Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jasmine Lewis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jasmine, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
I can honestly say that one of the scariest decisions that I made in my life was to quit my 9 to 5 job to pursue working for myself. I’ve always wanted the ability to live my life on my own terms, and owning my own business has afforded me just that. So yes, I am 100% happier!
Right now, I am doing this interview from Jamaica and had I been working for someone else I wouldn’t be able to be here right now.
It is a lot more work being a self-employed business owner, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Jasmine Lewis. I am 28 years old and I specialize in Acrylic Nails & Nail Art. I am a Licensed Nail Tech and Nail Educator and I also run an Online Nail Supply Store.
I first took interest when I was around 16. I used to go to the beauty supply store and buy the nail kits and just do nails on myself. There is where my passion started.
I didn’t decide to take nails seriously until my world took a drastic turn in 2018. Everything I knew and loved was suddenly gone. I lost my job, relationships that I valued, my apartment… I literally had to start all over. I had to do a lot of soul searching and in this time nails was the only thing that brought peace in my life. I found myself watching videos for hours and hours on end. One day, I just decided to just go out and buy all the starter material. I spent about $200 that day and I haven’t looked back since.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
Of course… As I stated I started doing nails in 2018, at the time I was starting a new job because I recently been laid off from my last employer.
I worked as a Teller Supervisor from 8:30am-5pm and built my nail business from 5:30pm-10pm. I worked outside of my home initially and then rented my first booth. I worked out of that salon for almost a year to grow my clientele. There I can say I started to learn myself as a Nail Tech. Eventually, I felt that I was starting to outgrow the space so I sought out my own suite. Going from paying commission to transitioning to a suite rent would have been a big difference so I had to have a “come to Jesus” moment and really weigh out my options.
I was working part-time taking 2 clients in the evening after work and if I’d continue doing that while paying suite rent, it wouldn’t have made any financial sense. I had to make a choice. Continue working both my 9-5 and side hustle or just go all in and bet on myself and God? … and with that the choice was clear. I’m gonna bet on God everytime cause he hasn’t failed me yet. It was scary going from a solid paycheck to being self employed but I knew that God wouldn’t have brought me so far to just leave me where I was and I was right. Had I not took that leap of faith, I would have been still stuck in the same miserable cycle that I was living.
It’s been almost two years since I’ve made that decision I make more money than I did working for someone else. I started teaching one on one courses and have had the honor of having 5 students (and counting) under my belt. My clientele is steady and my schedule 85% of the time is full. I’ve also been blessed to have done nails for the amazing R&B Diva, Miss K. Michelle! So I can say, I have no regrets.
One thing I can say I am most proud of is starting my own acrylic powder line. I always known that I wanted to have my own brand but I didn’t want to have just ANYTHING. As a nail tech that cares, I value and prioritize having quality products to use on my clients and cover powders are one of the things that is ESSENTIAL to a nail techs process. But finding a reliable vendor was definitely a struggle. I was blessed to find a quality vendor to help me achieve my dream of starting my own acrylic powder line and launched The Eight28 Collection on July 1, 2022. I offer 6 colors of cover powders online and is now expanding to glitter powders and nail art supplies January/February 2023.
I have not reached where I want to go as yet but I know there is more in store for me.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
For sureeeee! If I could credit any one source that has significantly impacted my entrepreneurial thinking would be my time spent in network marketing with a company named “World Ventures”. I joined WV at 19 years old. At the time I was surrounded by people that had an amazing view on life and a different way of thinking that I was used to.
They encouraged us to read a lot of books and do a lot of personal development.
Some books I can name:
“How to win friends and influence people” “The Secret” “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” “Think & Grow Rich”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.eight28collection.com
- Instagram: @TheNailDripper, @TheEight28Collection
Image Credits
@shotby.twoods @Karvisual