Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Davis.
Hi Cynthia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I can remember the start of my nail journey as if it was yesterday. I spent most of my childhood in San Antonio, Texas. As a little girl, I always loved to be creative and express myself through art. My mom couldn’t afford to take me to get my nails done but one day, my aunt came to town and took me and my twin cousins to a nail salon. I remember being so fascinated by the colors on the wall, I even remember my little cousin breaking a nail polish bottle. That day sparked a nail interest so strong that I climbed out of the second-story window to get some nail polish bottles I saw on the roof. The roof was so thin that I fell straight through and landed on my stomach. That was a story I did not want to tell my parents about but of course, my dad couldn’t help but notice the huge hole in the roof. What I didn’t know was that someday I would be working towards getting my salon. I knew at the age of 6 I was going to be someone important. I remember writing my autograph on blank printing paper one by one. I grew up with strict parents nothing was handed to me everything was earned. My family and I experienced a house fire when I was 11, from there on out I knew everything can go in a blink of an eye. After the house fire, my family and I bounced around Texas eventually by the age of 14, we settled in fort worth Texas. I had no idea the small city would chew me up and spit me out ultimately creating the woman I am today. Throughout the years, I still gravitated toward art. I always loved the idea of being expressive. By the age of 15 is when I truly found my passion in nails.
Before I knew doing nails was my passion it took many therapy sessions for me to realize, hey this is it for me this is my new breath of fresh air. The time it took to create a beautiful nail and see the smile it brought to a person’s face is what made me fall so deeply in love and learn the skill. Before I knew it my depression was gone and I was made into a new woman with a passion no one could take away from me. While I was still in Texas I would post flyers on Snapchat of me promoting my nail business for only $10. This made a lot of my social mates very interested. Although my work was never the best I kept going. Some girls would lie and tell me they loved them for me to only later find out they hated them. The real feedback is what I needed to get better and to keep trying. I stayed humble and continued to take new clients although they knew I was practicing.
I was so hungry to show the world my skills that I rode a bike to a client’s house. I remember that bike ride so well as I was riding home in the dark, I couldn’t see a wire connected to a pole so I ended up flipping off my bike. That night I knew God had his hands all over me because I could have flipped over into the oncoming traffic but instead I landed in the grass.
I got back up on my bike and continued to move forward like I always do. By the age of 16, I moved to New Jersey to live with my dad. My father is a man who always wants to see me at my best. He always protects me and tells me how life is never sugar coating a thing. He encouraged my nails journey and even helped me practice using a nail drill. I am very lucky to have the majority of my family in New Jersey so I was not missing out on working on other people.
Doing the women in my family’s nails really was the backbone of my nail journey. My aunts would always keep it real with me and helped me know what not to do based on their experience in a nail salon. When I was in New Jersey, I would do community work at shelters with my family, I truly love helping other people. One day a family friend told me about a going back to school event for the kids in Trenton New Jersey. I asked if I could set up a booth and paint nails. She said yes and sent over all the information I needed. I spent my money on new nail polish colors and spent all night creating nail signs for my booth. When the day finally came, I was so happy to meet the little girls, most of them had never gotten their nails done. I was so honored to be the first person who did it for them. That day gave me a lot of experiences that I cherish forever.
Eventually, I moved back to Texas and found a job as soon as possible to help fund my nail business. I was lucky to have my mom still living in the same area so all my friends were close by. While I was working, I started taking in new nail clients. When I started getting booked for nails during my work hours, I knew it was time for me to go. I had a nice steady flow of clients coming in and continued to get better and better after each set of nails I did. Sadly 2020 is when covid hit the town I was living in and I had to take a break from doing nails because it was no longer safe to do so in my home. That was the worst but needed health break of my life so I thought.
Eventually, my family and I moved to Clayton County Georgia. I still remember the culture shock when I went into a Walmart and was so happy to see so many black people that looked like me. I found a supportive group online called Black Only LLC. I went to many of their showcase events for performers. They noticed me and nominated me as the best Nail Tech of the year. That nomination was truly amazing for me and really pushed me to step my game up. I found a black-owned nail salon during that time and got to experience working in a nail salon. Although my time in the salon was short, I loved every moment I had in the salon.
In today’s time, I’m still doing nails and have tapped into making press on nails. My goal is to have a nail empire and take over every city with my talent through God and hard work.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Getting where I am today was not easy for me. I grew up as a very troubled child and got myself into many bad situations. one situation was so bad that I became depressed and needed therapy to truly figure out who I am and where I want to be in life. I had to learn that not everyone is your friend and to have boundaries. I had parents that wouldn’t give me something just because I asked for it I had to earn it. I learned how to work hard and save money and hold myself accountable. I became a teenager who didn’t want to party and be around large crowds I found comfort in being in my room Friday nights perfecting my craft.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Nail Artist. I specialize in nail design, and I am known for my fancy nail work. I am most proud of the time I gave back to my community in the city of Trenton and painted girl’s nails for free. What sets me apart from others is my ability to deliver amazing artwork and showcase it creatively. My passion for nails always leads me down a path of giving for my community. I’m always looking for ways I can help inspire the youth through nails.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
No matter what age you are I believe you can be whoever you want to be in this world through hard work. I know my story will inspire many people who may feel lost and don’t know where to start when it comes to living out their dream. I want the world to know no matter what keep striving for your goals.
Contact Info:
- Email: bossnailsdivine@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bossnailsdivine/
