Meet Candice

I have to start by saying that when NAILS Magazine’s managing editor Sree asked me a few weeks ago if I’d be interested in blogging about my new nail studio’s first year, I was incredibly flattered. So flattered, in fact, that I said yes without thinking. When I got off the phone with her, I called myself every name I could think of (and I know a lot). One, I'm not a writer. Two, I have yet to actually work as a nail tech and here I am getting ready to open my own nail studio. Three, I'd better succeed or I'll be failing very publicly. I don't think I needed any more reasons to call myself names.

 

So, a little background about me. The beauty industry is completely new to me. For about the past nine years I've actually worked in the financial sector. About a year ago I decided to completely re-think my career and move away from jobs that were so driven by numbers (my natural love). I felt like I really wanted a career where I could provide a service to people and do something that would really benefit their lives in a positive way. As I was brainstorming, it occurred to me that one of the things that gave me a lot of pleasure and made me feel feminine was having beautiful nails, so off I went!

 

When I went to nail school last year, my daughter Hailey had just graduated high school and decided to join me, which was a lot of fun. We finished school in California, and I got my license last October there — about two weeks after we moved to Washington state! So now I’m in the process of getting my license here, while at the same time getting ready to open up Panache Nail Studio. My husband Loren was very supportive of the change, and he's playing a huge role in making this all come together. My son Kean is only slightly less happy for me because we made him paint!

 

Currently the plan is to open on July 1st. Hailey will be joining me once she gets her license up here too, and I'm really excited (and scared) to be working with my daughter! So far this has been an amazing journey for me, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

 

—Candice, Panache Nail Studio, Marysville, Wash.