Today we’d like to introduce you to Stormi Matthews.
Hi Stormi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I started my nail journey as a kid. I watched my mother paint her nails meticulously, laying gold striping tape across long blood-red nails for her signature look. In high school, the local dollar store started carrying nail art brush polishes, and it wasn’t long before I was painting stars, stripes, flowers, and French tips on all of my friends’ nails. In college, it quickly became apparent I should look more into nails as a career as my list of ‘friends’ nails I was painting grew. I went to nail school in Utah, where I secured my license and my first salon job. I quickly learned more tips and tricks to help me further my craft before moving to Texas, where I gained a good clientele working at a local Austin salon focusing on natural nails. About 2 years later, with the support of my amazing clients, I could go off on my own, opening my first salon suite in 2016. I grew and flourished in that location for 4 years before Covid-19 became an obstacle, forcing me to close my physical location to focus on the health and safety of my clients. I pivoted during the pandemic to offering customized press-on nails and doing outdoor vendor events while searching for my next salon home. After a few short stints in other nail-related locations, I found a space to reopen my salon, finally focusing on my true love of nail art and breaking into the nail extension world! I credit my attention to detail, genuine care of my clients, and immaculate cleanliness to my success in the industry. I’m excited to start mentoring other nail techs just starting.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Doing the nails and loving the clients has always been smooth, but finding a nail home that could support my creativity has been difficult. The industry could use more people willing to lend a hand. As a professional, you must learn to trust your education and your instincts when it comes to people trying to direct you on growing; not everyone has your best interest at heart, but I want to help change that. There is so much opportunity in the world, and there is more than enough to go around, especially if we lift each other!
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in self-expression through nails. I spend much time hyping clients and getting them to step outside their comfort zone to try something artistic on their nails. The art can be anything from one nail that’s a different color to a glitter top coat, or if I’m lucky, a beautiful gradient ombre with something funky like a checkerboard on top the sky is the limit! I love seeing clients shed their old ideas of what their nails should or should not look like, breaking the mold for future generations!
What makes you happy?
Doing nails makes me happy! In my salon, I have a picture frame that says, ‘Do more of what makes you happy,’ I practice what I preach! I love talking with my clients, they truly become friends, and I care deeply about them and their families. I love helping them pick out a new color or design, executing their vision as perfectly as possible, and seeing how happy they are to go back out into the world uplifted! When they return, I hear about how my nails became a central part of their life by the number of compliments and human connections the nails brought the client; it’s the best, most happy-making career!
Pricing:
- Structured Manicure $65
- Après Gel X $75
- Pedicures starting at $50
- Manicures starting at $35
- Nail Art $5-$30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nails-by-stormi.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nails.stormi/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nails.stormi/
