Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My inspiration in business is the ability to create products, events and a work environment that caters to creatives. Through my business I can use art to place autonomy and choice at the forefront of my life and work to incorporate it into the world around me. Art and fashion are the best examples of how anyone can exercise autonomy and choice. Nail art is a huge part of that movement and it inspires me to keep creating.

How do you stay motivated?

My motivation comes from being able to create art in a way that represents freedom. Nail art, to me, is a form of rebellion that represents how women, especially Black women, change and reshape the restrictive culture in our society. Regardless of where you are and what you are wearing, nail art can bring you a sense of joy, freedom, happiness and a sense of self. Press on nails offer that versatility to people with jobs where they cannot wear long nails daily. Nail art represents freedom.

What would you do with the $25,000?

The $25,000 would go towards expanding the business to make it more profitable and have a greater reach. $2000 towards nail equipment and stock materials, to enhance processing time. $2000 for marketing and visuals. $8000 for trademarking, legal expenses, personnel and operational expenses for the year. $3000 towards our first fashion and educational events. $1000 as a partial scholarship awarded to someone interested in the nail industry. The rest will be budgeted similarly for next year.