Today we’d like to introduce you to Breanna Michelle.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
So many aspects in my life have lead me to this point. I’ve always had a love for nails because as a little girl, I would accompany my mom to the nail shop faithfully. I’m talking every two weeks! I began wearing nail extensions when I was 14 years old, and I haven’t stopped wearing them since! Eventually it would come time for me to learn the craft myself, due to the pandemic that resulted in the closures of nailcare facilities. When restrictions lifted and applications were being accepted for Beauty college, I signed up and was licensed by the summer of 2022.
I’ve tried my hand at all sorts of professions such as highway patrol, flight attendant, P.A; personal assistant, as well as being a radio host. I’ve booked cars all over the world for prominent celebrities, marshalled in 757 jets for FedEx at the ONT airport, and I’ve even worked at a dog daycare scooping poop and refereeing the dogs temperaments and even given baths to some of the most dominant breads, and even clipped their toe nails! Although I love being a nail technician and serving the people, I want to transition into becoming an educator in this industry, but that’s a long term goal. I am also ready to venture out into the publishing world, and serve the people in a different way. In my last article with you all, I mentioned writing a book. We’ll, I did it! I’ve written the manuscript for my book to honor my late father, Robert Williams, and I’m ready to share it with the masses, so be on the look out for that aswell. For now, my professional books are open for travel services for nail care, or you can pull up on me at Slayy Nails Beauty Bar! Summer is fast approaching, let me help you get those toes up to par!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life is not without its challenges, I think that we all can attest to that. Me and resilience have a beautiful relationship, as it has gotten me through a lot of tough times. I can recall my very first day in Beauty College was also my first day of what would become 389 days of homelessness. My family and I fell on hard times during the height of the pandemic, and finding the balance between studying, getting rest, and being strong for my family has really shown me what I’m made of! Present day, I’m in a black owned nail salon, Slayy Nails Beauty Bar in Highland, CA, working alongside a colleague that I attended Beauty College with back in 2021. I am so grateful to God, and proud of myself for sticking it out through the tough times because everyday is worth it. The salon is flourishing, and I get the opportunity to serve and come to know some of the most wonderful people through this profession. So if you’re reading this and you’re going through obstacles in life, affirm that you’re already a winner and that the victory is already yours, because it is! [Romans 8:28]
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Being a nail tech is more than just doing nails! Being a nail tech is also like being a therapist, no cap. I was the kid that got the “talks too much” remark on my report cards, so I’m definitely in my purpose. There’s times where clients don’t really care to chat while being serviced, and you have to be fine by that too! This profession causes for one to be able to shape shift and hold space for the feminine, and sometimes masculine collective. It’s important to check your feelings at the door and understand that nothing is ever personal in this field, especially when your client is relating to you in regards to how they like to receive their services; that they’re essentially paying for.
Everyday I get to face and conquer imposter syndrome as my lovely clients bring me various inspiration pictures of nail concepts that was executed by another nail tech who’s seemingly more learned than I am. However, in this profession you have to be confident in your abilities, or else it’ll reflect in your finished product. Working in this field, I quickly learned that women often change their minds, so it is of the utmost importance to be flexible and ready to pivot at any given time. Stay positive, and you can’t fold under pressure.
You may be wondering: “what pressure?” the pressure of time. We live in a rushed society, but when you’re getting pampered, I would hope more than an hour’s time is alotted. I can not do a quality Mani/pedi in 60 minutes. You all have got to stop coming to the nail shops unannounced with only 45 minutes to spare on a Friday night… I’m just saying. Give yourself as well as your service attendant more time for you to be attended to. Especially when there’s an abundance of lent on your hand when I return to it from applying paint on the other hand. Or worse, you were late to your appointment. Yo! I don’t mean to rant, but someone needs to be the voice of reason for those who sit on the other side of the table. We as nail techs grin and bare a lot! Nonetheless! We do this for you, and there is so much that is to be understood here and I’m speaking from the perspective as a client turned professional. The nail game ain’t no joke, It’s more than just polish, boo!
If there’s anything that is everything in this profession, I would say that communication is key! It’s important to communicate to your client if you’re running behind schedule, like it’s important for the client to communicate if they should need to reschedule their appointment. It’s important to communicate to your client if you don’t feel confident that you can execute a specific design like it’s important for the client to speak up if they do not like their nails, hopefully before they place their hand into the UV light to dry the paint. (Because what could’ve been wiped off now has to be scraped off). There’s so many moving parts that goes into providing quality nail care service. Frankly, If you’re not really a ‘people person’, maybe you should skip it.
What I’m trying to communicate here is that in this profession, you and your client/ service provider are a team. If you can grasp that concept, you’ll never go without quality work, and before you know it you would have yourself some new acquaintances and really come to know some amazing beings that this lifetime can contain. My clients are really cool, and I value and respect them all. There’s been instances where my clients have poured into me in ways that I wasn’t even aware that I needed. They sit right across from me and give me life lessons. I call it “10 years in 10 minutes.” Some of your mothers, sisters, cousins and aunties are literal gladiators, and they stop by to share with me how they’ve Conquered their battles. Man. I love it here! May this road lead to doors so high up, I’ll need a ladder to reach the knob. Because being in this profession, you never know who you’ll meet. Asé and Amen. Maybe I should plug up a microphone because the tea be hot!
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
You can find me @drippiningemsnjewels on Instagram as well as TikTok. Also, my email is bre.will@ymail.com. Hit me up!
Pricing:
- 10.00 +
Contact Info:
