Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffani Byrum.
Tiffani, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started my nail business because I wanted to pursue a passion in my life. I initially went to nail school during my senior year in high school at a trade school called Harkness in Buffalo, NY. I earned my license after graduation and worked all summer in a salon to earn money for college. In the summer of 06′ I moved to Atlanta to attend Clark Atlanta University. Once I got into the swing of school, I was very focused on my grades and I slowly stopped doing nails altogether. In college, I focused more on my fashion background and started styling and growing my clientele. I earned a Bachelors in Arts majoring in Fashion Design & Merchandising. Upon graduation, I dove right into retail management and juggled my work-life balance with having a young child. I have worked my way up the corporate retail ladder and spent years building brands and growing businesses. I have always been great people and always wanted to go into business for myself.
Around November of 18′ I was matriculating up the corporate ladder at my job quickly but I just was feeling unfulfilled with my work life. I also felt like I was missing out on a lot with my son, being a single mom and working full-time is draining all on its own. I started to constantly have a dream about me having a prosperous nail business, so much that it would wake me out of my sleep. I had that dream for months! I talked to my mother about my plans to possibly go back to nail school part-time. But I was struggling on how I was going to manage my full-time job, my son and all his activities, and school. I was ready to build and grow my own brand and work something I was passionate about. Don’t get me wrong I did enjoy my job and my staff, but I knew it wasn’t my calling. Finally in February, I decided to just walk in faith and leave my job. My last day of working corporate retail was February 27th. I enrolled in nail school the very next day full-time and worked very hard to graduate. I literally felt the most peace of mind as soon as I left my job. I earned my nail technician license and have been fully dedicated to being a full-time nail technician ever since. I love what I do!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think when you have a complete career change it’s never going to be a smooth ride. If it hadn’t been a bumpy ride you might not be working hard enough. I think the difference is when you are doing something you’re passionate about, all the struggles are so worth it. I have definitely had some struggles so far since I’ve become a full-time nail tech. I did good with saving money before I left my job, but you are never truly prepared for how much you must invest into your business. There have been countless nights of stress and tears on how bills are going to be paid but the Lord has always made away. When you work for yourself there is no one other than yourself to get up and go make money. I no longer have my salaried paid job with three weeks vacation and personal days. If I take a day off that’s a day I didn’t make any money. You have to be very self-motivated to be an entrepreneur. My business had been consistently growing and my close circle has been great at supporting my dream. I’m sure that there is nothing but great things to come for my business! Stay tuned!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am Prissy & Polished LLC. I am a licensed nail technician that specializes in nail enhancements, pedicures, and creative nail art. My services extend to corporate staff pampering, spa parties, mobile services, and diabetic pedicures. I like to give my clients a very intimate experience when they are being serviced. I like to educate all my clients on healthy nail care. I’m a statistics girl coming from a corporate background, so I always research my competitors. In Atlanta, the nail world is dominated by 73% Asian owned nail salons. I want to be the one to change the game. I have big plans on growing my business. I understand that my business has to be bigger than just myself. I heard someone say once “Be the mall… Not just one of the stores in the mall.” I have tunnel vision with my business! Expect to see bigger and better things from Prissy & Polished in 2020!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love that Atlanta is a melting pot of people. Being from Buffalo originally, Atlanta has so much culture and history especially in the black community. I love seeing this perfect blend of backgrounds that you get here. Atlanta also has so many opportunities. It is so rich in the arts that a person like me is constantly inspired. The amount of creativity packed in this city is insane! I would say the only downfall is the traffic, but if you been here long enough then you know the back roads to get to everywhere.
Pricing:
- Acrylic full sets start at $40
- Pedicures start at $35
Contact Info:
- Address: 2617 Paces Ridge, Atlanta GA 30339
- Website: https://prissynpolished.as.me
- Phone: 678-956-7620
- Email: prissynpolished@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/prissynpolished
- Facebook: Facebook.com/prissynpolished
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