We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sharon (Shay) Newell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sharon (Shay) below.

Hi Sharon (Shay), thanks for joining us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

I am the backbone of my organization and I employ one person, my daughter. Everything I do comes from my heart and the amazing set of skills that I’ve accumulated over the years. For my press on nails, I wanted something that was more than a one-time order process (although I have that as well) so I created my monthly subscription process. Every subscriber gets two sets of nails a month with two application kits. The sets are designed from a client profile that can be updated at any time from a private link. During our subscribers’ birthdays they get an extra special set and a gift. We love customizing our nails every month for our clients. It is our small way of letting them know they are intentionally thought of.

As a parent advocate I offer my 8 years of special education, 504, RTI, MTSS, and other skills at a discounted rate for Title I parents. This allows my clients the same excellent level of service without spending everything they have to help their students. I also allow Afterpay payments to make it easier and more accessible. My purpose with this entity of my business is to give back as much as I can by helping parents, students, and school staff understand the importance of treating each student as an individual.

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.

Shay Martin’s Designs is an enterprise founded by Sharon (Shay) Newell of Columbia, South Carolina. SMD was created to honor the memory of my late grandfather Sandy Martin Adams, as well as to create a path to generational wealth and in-house support in the community and family.

As an educator, I learned how to use several tech tools in the classroom and flipped them to work for my benefit as well. I designed my website. I learned how to create graphics in a professional learning meeting and created a free account for my business the next day. Every graphic I post or that is on my website was personally designed by me.

Being a renter means moving often and having to find someone you trust to do your nails in a new city. couldn’t find anyone that I wanted to see more than once so I learned how to make press-on nails from YouTube University and started making and wearing my own nails. I was asked repeatedly to do others nails but I knew I didn’t want to commit to a fixed schedule around my administrator duties. I decided to make and sell my own press on nails. This really gave me peace in finding ways to balance my mind when I feel stressed. My 12-year-old works at SMD as my Nail Model/Social Media Liason and she now knows what it feels like to earn her first paycheck. That kind of education is priceless.

Shay Martin’s Designs currently specializes in press-on nails, parent advocate services, small business coaching, wedding officiant services, and soon real estate!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In July 2022 I started redesigning my website and working on conducting beta tests for launch. I felt very “grown-up” and serious about what I was doing while working my full-time remote job. My plan was always to launch in December 2022. I was unexpectedly laid off in November 2022 and my side hustle became my only plan at that point. I poured everything I had into my business. This time cost me money, blood, sweat, and tears.

My launch was successful and SMD had 5 nail subscribers and 1 parent advocate client in its first 2 months of operation.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Shay Martin’s Designs was funded by severance pay when I was laid off. I had a very strict budget to ensure I could pay my bills and also purchase what I needed to get started. It was a scary time, spending money and knowing that nothing was coming in. Currently, SMD is funded by my full-time job as an educator.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shaymartindesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaymartindesigns/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShayMartinDesigns
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiEcFjJzDWQ8wnYCqbHnAWw