We recently connected with Kalena Williams and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kalena thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Our company is named after my late grandmother Jessie Monroe who was unable to wear nail polish due to the chemicals in them hence the reason for our polishes being vegan. With that being said, your wellbeing is our #1 priority. We create 100% toxic-free nail polishes with professional-grade quality that dry within 45-60 seconds.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Kalena Williams and I’m the proud owner of Jessie Monroe Nail Care. While working a full time city job and being a mom to a 10 year old young man and wife to my amazing husband, I somehow find time in my day to run my nail polish business without going completely insane.

I’m super proud of how far my sister Kristina and I have been able to grow our business within 4 years. Although the road to success is bumpy, stressful, challenging but yet rewarding at times.

Non-toxic nail polish has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. Traditional nail polishes often contain harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), which can have adverse effects on our health. By choosing non-toxic nail polish, we prioritize the well-being of our customers, offering them a safer alternative that doesn’t compromise their health.

For me, owning a non-toxic nail polish company goes beyond providing a healthier option. It serves as a way to honor the memory of our late grandmother, who battled cancer and being a diabetic which made it difficult to enjoy certain beauty products and regimens. Witnessing her struggle inspired me to create a brand that promotes safer beauty choices, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about the products they use.

By offering non-toxic nail polishes, we aim to raise awareness about the potential dangers of conventional nail polishes and provide a solution that allows individuals to express their personal style without compromising their health. It brings me immense joy to know that we can contribute to a movement that prioritizes wellness and self-care.

Moreover, non-toxic nail polishes are not only better for our health but also for the environment. They are typically free from harmful toxins that can contaminate our ecosystems and harm wildlife. By choosing non-toxic formulas, we actively participate in preserving our planet’s natural beauty and ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.

In creating this non-toxic nail polish brand, We have also found a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Being able to make a positive impact on people’s lives by offering a product that aligns with their values and promotes their well-being is incredibly rewarding. It is a testament to the love and respect we have for my late grandmother and the lessons she taught me about the importance of taking care of ourselves and the world around us.

While growing our brand we were able to support organizations that we hold near and dear to our hearts such as Miss Black USA, Endo Black ( awareness of endometriosis) and many Breast Cancer Awareness organizations.

A few of our proudest moments have been our interview with Ojinika from Pix 11 news and our products featured on Good Morning America and in InStyle Magazine many times.

Have you ever had to pivot?

While working as a full time city worker, I enrolled in Beauty School at night to become a licensed Nail Technician. I had dreams to open up a non toxic nail salon for all. While in beauty school I quickly pivoted towards nail products due to the lack of non toxic beauty products.

Our 1st choice of product was Vegan Gel Polish. With no guidance and help from anyone, we went with the best reviewed company overseas however our focus was totally wrong. We started selling our vegan gel products to salon owners and nail techs. This targeted audience did not align with what we wanted to be known for or represent.

In 2019 during the early part of Covid, we decided to switch our whole approach and focus. We realized we wanted to attract and help the people at home who are unable to afford a salon manicure or pedicure. We wanted to provide a product that’s made in the USA, non toxic and easy to use. After many experiments and testing with several USA manufacturers, we found 1 that fit our needs.

Making the switch during Covid was scary and risky however it was the best decision ever. During Covid we were able to provide people with salon quality polishes that were non toxic and easy to use. We were able to educate out customers about the safety hazards and safety measures to take when picking a nail polish, salon and other nail care products.

This pivot was the best for us.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

As a full time city worker, my goal is to leave the city structure and invest every minute of the day into Jessie Monroe Nail Care.

Although that’s my goal, I had to leave the steady income, great health benefits and perks of being a city work. Being a city worker helps me fund new ideas and products for Jessie Monroe Nail Care. However it also stumps the growth of JMNC. With unpredictable overtime, schedule changes and stress of working for the city, it slows the development and growth of JMNC.

My sister Kristina who helps with running JMNC is a stay at home mom and that helps tremendously with maintaining the day to day business. Overall our Goal is to be 100% workers for our own business by 2025.

During this year of 2024, we’re aiming put JMNC in the perfect position to grow and make it profitable so we can be our own Boss and provide non toxic products to our nail community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jessiemonroenailcare.com/
• Instagram: @jessiemonroenailcare
• Facebook: @jessiemonroenilcare
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalena-williams-b6648b245?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Twitter: @jmnailcare
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@JessieMonroeNailCare?si=t5mzYVtL-2Ofa6iW