We recently connected with Kaneeka Moore and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaneeka , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

The first time I knew I wanted to pursue a creative pathway professionally was when I first moved here to Texas. I didn’t have a job at that time so I spent a lot of time at home. I have always enjoyed doing nails in my pastime. So spending more time at home allowed me to cultivate my creative side. So I started to buy a lot of nail supplies and found myself creating different nail sets for hours at a time. I learned a lot of different techniques and creative inspiration on what I like to call the University of YouTube lol.

I honestly never considered being a nail artist as a profession until my ex-husband suggested I should take it seriously. After seeing how passionate I was about it. In that moment something clicked and I knew for sure this was the path I wanted to take. This was my passion, this was what I love to do, this was “My Thing.” I was one of those people who for the longest, I didn’t know what “My Thing” was. I’ve seen other people living in their purpose and doing what they were called to do. Telling me the things they were passionate about and pursuing their dreams. While I felt lost because I didn’t feel like I had anything I was passionate enough about to pursue.

I was so hung up on the fact that other people had their own thing they were good at and passionate about, that I overlooked my own. Sometimes we miss what is right in front of us because we are looking everywhere else. I couldn’t recognize myself that I was already doing “My Thing.” It took for someone else to point it out to me for me to realize that this was what I wanted to do for my profession and for my life.

Kaneeka , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For those who don’t know me, shame on you lol just kidding. But you should definitely get to know my brand Nail-ish ✌🏾. My name is Kaneeka Moore. I like to go by K not Kay. I am the owner of Nail-ish ✌🏾, a licensed nail artist, a content creator, small business consultant, fashion stylist, jewelry designer, crafty creator, founder of Power Over Pain (Go Fund Me). I am what my sister calls a Jackie of all trades. I was born and raised in Chicago IL. My dad’s side of the family is from Tyler Texas and no I have never been. I moved here in 2015 although I keep forgetting and saying 2016 lol.

I am obsessed with good food & skulls. I enjoy being adventurous and exploring new exciting places. I love beauty, fashion, nails, and all things Art. Which I have incorporated into my own business Nail-ish✌🏾. Nail-ish was created to embody all the things that I love. I originally got into my craft by it just being a hobby for me. Although I loved nails, fashion, art, and accessories. I couldn’t always afford to have them. So I first learned how to do my own nails. Then I came to find out that I really enjoyed the craft. I have always been pretty crafty when it comes to creating random things. I can do different hacks to fix things. When you don’t have the money to get what you want or to get things fixed. You tend to learn to make them or fix them yourself.

I originally started off with providing nail services for large events and in home. Once the pandemic hit I had to pivot and started making products. I tried my hand at press on nails a couple of years ago and it didn’t quite work out for me. I also didn’t really take it seriously because I was busy with services. Once everything shut down I had time to do more research and focus more on creating my own custom press on nail line. At that time the nails were all I was focused on until an old friend of mine suggested I added more products to sell. I had no clue what other products I could sell at the time because I put myself in a box of only doing nails. After serious consideration of what else I could do or learn to do. I started with what I loved personally. Which was fashion, jewelry, and art.

I had worked in a couple of luxury salons and they all had products outside of nails. They sold jewelry, selfcare products, etc. So I started to learn how to make bead bracelets. I loved it so much I learned how to make necklaces, earrings, rings everything I could and started my own jewelry line Envy-ish. After starting the jewelry line it happened again. Something just clicked and I was able to think more outside of the box and not limit myself to the possibilities of what I can do with my business. So I started to incorporate everything I love. I started to sell clothes and unique fashion bags. I learned how to make candles. I made small art pieces. I started to see more ways of making money and adding more products to my business.

When I originally came up with my business name Nail-ish ✌🏾. I wanted Nails to be my main focus but I also wanted to have more than just nail services. I just didn’t know then what else I would add to the nails. I didn’t know at the time of creating the name that it would align with what I have created over time. I now have multiple businesses under the Nail-ish umbrella. Envy-ish is my jewelry line, Style-ish is my fashion stylist service, and Boss-ish which is my small business highlighting service. Nail-ish ✌🏾 now offers custom press on nails, unique handmade jewelry, fashion bags and more.

Nail-ish ✌🏾 provides an experience. We offer unique pieces that allows people to embrace their own unique style. And inspires them to be different and think outside of the box. Most custom press on nails companies offers the same designed sets to everyone. Nail-ish ✌🏾 is only offers one of a kind nail designed sets. So once we have created a set for a client or for sell. We will NOT repeat that same design. We can do similar sets but NEVER the same. Because we believe in individuality and being like no one else. I personally love to be different and stand out on my own rather than being like ANYONE else. If everyone else is doing it or wearing it I DON’T‼️ I believe my originality is what sets me apart from others.

I am most proud of overcoming the many adversities I have experienced in my life and using them to create such a beautiful and meaningful company. Not only has it helped me to heal from my own past traumas and pushed me forward spiritually. It is actively helping others along their journeys to heal, feel love, and feel protected. I have had so many people tell me after a purchase of one of my unique handmade jewelry pieces. That they feel so much energy and notice a difference in their lives by wearing it. And that they never take them off. It makes my heart so full knowing that what I love to do is helping and inspiring other people in their lives. I put so much energy into what I do and knowing that other people can actually feel the energy is rewarding to me.

Although we need money to survive in this realm. It’s not always about the money. I literally give away so much of my work for free because I want to share my gifts with the world. It’s bigger than ME or money. I want other people to feel loved and protected. And to just over all feel good about themselves and life. So much chaos happens in the world and you never know what someone is going through or what their situation is. I do a lot of vendor events and a lot of people come to my booth and admires my work but can’t necessarily make a purchase at the time for whatever reason. I understand that because there are times that I want to support others businesses but I can’t. So in those cases when I am moved to do so. I will let people pick whatever they want off my table for free. Most people are initially surprised that I even offered. Some even try to turn it down but I insist. And if they don’t want to pick I pick for them. Kindness can change a person’s day or even life so why not be kind. I’m not saying give all your hard work away but kindness is free. A kind gesture is enough to make a difference in the world.

I believe that my brand Nail-ish ✌🏾 will be global and will impact so many people lives in a positive manner. Helping people along their journey of life. I don’t know who is reading this and may need to hear it. I know this might sound “cliche”. But if I can do it so can you. There has been many of times I just wanted to give up because it is not easy at all. Trying to balance everything from time, money, loved ones, etc is a struggle. I am not where I want to be in my business but I plan to grow there eventually. I know that anything worth having won’t come easy. And if it does come easy, it’s probably not worth having. I don’t quite have it all together I am learning as I go everyday through trial and error. I have joined business groups and taking classes to help me along the way because I understand I can’t do it all by myself. Running a business is all new to me. So I have learned to give myself some grace for the mistakes I’ve made and learn from them and keep moving forward.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my opinion I believe if society would support more small businesses, artist, and creatives over big brand businesses this along would create a thriving creative ecosystem. A lot of people would rather choose the convenience of going to a big brand store like “Walmart” etc. Than to find a small business, local artists, or creatives to support. I believe it has a lot to do with convenience as well as prices. The Big brand stores are not personally making their products. Most are third party items made in a factory by machines. So it’s easier to have a larger quantity and lower prices for some of the same items you can get from a small business, artist, or creative. The quality isn’t necessarily better nor are the ingredients used. So big brands are able to charge less because the cost of manufacturing most of the items are getting done by cheap laborers and or machines.

Where as Small businesses, artist, and creatives are doing everything themselves by hand. And also using unique materials and ingredients which can be more expensive. We have to account for our time we are spending to create these products, the care and energy we put into them, the quality, and the uniqueness of not everyone having the same thing. Big brands typically don’t form personal relationships with their customers. And most don’t off customized items and products to suit your individual wants or needs.

Yes you can go to a big brand store and get a art piece for your wall. Then you just become a another number under the big brands belt of people who have that same piece or items in their home or office. There has been plenty of times I’ve seen people with the same items and instantly knew exactly where they got them from. By supporting a small business, artist, or creative you are helping not only put them on the map for other people to support. But you are receiving unique products that an actual person created with their hands.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I truly believe that my mission here on earth is to restore the faith in humanity. By giving genuine love, showing support, and showing up as my authentic self unapologetically. I believe all these things help drive my creative journey and helps me stand apart from other creatives. I try my best to think outside of the ordinary standards when I am creating my custom press on nails and jewelry. When I buy third party items such as my fashion bags and clothes I go for the most unique eye catching pieces that other people may tend to look over because it doesn’t quite meet the traditional standards of what society calls normal or are accustom to.

Contact Info:

• Website: Nail-ish.com
• Instagram: @nail_ish_
• Facebook: Nail-ish
• Linkedin: Kaneeka Moore
• Youtube: Nail-ish Kay
• Other: Go fund me @Power over pain 🔐