Today we’d like to introduce you to Macee King
Hi Macee, 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?
My name is Macee King I am the founder and owner of Nailedbyking! I’m 24 years old, I was born and raised in Burbank CA, since I was younger I’ve always had some sort of fascination with the beauty industry, in 2014/2015 I would buy full cover nail tips from the closest drug store and glue them on my sister, shape and paint them, I didn’t know about 10 years later I would’ve created a business out of a childhood hobby. Straight out of high school in 2019 I was working two food service jobs until my anxiety and mental health got into the way. I made the decision to leave those jobs and then to enroll in Newberry School of Beauty in late 2019. Right before the global pandemic that sadly resulted in a shut down, I got my Esthetician license in 2020! My beauty journey started in the peak of the pandemic but I didn’t let that get in my way. I was still practicing from home on my family that i lived with at the time, doing facials, waxing, and eyebrows. I briefly dabbled in the lash industry but came to realize it wasn’t something I wanted to do. I loved getting my nails done but I always told myself I couldn’t be a nail tech because it seemed so tedious. But we would have a nail tech come to our home and do our nails. While watching her I was like, you know I can do this. I ordered a kit and started practicing. Gel manicures, gel pedicures, then a little down the line gel x extensions. I became hooked to say the least. I then started slowly taking clientele just by word of mouth, family, friends. Then I applied for a job towards the decline of the pandemic at Nail Ink Nail Supply, a nail supply store was opening in Burbank CA and I started working there before the opening and continued for about a year, until being promoted to receptionist of the connected nail salon Nail Ink and Spa. I was a year into being a sales associate and receptionist then I made the rash decision to quit and start doing nails full time while going to nail school. I attended West Valley Occupational Center for nails in 2023 for 4 months and got my nail license in July of 2023. I am now a licensed esthetician and nail technician located in the SFV. I do house calls, own a studio in San Fernando and occasionally teach nail classes. I have been lucky to work with some amazing companies and celebrities. I love my job and am looking forward to the future. To anybody wanting to do something but extremely fearful of the outcome . Do it, your biggest critic is yourself! You cannot succeed if you do not try. I’ve been extremely blessed and I believed in myself, now I am here! You can do it too!
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?
It hasn’t been an extremely smooth road. With small businesses comes a lot of trial and error. I think what I’ve learned is don’t give up. It’s really easy as humans to be self critical and super envious of those around us. “ Why does this person have 100k and I have 1.5k?” “Why does this person do a this or that better than I do?” “What am I doing wrong?”. These are very normal questions but so damaging. The beauty industry is a billion dollar business it’s constantly growing and changing. I’ve lost clients, I’ve hated my work, I’ve questioned my career choice all together, but I didn’t I pushed through and even now 4-5 years in, days are hard i’m not a person who sugar coats. But you keep going. It’s very rewarding in the end if you choose to never give up.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a licensed nail tech/esthetician who specializes in Gel X Extensions, Builder Gel Manicures, Pedicures, Eyebrows, Waxing, and educating. I think I am most proud of my support system and the clientele I built, coming from nothing I am super grateful and I have a lot of respect for the people in the beauty industry and small business owners. I think what sets me apart from others is my constant need to do better and that I do my job because I love it and it makes me happy to make others feel beautiful. To build relationships with my clients is a must and I’m not money driven. Yes, money makes the world go round but it isn’t everything. I feel connections are important, coming to work everyday happy, and constant love for what you do is most important.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I think what I like best about my city is the community. San Fernando is very close nit and everyone always there to help businesses surrounding, bigger businesses and smaller ones. All of the beauty professionals around me are supportive and always thriving for more. Working extremely hard to support their families, and make our neighborhood a very positive, inviting place.
My least favorite thing about my city is the crime and the violence on the streets. I feel like it’s bad everywhere not just San Fernando but that’s the only downside!
Pricing:
- Gel X Starting Pricing $70+
- Gel X Course Price $900
- Builder Gel Starting Pricing $60+
- Pedicures (Gel/Reg) Gel: $50+ Reg $28
- Manicures (Gel/Reg) Gel: $50+ Reg $20
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nailedbyking/
Image Credits
All photos taken by Me @nailedbyking
