Get to Know Shauna

In 2012, I was laid off from my job and realized the little luxuries I had taken for granted — like getting my nails done — were suddenly gone. That Thanksgiving, while at my parents’ house, I asked my dad to buy me the gel nail kit that had just hit Target. I spent the holiday doing everyone’s nails in the house and thought, “Wow, this is fun and easy!”

At the time, I had a roommate and did her nails, along with a few friends, purely for fun. I quickly realized I couldn’t charge anyone because I wasn’t licensed, so I found a nail school in Northern Virginia, which my parents helped me attend. While continuing another corporate job, I went to nail school in the evenings to complete my 150 clock hours. I passed both the theory and practical exams on my first try.

After moving to Maryland, I began taking clients from my home — but that quickly got old. I then joined a full-service salon, where I worked for three years, building my clientele. Eventually, I branched out into my own salon suite. It was more like an office space, but I loved it, and so did my clients.

In 2018, after working a toxic corporate job, I stepped out on faith and committed fully to my passion and skill as a nail professional. I hit the ground running — booked immediately, providing top-tier customer service that kept clients returning week after week. I was working 12–14 hour days, and while the success was exciting, I quickly realized I wasn’t taking care of myself — mentally, emotionally, or physically. Emotional stress, long hours, and the demands of the job led to serious health issues, including a herniated spinal disc, asthma from acrylic exposure, and depression.

It was a dark time, but after a hospitalization for my back and worsening asthma, I made the difficult decision to return to corporate America, right before COVID, while continuing nails part-time. I focused on education within the industry and refining my skills, preparing for a future where I could combine my passion with a healthy work-life balance.

Today, I bring over a decade of experience, education, and real-life lessons to my clients, helping them feel beautiful, valued, and cared for — all while sharing the wisdom I’ve gained along the way