Today we’d like to introduce you to Vayanna Kruse Chasey Knight
Hi Vayanna Kruse, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Chasey and Vayanna’s journey to opening Soleil Nail Studio was anything but ordinary. Though they came from different backgrounds, their shared passion for creativity and nail artistry led them to create a space that reflects their vision of quality, inclusivity, and beauty.
Chasey’s Story
Chasey’s love for nails started in high school, experimenting on herself and her friends—though, by her own admission, the results weren’t always great. But she knew she was passionate about the beauty industry, and just one week after graduating high school, she wasted no time enrolling in nail school. That same month, she earned her license, started working at a salon, and even walked at her high school graduation—all in a whirlwind of ambition and excitement.
Eager to grow, Chasey quickly began working toward her instructor’s license, allowing her to take on apprentices and share her skills. She spent about a year and a half working at a salon before welcoming her son, River, at 19. But motherhood didn’t slow her down—when River was just a month old, she started taking clients from home, often with her newborn right beside her. By May 2024, she transitioned back into a salon, dedicating her summer to perfecting her craft and growing her clientele.
Toward the end of 2024, Chasey felt an undeniable pull to create a space of her own—a salon where she could set the tone for an inclusive, welcoming, and high-quality experience. At the time, her apprentice, Vayanna, was on the verge of getting her license, and the two often talked about their dreams of opening private studios. Then one day, in a moment of serendipity, they simply looked at each other and said, “Wanna do it together?”
Vayanna’s Story
For Vayanna, art had always been a central part of her life. No matter what dream she pursued, creativity was always at the core. But after years of feeling uninspired and overwhelmed in the corporate world, she knew she needed a change. In a bold move, she quit her job without a plan, trusting that inspiration would come.
And then it did—she realized that nail art had been a passion of hers since she was 12, both as a hobby and as a client who loved intricate designs. The idea of turning it into a career excited her. She immediately thought of an apprenticeship ad she had seen over a year ago, one she couldn’t shake from her mind. But when she applied, she learned she wouldn’t be able to start until the following year. Not willing to wait, she turned to Google, found her teacher, Chasey, and jumped headfirst into the nail industry.
Becoming a nail technician felt like second nature, and as her skills grew, so did her dreams. By the time she neared the end of her training, she and Chasey—her mentor at the time—began casually discussing their shared vision of opening private studios. That one passing thought quickly turned into a serious plan.
Bringing Soleil Nail Studio to Life
From that moment on, everything started falling into place. In early January 2025, they both left their salon jobs to bring their vision to life. Despite coming from different backgrounds, they were completely aligned on their vision for the salon—every detail, from the aesthetic to the guest experience, came together effortlessly.
With funding secured from a private investor, they officially began searching for a location. It wasn’t easy, but when a realtor introduced them to an off-market property, they instantly fell in love. The only catch? It was four times the size they had originally planned for. Instead of letting that deter them, they decided to expand their vision, hire a small team, and make it work. They fought hard for the space, and in a full-circle moment, They signed the lease on Chasey’s 21st birthday.
On February 10, they picked up the keys and immediately got to work, putting in 12-hour days, seven days a week, to transform the space into the perfect salon. Less than a month later, on March 2, they celebrated their grand opening with friends, family, and an overwhelming sense of pride. The next day, Soleil Nail Studio officially opened for business.
Now, nearly a month in, Chasey and Vayanna are focused on refining their guest experience, building a strong social media presence, and making Soleil Nail Studio the go-to destination for quality nail care in Salt Lake City. Their journey has been fast-paced, challenging, and incredibly rewarding—and they’re just getting started.
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?
Honestly, opening the salon went surprisingly smoothly! As two young women with little prior business experience, we knew there would be a learning curve, but we’ve done an amazing job making sure everything was set up legally and in the right order. Securing our space definitely required some negotiation, and we hit a few minor bumps along the way—like accidentally buying the wrong exit signs—but overall, the process was much smoother than we expected.
A huge part of that is thanks to the incredible support we’ve received from our friends and family. Their encouragement (and occasional extra set of hands) helped us stay on track and get everything up and running efficiently. Looking back, it’s been a whirlwind, but we’re so proud of how far we’ve come!
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?
Soleil Nail Studio is a luxury nail salon in downtown Salt Lake City, dedicated to enhancing natural nail health with high-quality services and products. We specialize in gel-based techniques, including builder gel and Gel-X, offering durable, beautiful nails without compromising nail integrity.
At Soleil, the guest experience is our top priority. From the moment you walk in, we want you to feel relaxed, cared for, and confident that your nails are in expert hands. Every service is tailored to your unique nail type and lifestyle, ensuring long-lasting, stunning results that truly work for you.
Our studio is more than just a nail salon—it’s a thoughtfully designed retreat. We’ve blended natural tones, lush greenery, industrial elements, and rich textures to create a space that feels both modern and inviting. Whether you’re here for a quick appointment or a full self-care session, we want you to feel completely at home. At Soleil Nail Studio, everyone is welcome, and every visit is an experience in comfort, quality, and beauty.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
We’re always looking for ways to grow both as business owners and as individuals, so we love books and podcasts that inspire and challenge us. Some of our favorite business books include Atomic Habits by James Clear—it’s a game-changer for building small habits that lead to big results.
For personal development, we love Daring Greatly by Brené Brown, which really opened our eyes to the importance of becoming vulnerable and compassionate, not only in our personal lives, but also in our business.
As for podcasts, The Goal Digger Podcast by Jenna Kutcher is a must-listen for marketing and business tips, and The Mindset Mentor by Rob Dial always gives us the motivation we need to keep pushing forward. We also love Gloss Angeles—it’s all about beauty trends and industry insights, which helps us stay on top of what’s new in the beauty world.
For apps, we can’t live without Notion for organizing our business, Instagram for marketing and connecting with clients, and Canva for creating content that looks professional without needing a design degree.
We’re always on the lookout for new resources, but these have definitely been our go-tos for keeping us inspired, organized, and growing!
Pricing:
- The GelX Full Set $90
- The Structured Manicure $80
- The Gel Manicure $65
- The Soleil Pedicure $85
- The Soleil Hand Treatment Add on $20
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.SoleilNailStudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soleil.nailstudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Soleil-Nail-Studio/61574008910868/#
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/soleil-nail-studio-salt-lake-city
