Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tekia Young. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tekia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you take vacations? Why or why not?

Vacationing is my favorite thing to do. Who doesn’t love sunny skies, white sand, and blue waters? Although it’s looked at as a luxury experience I do think it’s a necessity. It’s always great to be able to unplug and do exactly what you want even if that means doing nothing. Vacations for me always feel like a reset. It gives me a chance to clear my mind and return better than I was. I am a one woman show so I think that makes it a little easier for me. It helps a lot that my services are appointment based and I have the flexibility to make days and hours available as I see fit. My advice to other business owners is to just take the vacation. Even with your own business you need boundaries because it’s easy to overwork yourself. I’m also a firm believer that if you don’t take a break your body will do it for you and I promise that “vacation” won’t be as fun as the one you plan.

Tekia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi, I’m Te’Kia and I own and operate Snobish Beauty in Durham, N.C. We are a gel based nail salon and offer natural nail care and gel extensions. We are acrylic free therefore we are able to provide an environment free of heavy fumes.

Prior to getting into nails I felt stuck and stifled. At the time, I was 35 and almost a decade in to a career that no longer brought me joy. It was time to move on and I decided that I wanted my next venture to be reflective of my personality and something that allowed me to be creative. I’m guilty of recycling many interests over the years but the one that has been with me the longest (since childhood) is my obsession with nails. The colors, lengths, shapes, and designs would always catch my eye. I was amazed at how anyone could beautifully execute art on canvases as tiny as nails. I was good at polishing but art was never anything I ever even considered that I’d be able to do. Despite my lack of experience with nail art I signed up for and completed nail school. It’s funny because my classmates would always talk about how good they thought I was at art when we would practice in class. Most times I was shocked too because I didn’t realize I was capable. A lot of the time it’s not that you don’t know how to do something, it’s just that you’ve never tried. I currently don’t have a single client who doesn’t leave with art. Many of them have told me that they’ve been turned away at traditional salons because they were told that their nails were too little for art. It has been my pleasure to provide many with first time experiences and see their faces light up when they see that the finished product is exactly what they were hoping for. I love making them feel beautiful and seeing the increase in confidence as they are leaving the salon.

Have you ever had to pivot?

My whole nail journey was born as a result of pivoting. After completing nail school and becoming licensed I started working at a well known and established nail salon. The clients were plentiful and my appointments were filled before I was even able to complete training. It was a very fast paced environment and I learned a lot. Due to personal obligations I wasn’t able to stay in that role long and I had to leave the salon. I realized then that my situation with the shop experience was unique. Many beginners start with nothing. I walked in the door and everything was provided and readily available including the people. When I left I had none of that. I was truly going to be starting from the bottom and building my way up. I told anyone who would listen that I did nails, I passed out flyers in public spaces, and I offered free sets in exchange for promotion. I had made connections with other local nail techs who have supported me by promoting me on their pages and referring clients to me who were closer to my location. All those things combined (over time) got me here. My clients are now plentiful.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Word of mouth! I know it’s cliche but it’s so true. I can’t tell you how many times my clients have come in and told me their experiences with random people who saw their nails and wanted to know who their nail tech was. Social media is another. Don’t let low follower counts and likes fool you. They’re always watching and admiring even if it’s from afar.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://snobishbeauty.as.me/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snobishbeauty?igsh=MTA4Nm1iZHpkbHRoOQ==