On a lamp-lit table in a homey bedroom, the sharp, pungent smell of nail polish fills the air as meticulous brushes design a set of nails into perfection. With the click of a phone camera, they’re posted on an artsy Snapchat story for potential customers to see. Immediately, a notification pops into sight, signaling that eager clients are interested in ordering their own set of dazzling nails. 

Raghd Kirja ’28 started making her own press-on nails two years ago as an alternative to chemical filled professional nail styling. Since then, it’s taken off into a successful business with dozens of customers on a weekly basis. 

The following interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. 

What inspired you to start your business?

Towards the end of sixth grade, I had been asking my mom, “Hey, can I go get my nails done? Because a lot of girls in my grade are starting to do it.” And my mom was really against that. She didn’t want the damage, and she didn’t think it was appropriate for my age. So then, during that summer, I was like, “Okay, well, can I buy some things and try to make them on my own?” [I was also inspired by] all the videos I would see online. I just saw how they were able to make them so pretty from nothing, so [they] inspired me.
I had always moved from one hobby to another. I had jewelry making, slime making, all the makings. So then [my mom] bought me all the stuff, and I just started practicing, practicing, practicing. And I showed up to school with a nail set that I’d done, and people were asking me, “Did you get them done?” And I was like, “No, I made them myself.” And then I had the idea: what if I could sell them? Because people looked really interested in it. And that’s when I started, [in] seventh grade.

How did you advertise your business and find a location to do nails?

I became obsessed with buying nail stuff over the summer, so I had a bunch of it. I had buckets of nails, gel polish and some nail tips. I just got a lamp, and I started doing that on my desk where I used to do all my homework and stuff, and every time I made one for myself or for anyone else, I posted it on my story on Snapchat, and I’d try to maybe add more people who would be interested in nails. So, most of my advertising is through just posting nails. 

What’s usually the price range for your nails?

They used to be $15-20, $15 for simple designs, $20 for things that would take more time, but I might be [increasing] that. 

For someone who doesn’t know, could you explain how you make the nails?

On Amazon, you can buy a bunch of nail supplies. And I know people do it that way at home for their own nails as well. I get clear tips; there’s a bunch of different sizes, and you can size [them for] whoever, and they don’t have anything on them; they’re just clear. I get the gel polish, and first, you just lay down the colors for the design, and then you use a long, thin brush for all the fine work. Then if you want to add gems or anything, you would want to put a top coat and then stick the gems on. And then all of that gets cured, step by step, in the nail lamp for 90 seconds.

What’s one of the hardest things about starting and managing your business?

When I have a test, and I have to get my nails done around the same time, because I have to choose between studying for my test and trying to finish the nails. It takes me three to four hours to make one nail set [which is] all 10 nails. At first, I thought I’d just need to get the nails done as soon as I can. I would sometimes choose them over schoolwork. But now I give my clients the latest time that I can have them by, for example, right now I have a client, she said, Sept. 11, and just this week, I have a test. I could have started them this week, but I’m starting them this weekend instead because I have a test. I had that leeway of when I can do them, I just need to get them done by a certain date, which is better for me when it comes to school work. 

Earlier you said your mom didn’t approve of you getting your nails done professionally, how has she supported you now that you have your own business?

At first, she was like, I don’t want the damage to your nails; I don’t think you’re old enough for that. So, I only started wearing nails when I got to middle school. [Now], I just make them and post them and make them for other people, too. She supports me a lot, like, with buying [the nail] stuff. Also, whenever I’m done with a nail order, the first person I go to show is her. She’s really supportive of it [and] she’s really proud of it, too.

What changes have you had since you first started doing nails?

At first I would get maybe one order every three, four weeks. Not a lot of people knew about it, but now I get questions on the daily like, “How much are your nails? How can I get them?” And there’s a lot more activity around it. And I’ve also definitely gotten better. If I look back at some of my older ones, they look horrendous, but I definitely think I’ve gotten better at doing them. 

What’s your favorite nail design?

My favorite nail design for when clients come to me is when they get a French tip because it’s really simple, and I can just get it done and easy. But I’d say my favorite nail design is basically the French tip, but [with] swirls inside the tip. I have a bunch of nail inspo on my Pinterest, so I’d say either this or really simple designs. 

When you are making nails, are you more focused on having fun, or are you trying to make a profit?

It’s kind of both. I really do like making nails. Sometimes it’s a little stressful, like when you mess up on them a little bit or when the designs are harder. But it’s mostly now a balance between fun and making a profit, because I absolutely hate doing nails on myself, so then when I do nails for other people, it’s more fun for me. 

Are there any funny stories you’d like to share about experiences with clients and making nails?

I don’t know if [it was] funny, but one time [with] this girl, I had made her nails, and I gave it to her, and she lost them. She was like, “I’m so sorry, I lost them, can I get some new ones and I’ll pay you and everything?” I had finished making the new ones, and then she found them. I don’t know if that’s funny or if it’s a little like, argh, she got two nail sets that day, so it was a great day for her. 

Do you think you will continue doing nails after high school?

I think so if I have some downtime in college, or even when I start my job, that [it will be] just a hobby on the side. I’d also like to learn how to do them on people’s nails because right now I just do press-ons.