We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mckenna Raymond a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Mckenna, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
The biggest risk I’ve taken is entrepreneurship. Being an entrepreneur was the only route destined for me & I took the necessary risks & sacrifices to get me here & further .
With the perspective of my upbringing it wasn’t/isn’t normal to work for yourself . It was either go to work or go to school . I chose to do both. I knew I loved beauty , artistic , creative , free-minded things but it wasn’t something that was foreseeable for my parents. I went ahead and went to nursing school , made it to clinicals & I quit to pursue my nail/beauty career. That’s when I knew I was undoubtedly ready for the path God has for me .
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
What sets me apart is that I know the importance of being myself & I make a comfortable space for my clients for them to be themselves as well. We not only talk about nails we also talk about life & things a woman naturally goes through. If they come with a problem , we’ll find a solution together before they leave. I have a bond with my clients ; a family tied so to say. Respect is the tying connection I have with them & they all desire to see me become as big as I imagine myself. I’m most proud of my perseverance & humbleness! One keeps me going & the other one keeps me steady.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The biggest lesson I had to unlearn was that dreams weren’t achievable. The modern time we’re in now makes everything thing look so easy and doable. In an average African American home most of our parents weren’t able to even begin to dream about another life. other than the life they knew ; on top of needing to economically provide. I chose to break that cycle . I knew I didn’t want to do anything that would strip me from my identity & im glad I chose to do so. Chasing your dreams feels completely different once you’ve captured them.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Things begin to pivot for me after 3 years of working in a nail salon. I started craving my own space & being in my own aura. I found the suite I wanted & I went for it . As I worked at the salon; on my breaks I would walk over & paint a wall everyday . After that I begin decorating , assembling my products & I prayed over my suite. I took a leap of faith and begin working in my suite and never looked back. Everything that comes with it ; I face it head on and keep pivoting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://roulettenails.as.me/schedule.php
- Instagram: mckennasharmainee
- Twitter: xmckennaaaa