We were lucky to catch up with Teja Bevill recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Teja , 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.

At NailPharm®, we’ve reimagined the press-on nail experience by elevating it beyond the industry standard. Our team of skilled nail technicians and artists handcraft each set of press-on nails, ensuring top-notch quality and consistency. We understand that many people are accustomed to store-bought options, so we strive to communicate the superiority of our products.

Innovation doesn’t stop with just the nails; we’re revolutionizing customer accessibility through our website and unique press-on nail vending machines. These machines make NailPharm® products as conveniently available as drugstore alternatives, without compromising on quality. Though we aren’t the pioneers of nail vending machines, we proudly hold a leading position in this niche market and continuously strive for improvement.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hey there! I’m Teja Bevill, a 25-year-old entrepreneur from Denver, Colorado. I’m the proud founder of NailPharm®, where we offer an amazing alternative to traditional press-on nails that’s way more budget-friendly than hitting the salon. Our nails are handmade and top-quality, unlike those cheap mass-produced ones you might’ve seen before. Besides our great nails, we also sell our own line of nail supplies.

Growing up in a family of educators, I was always told that life without a college degree would be tough. However, deep down, I knew I’d have my own business and be my own boss someday. Throughout my life, I’ve had loads of different jobs – from working in fast food and childcare to traveling and nannying, discovering what truly ignited my passion.

Outside of NailPharm®, I work in tech support at an educational research institute. It’s been 3 years now that I’ve been in this field and I’m loving it because it helps me stay updated with technology, which is super important for running NailPharm® successfully.

During the COVID lockdown, I stumbled upon handmade press-on nails. Nail salons were closed, and I didn’t enjoy going there anyway because they’d overcharge me and the results weren’t worth it. Then, I started seeing these press-on nail sets on my Insta feed a lot – not sure why the algorithm did that, but I got more and more intrigued. I saw ladies using pill bottles for eyelashes and always thought that was a nifty idea for packaging. Perfect for carrying around in a purse! So, with that idea in mind, I started brainstorming a name. That medical vibe of the bottle inspired me to create “NailPharm®,” a one-stop nail shop where getting your nails done feels like therapy. Way better than The Nail Pharmacy, don’t you think? “Nail Pharmacy” sounded boring but “NailPharm®” was catchy and brandable. To protect it, I applied for a trademark in 2021 and got registered in 2022 after a yearlong process. This step was crucial to build a solid foundation for my business.

What makes me proud is my resilience despite challenges. When I was pregnant, I had to temporarily close my business for 7 months, leaving my audience hanging. But hey, when I reopened, I bounced back stronger! That’s when I thought of the NailPharm® Press-on Vending Machine – an idea that turned into reality after 3 months of research.. You know what’s super cool about vending machines? They’re convenient! And honestly, we kinda lag behind here in the US compared to places like China and Japan, where you can find anything in a vending machine. So, I’m on a mission with NailPharm®️ to give you guys an innovative, accessible, and way cooler alternative to standard press-on nails and nail salons & I’m so excited to bring this game-changer to the market!

I’ve got a pretty versatile background, which has taught me solid customer service skills – and that’s what this brand’s all about. One thing I want my customers to know is that I’ve always had your back and worked my butt off with you in mind. Failures? Losses? Bring them on! They’re just stepping stones for me to learn and grow. We ship everywhere in the United States and we are available on Amazon! Can’t wait for you all to experience the awesomeness we’ve created!

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

At NailPharm®, what you see as the final package – the bottle, nails, and application kit – is put together by us in-house. We assemble them since they don’t arrive ready-made. The smaller components that form our product come from various sources. Finding bottles and application kits was easy, but the nails and nail foams are essential for ensuring quality and consistency.

Instead of crafting basic nail sets myself, I collaborate with local and international nail techs and artists to maintain high-quality products. I focus on managing the business side of things – graphics, email marketing, social media planning, website creation, inventory management – while my expert technicians create stunning nail sets.

Wondering how I started a nail biz without doing nails myself? It’s like how Rihanna runs Fenty as a singer. It’s all about that passion – I’m here to revolutionize the press-on nail scene!

Building relationships with manufacturers is crucial. I leave reviews each time I order to show my appreciation. Consequently, they look out for me in various ways. Our nail foam and press-on nail partners play a significant role in our business’s success, and we’re grateful for their support. The biggest lesson I’ve learned in regards to manufacturing is having 1 or 2 backup vendors just in case your main one falls through or is not available at the time you need.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

So, I put my tax returns into NailPharm® for two years straight, investing around $20k of my own money. I guess that shows how determined I am, right? Sure, I could’ve started with less inventory and spent less. But being stubborn, I didn’t follow the advice from a video I watched about not buying too much inventory. I just wanted to be ready – not the best move for a new brand, I admit.

If I could do it all over again, that’s the one thing I’d change. Fortunately, a family member has been a silent investor, helping us make major moves like marketing our vending machine at Sugarloaf Mills Mall and Eastdale Mall (where we spent a year) and getting licensing contracts with the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC). We have active licenses for the University of Alabama, Alabama State University and Tuskegee University.

I don’t plan on bootstrapping forever; in time, extra capital will be essential to scale up. So I’m constantly seeking grant opportunities and potential investors.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.NailPharm.com
• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/nailpharm
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/nailpharm
• Twitter: www.Twitter.com/nailpharm
• Other: www.amazon.com/nailpharm