We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kaneeka Moore. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kaneeka below.

Kaneeka , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

So I initially graduated with my degree in healthcare for Surgical Technology. Long story short, I HATED it lol. I have always been a fan of fashion, jewelry, and nails. Unfortunately there is absolutely none of those things allowed in the operating room. So when I moved here to Texas from Chicago I followed one of my passions which is nails. I originally came up with Nail-ish ✌🏾 when I was in beauty school because I just really loved doing nails. Still to this day, I literally can sit and just do nails and just be creative and make a variety of unique pieces for hours at a time.

After I graduated and got my first job at a luxury salon and worked there for about a year or so before they actually closed down. I was disappointed but the show had to go on. I moved on to another luxury salon and after a year of working there. I went and got my DBA as Nail-ish ✌🏾 and started to do home services and events on the side. I honestly was content with working for someone else because I didn’t have to deal with everything that goes into running a business. From the overhead, to the energy, stress, etc. I was just happy to be doing what I love. My life was just a routine of going to work and having Nail-ish ✌🏾 as my side hustle.

I tried my hand with press on nails but they really didn’t do well at the time. So I started to created unique functional small pieces of art and started to sell those. Things seemed to be running smoothly and out of nowhere Covid-19 hit and everything shut down‼️ That included my 9-5 and Nail-ish ✌🏾. Which were my only sources of income. I had so many different emotions at that time of uncertainty. I was terrified and honestly I didn’t know what to do or what I was going to do. At first I felt lost, afraid and alone because I don’t have family here in Texas. Then I felt disappointed and upset with myself because I felt like I hadn’t accomplished anything to leave behind. I seriously thought it was the end of the world.

I was so angry that I just depended on another job for my financial well being. After experiencing my first job closing down on their own accord. Now my second job having to do a mandatory shut down. It was very unsettling to my spirit that all these years I hadn’t even tried to create my mark to leave behind. This actually triggered my spiritual journey. I didn’t know and still don’t know how much time I have left in this world. But before I leave I want to be the best version of myself. While being ME freely and unapologetically. Doing everything that I love to do. Not settling with only working for someone else towards their own dreams & goals and not even having dreams & goals for myself!!

I had a friend who encouraged me to go from providing services to having actual products. I wanted the products to align with my spiritual journey & my brand. I used my creative juices and started making my own products. I started off with recreating my custom press on nail line. Which actually did very well the second time around. Everything was shut down and we were all quarantined so no one could actually go and get their nails done. It was a perfect alternative to going to the salon. I received a lot of support from social media where I received orders. I received good and bad feedback and made the necessary adjustments to fix any issues that occurred and still do today‼️

I then learned how to make bead bracelets, necklaces, then earrings. Which lead into my expanding and creating my Unique Jewelry line Envy-ish✌🏾. People loved the jewelry as well. From then on I knew that Nail-ish ✌🏾 was it‼️ That was my mark that I will leave behind. So I continue to add to my brand and my products align and embody Beauty, Fashion, Nails, and ALL THINGS ART. I have always been different than the people around me and my brand also embodys my uniqueness. I love being different and dance to the beat of my own drums‼️ That uniqueness is reflected in my products. The handmade ones (Press on nails & Unique Jewelry) as well as the third party ones (Clothes, Fashion Bags, etc). I like to be able to express myself through my clothes, nails, hair, and accessories. And there are other people just like me who want to do the same.

So I provide unique products to cater to people who embrace being different. In a world where so many people want to fit in. Nail-ish stands out‼️✌🏾 Custom press on nails makes it convenient for people who work in fields that can’t wear nails, and people who are too busy to go to the salon but still want unique nails. I believe my approach of offering custom designed press on nails excited me and my clients the most because they are one of a kind. Once I do a design for someone I won’t repeat that same design. This makes your set custom and uniquely designed just for you. So I would say that I was and am solving a problem that no one else was/is because I don’t do repeat designs for other clients. Similar but never the same.

Kaneeka , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Kaneeka Moore I am originally from Chicago, Il. I like to go by K just the letter. If I had to describe myself it would be crazy, fun, inspiring and chill. I have a degree in Surgical Technology but I have a love for the arts! Which is how I fell in love with doing nails and receiving my license for a manicurist. I am the owner of Nail-ish Corporation. Which embodies Beauty, Fashion, Nails, and all things Art✌🏾‼️

Nail-ish ✌🏾 provides custom press on nails, unique handmade jewelry, fashion bags, clothes and more. I am also a digital content creator across multiple social media platforms. I believe what sets me apart from others is I don’t mind being different. If everyone else is doing the same thing I don’t mind standing alone and doing my own thing. I believe in the unknown and that anything is possible with a little hard work and dedication. ESP is all you need!! Endurance, Strength, & Patience✌🏾Your past does not define your future ‼️

I am most proud of ME. Pushing hard for my brand, my willingness to sacrifice learned behaviors, change my mindset, and just being able to keep growing as a person as well as a business owner. Taking risks, learning from my mistakes, taking accountability for my choices, and making the necessary changes to keep moving up & forward. I’m really a private person when it comes to my personal life and experiences. But last year I actually opened up to the public when I started Lock & Key LLC ( Living, Loving, & Caring) which is my Power Over Pain movement. (https://gofund.me/7011306d ) I have also provided a link for more information and how to get involved. My P.O.P movement is here to help other people like myself to heal from any traumatic experiences they have encountered. To turn our pain into our power. So many people like myself have carried around so much baggage from unfortunate life experiences that it sometimes stops us from growing and experiencing the good parts life have to offer. I personally kept myself stuck by holding on to my pain. I didn’t know that keeping quiet about the things that hurt me wasn’t allowing me to heal. But making me a not so nice person.

I thought holding on to the pain was my power. I thought drinking all the time, smoking, and pills were the answer to making everything better. But it was really just holding me back from what I could do productively and my purpose. My purpose here is to restore faith in humanity ‼️ By being my true self unapologetically. I have a kind heart so naturally I attract a lot of takers. So I had to learn to set boundaries. I have learned to use my voice and speak my mind. Which in turn I hope will inspire others to run their own race as well. I see no competition with ANYONE but the person I use to be. When it comes to my business I am self taught so I try to improve on everything I create to make it the best for my clients. That way they will continue to be a client and send others my way. If I take care of them they will take care of me.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

Oh Lord lol this is still an ongoing process. I started to manufacture my own products in 2020. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing or how to do it correctly. My best guide still to this day is what I like to call the university of YouTube lol. YouTube has been my resource for how to create my products. From how to create press on nails and jewelry. What items I needed to get started and how to create them.

It has been a lot of trial and error when it comes to creating the press on nails and jewelry. I am literally still changing materials as I grow. I really appreciate my clients being patient with me when any mishaps occur. And allowing me to make it right. This is just making me become the best at my craft with the feedback of my products.

It can be frustrating on both the clients and myself when any issues arise. No one wants to buy something and it breaks or they feel they didn’t get their monies worth. And no business owner wants their products or brand to have a bad name. Or not be as good of quality as they thought. The lessons I’ve learned along the way with manufacturing products is to #1 test the new materials being used. #2 Understand that everyone is not the same and will not have the same experience with the products. #3 I’m not perfect. I can beat myself up a lot when my products are not perfect and someone does have an issue with a product. So I beat myself up less and just resolve the issue the best way I can.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

So when I first started and got incorporated I actually funded my business needs from my personal funds and unemployment. All businesses were closed down so we all had to be quarantined. I used every cent I had to buy the supplies I needed to get started. I originally just started with the press on nails and order a ton of supplies online. When I seen that the nails were doing well I then started to make jewelry. During that time the SBA were giving out EIDL loans and grants. It took me getting denied about 5 times before they actually approved me for a small loan and grant. So I was able to fund my business needs with the additional money I received. I currently still have a 9-5 so that I can supplement my income. I use my own personal funds today to help fund my business until my business is sustainable on its own. Being a business owner can really drain your finances. But sometimes we take risks to make a better future.

Contact Info:

• Website: Nail-ish.com
• Instagram: Nail_ish_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nailish.kay.9?mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Linkedin: Kaneeka S Moore
• Youtube: Nail-ish Kay ✌🏾
• Other: www.linktree/nail_ish

Image Credits
Kaneeka Moore