Conversations with the Inspiring Letice Huff

Today we’d like to introduce you to Letice Huff.

Letice, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve come from a very creative family. However, my life as I know it has never been a fairytale. I lived with both of my parents up until age eight. April 2002, my dad passed away. Leaving only my mother to care for me and my brothers. Shortly after his passing, my mother really began to lose her self mentally. Which, of course, led to drug addiction and numerous arrest. By the age of ten, my grandmother gained custody of me and that’s where the stability came in my life. She taught me to be independent and responsible. All the things she taught me that I always took for granted I can really say I appreciate now.

All my siblings & I have some sort of artistic talent (drawing, painting, custom designing). My talent happened to be doing nails. I knew from age five that I loved nails. Everything about it… especially the tapping noises you can make. My mother let me get my first full set when I was six years old. Short, square & Pink. Typically, six years old is very young for a little girl to have acrylic nails. But my mother has seen the passion in my eyes whenever we stepped foot into a nail salon. She would always buy me a press on sets & would glue them on for me. Once I was old enough to apply them myself, that was the only thing I would buy with my allowance. When I didn’t have money to buy nails, I would get Scott’s tape, wrap every finger and paint the tape with red nail polish just to have the illusion that my nails are done. Clearly, I’ve had an obsession with nails almost my entire life.

I became a licensed nail technician in 2015, I worked in two salons and finally earned my own booth to fully expand my brand “Nails By Letice” the nail game is constantly changing and I want to be remembered in it as a “nail goddess.”

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely! I had lots of bumps in the road. The important thing was I didn’t let that stop me. A few months shortly after I enrolled in the school for nails, my grandmother passed away. My daughter, Lyric was only one at the time. At that point, my back was against the wall, it was imperative that I finish school. And there were actually times I thought I wasn’t going to be able to finish. But I made it. So, my advice to young women just starting is to never give up even when the journey seems impossible. It can be done.

What should we know about Nails By Letice? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I LOVE BLING! I have many different styles that I create. But if I had to say I have a specialty it would definitely be using Swarovski Crystals, caviar beads, and different embellishments to create custom nail sets. I take lots of pride in my work. I feel like thats what sets me apart from others I will never rush a service. I like to make sure every client gets the service they deserve each and every visit.

I have actually gotten to the point where I like to create glamorous press on nails for my ladies that would just like to “pop” them on for a night out on the town or maybe a big event. These press-on nails give ladies the opportunity to be glamorous temporarily (1-2 weeks) while doing no damage to the natural nails. I have ladies tell me all the time I wish I could wear my nails like that but because of their jobs, they can’t. These luxury press-ons are the perfect solution for a convenient slay.

Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
My granny, of course! I can honestly say I would not be the woman I am today if it wasn’t for her. I used to feel like I was always so sheltered as a teen. However, the older I’ve gotten, I now understand after having two daughters, why she was the way she was with me.

I also have other phenomenal women in my life that inspires me so much to just keep going and don’t just stop here. Keep expanding. Majority of them are clients of mine. Clients that have been with me on this journey 3+ years. I love them all dearly.

Contact Info:

• Email: DadonnTeccey@gmail.com
• Instagram: @NailsByLetice

Image Credit:
Photographer: JayoBShootin

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