Life & Work with Kirsten Slocumb

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirsten Slocumb.

Hi Kirsten, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, I was always really into nail art. My friends would be impressed by my nail designs (from yin and yang to converse sneaker designs on my nails). After attending college for two years and still yearning to do nails, I took a chance and attended Elaine Sterling Institute to study nails. Upon graduating, I would work a regular job and do nails on the weekends until I built up enough skill to quit my job. I definitely have learned from so many other nail techs along the way. They taught me not only tips and tricks for doing better nails but also gave me business advice. From 2016 when I attended nail school to 2021, there has been nothing but growth, and I’m extremely proud of that.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. Doing nails has been filled with setbacks. There were times when I wanted to hang it up and just throw in the towel. I took many breaks from doing nails between 2016 and 2021. At one point, I had a suite and lost it due to not having enough clientele and not knowing how to correctly market myself. In the beginning, just correctly learning the skill was difficult because no person’s hands are identical. The more nails you touch, the more you learn about what to do in different situations. It’s difficult when the people you thought would support you do not. A nail techs biggest supporters are typically strangers. Having a baby in 2020 and trying to juggle being a new mom and having a career has been extremely hard. I was breastfeeding and having to pump milk in the back between clients. Now I feel like I’m doing better, but it’s still very hard to manage work-life balance while having a baby. But with every struggle comes success; I’m still doing this. It’s still worth it to me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a licensed nail technician. I specialize in full acrylic sets, but I can give an amazing pedicure, manicure, or dip powder (SNS) set. I love Freestyle nail art because it allows me to be my most creative self. Give me your budget and I’ll give you a masterpiece on your nails. These days I’ve been doing a lot of acrylic full sets on toes. I’ve been loving that. I’m most proud of myself for never giving up on what I love. Along the way, people doubted me, I had a baby during a global pandemic and went through everyday life issues but instead of giving up, I used those things as fuel to keep striving for greatness. Nobody will do your nails like I do. That’s just period.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
When working with people, you have to have good customer service skills and maintain a level of professionalism. You have to understand that life happens and sometimes clients will be late, reschedule, or maybe even not be in the best mood. You never want to run your business with your emotions. I try to always keep a level head and be understanding.

Pricing:

• Acrylic Full Set $40
• Freestyle Full Set $100
• Not So Basic Pedicure $35
• Acrylic Toe Full Set and Pedicure $85
• SNS $40

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://kasbeautyco.as.me/
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/kasbeautyco