January 20, 2017

Meet Letisha Royster of Waterless Medi-Pedi & Nail Spa in Buckhead

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Letisha Royster.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Letisha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When witnessing a dreadful layoff in beginning 2014, including seeing many that been employed for over 25yrs suddenly out of job. My outlook on life had changed. It made me think deeper of wanting to have more control of my work life. I said to myself, “this can’t be life.” I’ve work so hard, long, and been very dedicated. I began to soul search what’s my purpose, while reflecting back on the layoff. I wouldn’t say I had a passion for one particular thing or felt a career that would help me in fulfilling a grand purpose. I was able stick to always like helping others and was becoming fascinated with nails at that time. It wasn’t about being pampered anymore when visiting the nail salon. I began to want to know the procedures, how to use the supplies and certain product in a certain manner on my nails. I told myself well this can be a start to something new for me to explore.

Unexpectedly, six months later I became anxious. I lost the excitement of being in finance. I needed something to change. It was truly, now or never for me. I was hit with the thought, “I don’t see many black women as nail technicians or even have a nail salon business of their own. How will I be accepted or who I could talk to about owning a nail salon?” After speaking with a nail technician and business owner. Her words “Just Do It” stuck with me. I definitely tread lightly on taking risk, coming from an accounting background. The words. “Just Do It”, was totally foreign to me. However, I began to feel like I was suffocating in life, so I took a leap out on faith. In the beginning of 2015, I enrolled at International School of Skin, Nail Care, & Massage Therapy. I enrolled as a nail care (Onyxology) student wanting to learn the basic of nails to better understand the industry. I’m a germaphobe and have a bit of OCD to say the least. I was little nervous and still my friends can’t believe I love doing pedicures. I had a vague planned but I was anxious to do something different.

While pursuing my education as a nail technician, the school introduce a new training course, Certified Advance Nail Technician. I was introduced to the program as the first students to take the course in the southern region. The training was intense training on infection control, diseases, and nail disorders. All I could think of is more anxiety. I was already working through as germaphobe with the current education of being sanitary looking at hands and feet. However, it made me understand how health and beauty should be merged to give proper nail care and/or foot care in the nail salons. It showed the importance of high infection control should be a necessity when giving manicures and pedicures. It hit me that I could make a difference. I knew by understanding a person health and beauty, I was helping their well-being. The big difference, I knew I could make was CARE. I graduated school in 7 month period from a 6-8 month program as a certified advance nail technician. I took my practical and written exam, passed with B average on both exams, and walked away with a license. I began doing home nail services and even worked at a friend’s hair salon. However, I wanted to make sure I upheld what I learned about high infection control. I was fearful to get a salon. I wanted to start small. All I could think about to overcome my fear, where would the people go that need me? I found a salon suite and created a waterless salon suite in June 2016, located in Buckhead. I developed the business name Waterless Medi-Pedi & Nail Spa. I didn’t want anyone to be deceived, since it’s not a traditional salon. It’s straight to the point, less water or soak less.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been a bumpy road. The obstacles stem from educating clients what’s been known to be the traditional way, is not the healthiest way. Many never heard about the concept of having soak less manicures and pedicures, why it’s beneficial for all clients, and especially suffering from chronic illness. It’s been a challenge at times to get the support of physicians to refer clients that need healthier nail care services. They may lack knowledge of what is an advanced nail technician and their purpose. These challenges make it difficult to get the word out that there’s a necessity for soak less services. I’m the only one in my business and working a full-time job. It’s hard juggling both. However, once you found what’s meant for you in life, there’s nothing that can stop you. It will happen at the right time. Timing is everything, so I continue to move forward.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about WATERLESS MEDI-PEDI & NAIL SPA – what should we know?
WATERLESS MEDI-PEDI & NAIL SPA is a spa therapy and nail spa, located in Atlanta, GA. WATERLESS MEDI-PEDI & NAIL SPA offers soak less, safe, and sterile spa treatments. WATERLESS MEDI-PEDI & NAIL SPA provides manicures, pedicures, and toenail restorations with waterless treatments. Our treatments benefit clients who are looking for an eco-friendly, clean, high sanitary environment, and luxury spa treatments. Also, our treatments benefit clients to enhance moisture into their skin, polishes tend to be longer lasting, and steam towel hydration provides deep relaxation.

What set me apart from others? You may find few nail salon that has waterless nail services in the Atlanta area. However, you don’t find they’re a waterless nail spa salon. My business is eco-friendly and a preventive to contacting transferable infections. It focuses on the well-being of a person from a health and beauty perspective. It has a relationship with a podiatrist and dermatologist to refer clients that need medical attention for the nail and foot care, such as ingrown toenails, nail infections, and/or nail fungus. I bring value and care for the client back to the nail salon. My business provide pedicures to high-risk clients, such as diabetics. I’m in the community by attending Health Expos or Healthy & Beauty Expos educating clients about our services. Also, building relationships with high-risk clients’ organization to bring awareness there’s a place for high-risk clients, such as diabetics to receive pampering.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Firstly, God deserves all the credit! He has given me the ultimate strength beyond my imagination to accomplish things I have in my business. As the only college graduate in my intermediate family. I knew I would get a degree and work for someone. I never thought having my own business. In my generation, parents stay in corporate jobs for 25 plus years and retire. I’ve heard from many and even friends scared to take a leap of faith because they didn’t have the support of their family. I give credit to my parents, I’m fortunate to have not experience such discouragement. They’re always supportive. To true friends and my clients. I appreciate them in believing in me. I would like to give credit to my instructors. I must say they gave us a hard time but they pushed us to be great. I’m grateful for their knowledge and their continuous support. Lastly, I give credit to women-owned businesses. Seeing other women strength in their business and fulfilling their dream helps me to continue establishing my own. I say to anyone women, that has a dream or purpose to reach out and touch it. You will be amazed how much you can feel your dream be a reality if you only just try!

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