Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Bychkova.
Hi Natalia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My passion for nail designs truly began at a very early age. I didn’t develop a love for art, it’s a passion in my blood. My dad used to paint back in Russia before he started his successful car painting business. Growing up, my mom and my grandma were my “customers” and I would paint their nails, even playtime with my girlfriends included me doing their nails. When I first heard about Art school, I wished to enroll more than a kid wishes for their most desired Christmas present. And imagine the level of happiness of a seven year old when my parents let me go to the Art school, which I successfully finished in five years. Fast forward to the time after high school, it was time to get a degree. With my parents help I chose a completely opposite major than I thought I would choose. They told me I would do best working with people due to my ambitions and personality. Little did I know at that time how my major in Human Resources would become essential for me. This education helped me to manage and grow my business as well as to communicate with people. It was the right decision.
In 2014, I made another huge decision and moved to the United States. Young and ambitious, I started to learn the language and got to know the culture while working in the restaurant in a bakery station. Although I was working, making new friends and exploring the country, I was drawn to art and it never stopped. I continued doing nails for my friends as a hobby. It was constantly on my mind and I wanted to do more. In 2017, despite some doubts and fears, I followed my dream to become a nail artist. I got my cosmetology license and started working for a salon. I can’t begin to express how happy I was and It felt like my dreams came true! After a year of a great experience working with people and understanding the business I felt that I could do more. I had a unique skill of e-file manicure technique and I decided to open my own salon in August 2018. I didn’t have many clients but I had so much support from my husband and my parents. I was also advertising my business on Instagram and Facebook and of course through word of mouth.
As a result of working hard and pursuing my dream just two months after opening I was fully booked three months in advance. It was thrilling and terrifying at the same time but it felt good! I realized that I couldn’t stop there. The key to success for me is to always learn new techniques, keep developing my skills, and be up to date on trends in the nail industry. I started to travel more for classes, I was taking education classes for myself every three months, some of them online, some of them in person. I was investing into myself a lot and trying to get only the best equipment for my studio; especially sterilization environment. The longer I lived here the more I saw how the nail industry was picking up. I wanted to share my experience with other nail techs and bring good into our community.
In 2019, I felt like I was ready. I got my instructor license and I relocated to a bigger studio in February 2020 to be able to provide group classes, literally before the pandemic started. I had so many plans and many upcoming classes fully booked, but it all got canceled since the virus had started. However, I didn’t give up. I started thinking ahead and created online classes with an advanced class of e-file manicure technique and I was able to keep my business alive during hard times. As I was teaching classes and making connections with aspiring nail technicians, I recognized the need in the community for a nail supply store. My husband and I opened our online store this last summer. Now I teach classes in person and offer my students great tools to purchase after the class completion. I am finally ready to build my team and look forward to hiring perfectionists to help level up their skills. I truly believe that if you or your business have a product or service that sets you apart from the rest, you can become successful. One of my proudest moments in my business is when my work gets published by magazines like Bazaar and Glamour. I am also personally proud when I see my student’s success. In just two short years I have successfully opened a beautiful studio / education center where my clients can get a high quality, long lasting, and sterile gel manicure. My nail technicians can upgrade their skills and start a new career. It’s been a dream come true!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The hardest part for me was to simply start. Once I overcame my fears everything fell in pieces. The envision of my goals helped me push through anything that felt hard at that time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Nail Art house studio/education center?
Welcome to Nail Art House, where creativity, design, quality, unique international experience and featuring in “Glamour” and “Harper’s Bazaar” mags speaks for itself. We believe that you can have beautiful high-quality manicure without having to expose yourself to the toxins and chemicals. Also, your safety our top priority. All our implements are disinfected using hospital grade sterilization procedures. Our mani-pedi nail platform cleaning procedures are done by special highly-efficient technique, that keeps nails clean and healthy longer then usually. When it comes to design, this is what makes us truly unique. Due to professional art painting experience earned through years, we can perform variety of design options based on individual approach, that any other places cannot. Come in, and experience a difference that you will not forget!
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is the love to my profession. I have had this passion inside me for as long as I can remember and it has been growing through constant education and development. I fulfill my passion with investing in myself, finding time for shopping, massage and other self-care routine. In my opinion the work life balance is the key.
Contact Info:
- Email: nataliabychkova7@gmail.com
- Website: thenailarthouse.com
- Instagram: _nail_art_house_
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