We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Minami. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Minami below.
Minami, appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
Art and creativity have been one of my hobbies since childhood, so I’m really happy to be able to work professionally as an artist even after I’ve grew up. Now I’m working as a nail artist over 10 years and the reason why I can keep working as a nail artist is I have a passionate for Nail art. I love making nail art, I love explore and create new things and I love communicate with other people. I would be like to maintain my curiosity and passion for my job, so I can say that I can’t have a regular job which I’m not interested in and I have to be an artist without doubt.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a nail artist based in New York and Japan. I got into this field when I was a teenager. I had been doing my own nails without any knowledge but when I had my nails done by a professional Nail artist for the first time in my life, I was captivated by his skillful hands, professional tools, and cool space. I still remember I was being moved by it. Also at that time, I realized that there is a job that I can make people happy through such wonderful and small things. My future vision had been hazy beforehand, but it became clear at that moment.
Since I became a nail artist, I’ve been working in the salon, but I’m also involved in the development of nail products, photoshoot for magazines, advertisements, and fashion. I love that nail art has potential as art, beauty, and people’s lifestyle. For example sometimes I may meet with my clients more often than their friends and family in the salon and in some cases I can be part of special occasions in their lives. Besides that I can make an impact to the world through social media, magazines and advertisements. I feel like the potential of nail art are unlimited and still hidden a lot.
So I’d like to many people to know that nail art and nail artists are wonderful beyond boundaries even different industries and other countries.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
During the covid pandemic in 2020, I quit the company I had worked for for many years and I was thinking about finding a different job. I couldn’t see my future ahead at the time. However, during the lockdown, I had time to face myself and realized that although I love my Nail artist job and I really wanted to take on more challenges and that I hadn’t reached my full potential, so I decided to work in New York. It’s quite difficult to make time to face myself in your busy daily life, and I think sometimes you don’t even realize that you’re lying to yourself. But after this experience, I learned that facing yourself is the most important thing and there is a possibility that you can change even your values and the quality of your life. I’d like to remind to today’s busy people that all choices are up to you and always remember to listen to your hearts.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I did not graduate from a famous university nor do I work at a major company. Also, Also, I made a big turnaround after I turned 30. However, I can still be active as a professional across the world. I’d like to reduce people’s judgments as much as possible and let them know that it’s never too late to challenge yourself no matter how old you are.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @nails_by_minami