Daily Inspiration: Meet Nicholas Rice

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicholas Rice.

Hi Nicholas, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I can recall having an appeal to manicuring and nail enhancements dating back to childhood as early as 1st/2nd grade. I vividly recall walking through the grocery store and begging my mother to make a pit stop down the beauty aisle. I would love going through the beauty section and looking at all of the makeup but more particularly the false nail kits and all of the nail polishes that were sold in the beauty sections. I will never forget my first set of press on/ glue on nails were a set of Kiss branded short square white french tip nails and I had to plead with my mother to buy them for me. Later on in life the beauty industry always appealed to me and I took a large interest to it and finally started getting my nails professionally done in a salon when I was a freshman in high school. It was a full circle moment as for the longest time I always got short square acrylics with white french tips. Thus my calling card of always having my nails done in some way shape or form began. After graduating from high school and making the move out to California I went to school for makeup artistry and got my foot in the door working in television and film as a professional makeup artist. Shortly after graduation and getting my footing establishing myself in the industry is when Covid happened and everything stopped. As covid restrictions were lifted years later I started rebuilding my network in the television and film industry slowly working my way up again only to be met with the next big hurdle of the SAG strikes which yet again halted the industry. During this time was a pivotal moment where I knew I needed to find something for my next chapter that was sustainable but more importantly still within the beauty space and creative. I started looking into the real possibility of pursuing becoming a nail technician as nails have been a relatively big component of my life at this point and followed through with my plan. A year later after starting a manicuring program at Georgiy Kot Academy and taking my state board exam I am an officially licensed nail technician and hit the ground running building my clients and beginning this new chapter of my life and career.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I of course as many people have had hurdles and challenges along the way from professional struggle to personal struggle. From Covid affecting so many people and the workforce to the writers strike that put the whole industry on pause and still to this day we are seeing not only the television and film workforce struggle to recover but aspects of our city making a comeback and recovery as well. My biggest challenge was a personal struggle of feeling guilt as if I was “giving up” on my dream of moving all the way out to California to pursue my dream as being a makeup artist for television and film when I made the decision to pivot into pursuing manicuring. I felt I had made so many sacrifices and promises to myself and family members who wanted me to thrive in this profession and journey. It was a journey of self discovery to come to terms with but ultimately it lead me to my conclusion that I never wanted to be in a position later on in my life asking myself “What If” and to never turn down opportunities presented to me. So ultimately I am grateful for the struggles I have faced to this day to push me into trying new things and exploring all of my options as it has opened up so many doors for me personally and professionally. I still from time to time do makeup and am still very close with the amazing people I met along my journey and professional career path from television and film makeup artistry.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Licensed Nail technician who specializes in gel nail enhancements. My services range from Gel Manicures, Builder Gel, Gel-X and Hard gel which is one of the most in demand nail enhancement services on the market to date. As for what I am known for would have to be either elements of nail art ranging from Chrome, 3D sculpting, and charms or my retention of nails. I have clients who have nails that will easily last 5/6 weeks (the longest one of my clients has ever gone between an appointment with all nails intact was 10 weeks) however that is certainly NOT recommended but is a testament to the love and care I put into my work and honing my craft and skills. I think most importantly what sets me apart from others is my personality and demeanor. I am the type of person you could put in a room of 20 people and I would likely be able to strike up a conversation with anyone there. My clients appreciate my chair as a safe space to relax as their “me” time or to vent and chat about personal challenges. The saying holds true that nail appointments can be some of the best therapy sessions around. But most importantly I would describe myself as a fun and outgoing person who adores every single person that sit in my chair. And most importantly that ALL are welcome in my chair in this current world I think inclusivity is such a pillar of importance that it needs to be said and known that my chair is a welcoming and safe space for everyone from all walks of life.I think at least at some point in time everyone has had an unpleasant experience in a salon either from the service itself or more importantly not connecting with the person who was performing the service and I think it is an important aspect of getting a beauty service to truly trust and connect with the professional who is performing the service whether it be hair, nails skin, ect

Any big plans?
My plans for the future are to continue growing my business and gathering and retaining new clientele to keep me fulfilled, booked and busy. I just recently started freelancing as a nail technician full time so this is the newest chapter of my career that I am so excited to continue exploring and to continue building on. I think eventually one day it would be amazing to have my own salon whether that be just me by myself solo or truly running a full staff of a nail salon but time will tell as things ebb and flow. As for now it is one step at a time making dreams a reality

Pricing:

• Gel Manicure $55
• Builder Gel Fill $60/Full set $70
• Gel X Fill $75/Full set $85
• Hard Gel Fill $70/Full set $80
• Nail art pricing is an additional cost ranging from $15-$75

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nick_nailedit/