Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shauna Wright. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Shauna, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
Well 2013, I was laid off from my job and I was getting my nails done every 2 weeks, and then I couldn’t afford it anymore. This was around the time where the at home gel systems had just come out, so I bought one, did my nails, my moms nails and realized…oh…this was fun. I practiced on my roommate at the time, and realized well in order for me to make money, I’ll need to get my license. So I found a nail technology school near me, In Virginia it’s 150 hours to sit for the state board. I sat for the state board, passed and my nail career started. Soon after passing state board, I found another full time job and was still pursuing my nail career part time. First starting out, I was scared that no one would want me to do their nails, so I started out of my apartment. Soon after I moved to Maryland and bought a townhouse, switched my license to Maryland and began taking clients at my home. After about a year, I found a full service salon to work in. I worked there for 3 years, as i built my clientele and perfected my craft. After being there for 3 years, I ventured out to my own salon suite. I quit my 6 figure job to pursue nails full time in 2018. After 18 months of being a full time entreprenuer and the toll it had taken on my mentally, physically, and emotionally I went back to work August 2019, right before COVID. Im back to working full time and doing nails part time. I’ve had many feelings about the beauty industry as I’ve tried to quit and retire multiple times but it keeps pulling me back in, which only means that this is where im supposed to be.
Shauna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Shauna Wright, my brand is NailsDoneWright. When i was thinking about what to call myself, NailsDoneWright came to mind randomly as a play on my last name (which is now my maiden name). My focus is on natural nail health. I only provide gel services, gel manicures, structure and hard gel services. I sell merch with cute nail quotes on my website and I am the co-founder of Black Nail Tech Collective, that isn’t geared specifically towards Black Women, it’s called Black Nail Tech Collective bc the Founders are Black. It’s a collective of Licensed Nail Professionals coming together as colleagues to talk, network, build relationships and create a positive space for nail professionals. Im most proud of connecting with beauty professionals making a slight difference in their experience in the nail world, whether it’s giving advice and only advice where i’ve had experience or talking them through specific situations as a beauty professional.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
When starting out, its best to be consistent, punctual and professional at all time. Entrepreneurs are held to a different standard in regards to customer service. If a customer sees that you are learning, growing and you show consistency and professionalism they will become a client. Understanding the difference between a customer and client is crucial when growing your clientele, as a customer is someone who may get services every so often, a client is someone who books their maintenance appointments regularly on a consistent basis. Communicating with your clients on how to take care of their nails in between appointments will help retain them as well, bc they will trust you to tell them the truth and the last thing….always be yourself. Never pretend to be something you’re not, or know something that you don’t know.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I honestly don’t know if I have a reputation per say, but my work is noticeable, bc i’ve made it a point to make sure every client that sits in my chair matches the work they saw on my social media. What people see what is what they want, and I pride myself on giving clients exactly what they ask for. In the nail world, i think my instagram name is catchy so maybe people know that but as far as a reputation, I think im known for clean cuticles, pictures, angles clean polishing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nailsdonewright.net
- Instagram: @nailsdonewright
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NailsDoneWright2
Image Credits
Shauna wright