We were lucky to catch up with Manami Takagi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Manami thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Yes I could earn a full-time living from my creative wok. well, I was really lucky. Since COVID happen, the artists couldn’t work then many artists went back their home country. And then, our salon looking for some nail artists. But nobody wants come to USA from Japan. That’s why my owner hired me. The first time I was super nervous to do nails because I couldn’t speak English fluently. I just used to it. Doing complex nail art is already hard but we also need to talk our clients sometimes.

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

I’m nail artist. I do nails for clients. Most of our clients want to do art for their nails. For trip, birthday, wedding, etc. They want to special nail like really complex art. And they bring some pictures, and we do. Most of their pictures are possible. I do almost all art if they want. Sometimes it’s super complex and I’ve never done it before. But I really love to try that I’ve never done before. When I start nails, I’m always scared to do nail for client because I don’t know what they want last minute. Eleanor Roosevelt said “Do one thing everyday that scares you.” I’m always thinking about this word in my head. Do something new is super scary but when you done it, we don’t scared anymore.
Sometimes I need to go to house call for famous actresses or musicians or celebrities. It’s make me nervous and so many pressure.

New Yorker doesn’t have much time, so we’ve need to finish on time. We need to perfect art and quickly. It’s so hard. But people want to, so I do my best even they late. Some artists upset when they late, because we have so many clients after her. But I’m always try to keep my temper because I want to make happy to my client.

My work need so many patience.
I do multi-art. Almost everything. I wish I have specific type of art. So I have many potential, I guess.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I’m nail artist now. In the future, I want to support young people who doesn’t know what to be. I realized nail artists have many potential. Like make jewelry, paintings, something handmade.

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

Don’t be afraid of failure. When I started nail art, I need to pay a lot of money. I was reconsidering. Is it worth it for my future? What if my eyes has problems? What if AI do nail? Don’t think before you do.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @luckY__pool