Today we’d like to introduce you to Candace Black.
Hi Candace, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
This journey of mine didn’t really start until freshman year at Weber State University. From as long as I can remember it was grained into our brains that to be successful, you need a college degree. At the time I did believe this, I would always work dead-end jobs to get me by while I stressed about what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, which not only was super stressful to try and figure out but on top of it all had to figure out how to even adult. During all of this, I was working constantly and still had no idea what I wanted to do with myself. So, during this time frame as ironic as it sounds, I was getting my nails done. I was complaining to my nail tech how no jobs are willing to work with my school schedule and never paid decently for me to even make a living. She joked and said “Well, why don’t you just become a nail tech,” The more we discussed throughout the appointment- she really motivated me to pursue it. So, me being as impulsive as I am, not even a week later I applied at otech for the nail program. I kept reminding myself if I didn’t like it, it was an only a couple months of my life, and would always have something under my belt if I ever needed extra income. Therefore, during that spring break while everyone was living their best lives in Mexico and going out, I was hustling eight-hour days at otech scrubbing feet trying to finish before the semester started back up for fall. During this I wish I could say that I had a great support system but didn’t. with the exception of my boyfriend and his family. Many of my family and friends at the time thought it was a waste of money and time. They couldn’t understand why I would want to put myself in a highly saturated market. and reminded me daily I need to stop wasting money on nails and put this towards my schooling at Weber. With all the negative comments and making fun I still decided it was something that I wanted to pursue. All of those obstructive comments about how it was never going to make it happen, lit a fire under me. Not only I was just doing it because of me, I was going to show all of those who didn’t believe I was going to make it into something real. During the nail course, I fell in love with everything It had to do with nails. Not only the fact that nails were so much more than being pretty, there was skill behind every set that would challenge me. What surprised me the most out of it all was how much it meant to the clients. I realize during this time how much I loved speaking with people and helping them distress and just feel beautiful. At this moment I knew it was something I wanted to do long-term. As I graduated the nail course, I had to educate myself how to even promote a business on social media which was probably the most difficult part since I wasn’t the most tech savvy teenager. With on top of it all juggle school and work, but I was determined. spending hours educating myself with videos and tips and tricks on social media just to soak everything in. Any moment I was able to do someone’s nails I would make it work, no matter the time of day. It was something I looked forward to and pushed me to know that what I was doing was slowly paying off.
I came to a point in my life that I just wanted to do nails full-time. I didn’t want to continue school and just wanted to put my full attention to the thing that I loved most. It was scary, especially knowing the fact that I wasn’t going down the path I had planned for years before. I didn’t care about the amount of hate I would have received I wanted to do nails. All I knew at the time was I had to pull the trigger no matter the circumstances. So, I dropped my classes and quit my jobs, slowly the more clientele I got, I was able to move from my salon I was working at to my own salon suite. I currently have been doing nails for two years now and so much has changed from just getting out of the nail course to now.
The journey is long and still is continuing. This is more than just nails, it’s my life. Having the opportunity to talk to clients and have them be able to look forward to seeing you and confiding in you is one of my greatest accomplishments. It’s caused me to meet so many amazing people and pushed myself to even grow as an individual. It’s something I look forward to keep learning and growing and the support that I have now is what keeps me pushing, and for that I’m so grateful.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wish I could say that it was smooth. There was many struggles. One of the biggest was trying to understand where to even start after graduating. I didn’t know how to promote myself to make my page seem more appealing to my potential clients. Or the concept of pricing for what I thought I was worth, and what I needed to even make a living. it was a constant battle with myself during these times because I didn’t have a mentor anyone to ask for help. I constantly would compare my work, and overall, just be so hard on myself for not being where I wanted to be at the time. Running a little business with something I never have done before, and never realize the amount of time in work it went into. During the struggles it showed me how to have grit, and never limit myself to perfecting my craft and learning. Eventually, understanding what I needed to do to stand out.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in acrylic and GELX nails. I’m most known for design and the more long and extravagant the better. What I am most proud of is the change of mindset through these past years, learning new techniques and taking criticism, and learning from it. What sets me apart from others is I’m a perfectionist. I will do it over and over until I’m satisfied and I’ve mastered the look and style I want to create. I’m constantly keeping up with the trends. And overall making sure on the nail tech that can do it all.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory was my 10th birthday. It was one of the few birthdays that I ever had where I was able to have friends and family over… I remember being so excited that I was able to have everyone over and celebrate and hold a special place in my heart.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/nails.bycandace?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066386175826&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
@photographybyhopee
