Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaneeka Moore.
Hi Kaneeka, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
So Nail-ish was created in 2018 originally as a mobile nail service for large events. We also catered to doing home visits for our VIP clients. We offered mini mani services for the events and full luxury mani services for home visits. Once the pandemic hit and everything closed down (Including my Job at the time, which was my main source of income), I realized that I could no longer depend on a regular 9-5 to support me and my dreams of becoming a household brand!! So I had to pivot how I did business once the pandemic hit. I knew I needed something to sell, but I wanted to stick with what I love doing as well. I was already creating small art pieces and selling them on the side.
So I knew I wanted to create the custom items to sell. I had actually tried my hand at press on nails previously and they flopped bad, lol. But considering at the time, the salons were closed, I seen a market for them. So I decided to create my own custom press-on nail line. Providing you with all the tools and instructions you need to be self-sufficient at home or on the go. No, wait time at the salons, no more painful drilling, acrylics, heat spikes, or loud smells, you get exactly what you want Everytime, and delivered to you anywhere in the USA, with great customer service. Nail-ish ✌🏾 is different from any other press-on nail line because we provide unique, one-of-a-kind, hand-painted, creative sets. That are durable, long-lasting, affordable, reusable, and customizable to your unique taste!! The press on Nail line did really well in the beginning of the pandemic and lead to us expanding and creating our custom jewelry line Envy-ish✌🏾. Where we create beautiful handmade pieces made with love, light, and healing for ALL!! We create alot of metaphysical pieces to help people along their journey no matter where they are in this life.
Sometimes we need small reminders to stay positive, especially in a time like this. In the middle of a pandemic, I went from providing services to making actual products to sell. I have also starting my own public group on FB Nail-ish(Beauty, Fashion, Art, and Nails), which has over 1k members in our community and still growing. Where any member can share their products, services, advice, art, work, etc with respect to others. As well as a YouTube channel Nail-ish Kay ✌🏾 where I do my favorite unboxing videos, mini vlogs, tutorials, explore new places and more. So please come and join us and subscribe to my YouTube channel. ✌🏾
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?
OMGoodness, it has not been a smooth road at all. More like rocky road ice cream lol. But they say what’s worth having won’t come easy!! The main struggles I have faced are financial, clientele, marketing, and being creative. I believe we have all ran into financial blocks where we want to do something but don’t necessarily have the funds to do so. Or so we think.
Luckily for me, I had/have alot of nail supplies and was able to start with what I had on hand. I actually sold my first Press on set on social media, which became one of my selling platforms. Clientele is still kind of a struggle for me because alot of my clients would prefer me to just physically do their nails. But I’m considered “higher risk” of contracting COVID so I have made the executive decision to not touch anyone at this time. With the marketing I was struggling at first but then I just used all platforms that I could. From the free social media platforms to paid advertising as well. Being creative and having blocks I feel will probably be an ongoing struggle just being an artist. It just comes with the territory.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
So I originally got my degree in Applied Science for Surgical Technology. I thought I wanted to be in the medical field but HATED it!! My school program was absolutely an horrible college experience. Due to issues with our program at Malcolm X community College. So I went on to beauty school and got my license as a Nail Tech. I specialize in Nail Art and healthy services!! Above all healthy services are a must for me when providing my services!! Making sure to practice safe techniques that goes above the standard universal protocols, before the pandemic and Especially now!! Clients safety and well-being is more important than looking good. Immediately after is what I’m most known for, which is my love for doing art and creating masterpieces on such small canvases. I love nail art so much I even tried my hand at painting on actual canvases, but it was a disaster lol. Not a skill I possess in my eyes lol. I give myself a A for effort though.
I am most proud of my determination, drive, and strength not to give up!! There has been so many obstacles I’ve been faced with even still to this day, that has made me want to take the easy road and just give up. It’s alot of hard work to start a business from scratch and brand yourself. Especially when you are doing it alone. You have to wear many hats as CPA, Assistant, Manager, Customer service, Product manufacturer, Quality Control, etc. What sets me apart from others is my creative eye to be different, my quality of work, and my customer service. I like to create outside of the trends. I myself like to be different or what some may call weird in what I do, wear, and create. So I wanted to make sure my brand matched who I am as a person. Different, Creative, Artsy, Weird, One of a Kind looks that speaks to your soul and your own personal uniqueness. With a side of great customer service to top it off. We believe you get more bees with honey if you know what I mean.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I am originally from Chicago, IL, but I have been here for about six years now. What I like the best about Austin is definitely the weather hands down lol!! Immediately after would be the fact that I feel more safe here than back home where there is so much violence!! Austin is such a beautiful place to live and has alot of fun exciting things to do. The greenery is absolutely beautiful and I love how open and accepting they are to new things. Most people are friendly and greet you with that southern hospitality. At first I wasn’t use to it lol. I know you are asking yourself how can someone not be use to kindness? Well ask someone else from Chicago and I’m sure they would agree. I believe the cold brutal winters has caused alot of Chicago natives to just become hostile and bitter over the years. So when I first moved here with my now Ex- husband I was taken aback by some of the kindness that was presented to me. People just speak to you and not have hidden agendas lol go figure!! I also love how diverse it is here and the slogan stands true, ” Keep Austin Weird”.
What I least like about the city is that traffic can be horrible. So you kind of have to know what times you should go somewhere or not!! I’ve actually encountered a couple of race incidents that didn’t sit well with me either, so there’s that part!! That’s a story for a different time but its sad that we are still dealing with this issue these days!! The really sad part about it is I expected it to happen here in Texas. Even though you expect it, it doesn’t prepare you for when it actually happens to you.
Pricing:
- Press on Nails range from $25 & up from Plain Jane sets to Bling-ish sets
- Handmade Jewelry range from $7.77 & up we have 5 collections to choose from
- Custom Apparel range from $21 & up
- Nail-ish Necessities range from $7.77 & up
Contact Info:
- Email: nail-ish@nail-ish.com
- Website: Nail-ish.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/nail_ish_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nailish.kay.9
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC8NiAUF8ZngoSihoKLX_3Gw
Image Credits
John Hilgers & Kaneeka Moore
