We recently connected with Melanie Eggleston and have shared our conversation below.

Melanie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?

Initially when I think about if I could go back and start my business sooner I would scream YES! My hands and body would scream it as well. But when I sit and really think about it, I’m not sure if that would have been a better outcome. I started my business as a result of a lay off. I always wanted to be a nail salon owner but I put those dreams on hold. I went to school, entered corporate America and thought that was the best thing to do. I use many of the things I learned in corporate America within my business on a regular basis. Those experiences really gave me an in-depth view on customer service. If I could go back it would only be a few years earlier and that would just allow me to have started nail school earlier and gain more hands-on experience. There is never going to be a perfect time to start any business.

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?

I have always loved doing nails and toes. I remember doing my friends’ nails in high school and college. I just really enjoyed it. It was therapeutic. I could always be caught painting my nails during gatherings such as birthdays and super bowl games. When I went and got my nails and toes done I would always marvel at the process. I was in awe of it and everything that accompanied it. I created a business plan for nails a long time ago. It has changed several times and of course it has changed to what it is today but I still have that first business plan. It serves as a reminder to keep going. I would always ask for nail supplies as gifts from my parents. I had nail kits and more but I didn’t pursue nails. Instead, I went to college. I received my BS in communications, my MA in management and marketing and my MBA. After that, I just thought maybe I’d only own the nail salon of my dreams; not work in it. That is what I held on to – or so I thought.

I remember a few years before I made the leap to do nails I inquired about nail school. I went to a spa to get my nails done and there I was again asking the nail technician questions about her process and how she got started. She agreed with me that there aren’t many nail schools around. I had been doing my research and hadn’t fully accepted the idea that I may have to complete the entire cosmetology program just to do nails. I wasn’t happy with that because I was not interested in hair at all.

Fast forward to a few years later. I was having my second child and while in the hospital recovering things weren’t going well. I was struggling and didn’t know why. I was not feeling well, I was weak and was searching for answers. Finally on December 1st 2017 I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis. This was life changing for me. I changed my diet and my outlook on life. This was a major reason I decided to go after my dreams and goals.

Fast forward again to 2018. At my job we got an email that voluntary layoffs were happening. This is something that I had been asking for but didn’t know what to do when I was finally faced with it. I took some time and thought it through. Of course my thoughts went to nails. I recently looked into an apprenticeship program but it would be another few months before it was available. Now with this layoff happening I decided to look up nail schools since it had been a while. Low and behold there were a few schools!!! I got a plan together and decided to take the step to leave.

Who knew a layoff would propel me forward and take me exactly where I always dreamed I would be.

I left my job, started nail school that next month and continued on from there. I knew I wanted to learn more about feet so I took an advanced pedicure class in Chicago. Right after that I received my Certified Master Pedicurist certification shortly after. Since then, I have pursued my passion and love of feet vehemently.

I recently expanded my salon and was set to open in 2021 however many setbacks caused the opening to be delayed for a year.

OMN shop is a health focused boutique nail salon. We are all about nail health, not just aesthetics. We are where health, nails and feet collide! We partner with podiatrists, dermatologists, foot care brands, nail care brands and other nail specialists to bring you a holistic approach to nail and foot care.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My dreams were finally coming true! I found a location and was set to begin the build out and would be moved in a few months later. Sounds simple however, that is not how it happened. I had many delays that occurred time and time again. My experience wasn’t easy but I wasn’t giving up. One of the first things and most notable was the ability to obtain the permit to begin the majority of the work. Covid caused delays in my county’s offices. They were short staffed and not open for regular business. Once the offices were open to the public I was going to the building myself instead of waiting on my contractors to go. I would call, send emails, etc. I was willing to do whatever it took to get the process moving. The delays caused so much financial strain on myself and my family. I had friends inquiring and in my corner to do what they could to get the process moving as well. This went on for months. I think that if I had not stayed diligent this would not have moved forward. In the meantime I had to be resilient by finding various places to work while I waited for an entire year. I had to pivot and take my business into directions that I hadn’t initially thought of. I was not going to let go of everything that I worked so hard for so I pressed forward.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Word of mouth has been the best source of new clients. If one client tells another person – BOOM- you have two clients and so-forth. I think that people want to go to someone that they can trust. If your best friend, mother, boyfriend, carpool mom, drinking buddy, cuddle buddy, boo etc. trusts them then it’s worth it to give them a shot. 😂

Contact Info:

• Website: www.omnshop.com
• Instagram: omnshop
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theomnshop/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp80yJxEuLx8wZqGbC3agoA

Image Credits
Ryan Roundtree