Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maddy Conklin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Maddy, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

I don’t think there’s necessarily one “correct” answer to this, because success looks SO different for everyone. For me, success is less of a destination and more of a mindset. I firmly believe it takes a mix of resilience, consistency, and the willingness to keep evolving. Especially when you’re working for yourself and constantly creating, there’s rarely a moment where you feel like you’ve really made it.

I try to celebrate the wins, big or small, but I’m always pushing myself to be more, do more, make more—whatever that looks like in the moment. I think that drive to keep going, learning, and evolving is what success really comes down to, even on the hardest of days. Keep showing up and keep it moving.

Maddy, 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?

Hey, I’m Maddy! I’ve been in the beauty industry for over a decade, but nails are where I found my true passion. I started in customer service and serving before opening my own salon—which has been one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of my journey. Since then, I’ve built a business rooted in creativity, quality, and connection.

I specialize in detailed, hand-crafted nail art, Gel-X extensions, lashes and tooth gems. I am also expanding into education with classes for both beginners and advanced nail techs—offered in person, online, and one-on-one. My goal is to make learning feel accessible, supportive, and empowering.

What sets me apart is that I’m not just here to do nails—I’m here to help people grow. Whether it’s making clients feel confident or helping other artists level up, I aim to create a space where people feel seen and inspired.

One of my proudest moments was being featured in The Baltimore Sun as one of the top three salons in Howard County. But what means the most to me is the trust and relationships I’ve built—mostly through word of mouth. This brand is personal, and I pour everything I’ve got into it every single day.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots I’ve ever made was during the middle of COVID. I had spent about five years doing hair and seven years in the restaurant industry, and I truly thought that’s where I was going to stay forever. But when the pandemic hit, everything changed. Salons shut down, routines disappeared, and I had a lot of time to reflect – I realized my passion had started to shift.

That’s when I made the scariest leap of my career: I walked away from hair and went all in on nails. It was terrifying. I was basically starting over in a brand new niche, during one of the most uncertain times in the world. But I fully trusted my gut, leaned into the fear, and figured it out step by step.

It took a lot of learning, patience, and perseverance, but I kept going. And now, I can confidently say it was the best decision I could have made. I built something I love—something that feels 100% me. That experience taught me that sometimes the scariest jumps lead to the most fulfilling growth. Do things scared – you won’t regret it!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Something I had to unlearn is that all money is good money. In the beginning, I thought being a good person in business meant always being kind, always saying yes, and taking on every client or opportunity that came my way. But I QUICKLY came to realize that being too accommodating can lead to burnout and being taken advantage of.

Setting boundaries is absolutely vital in this industry. It doesn’t make you rude, it makes you professional. This business is tough, and not every dollar is worth your energy or peace. I had to learn that protecting my time, my work, and my mental health isn’t just okay—it’s necessary.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://enchantedstudios.glossgenius.com/
• Instagram: @enchantedstudiosdmv