Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyra S.
Hi Kyra, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I was in 6th grade the very first time I got my nails done. My sister and I had begged my Godmom to take us with her to the nail shop. The whole time we were being serviced, my sister and I were talking about how easy it looked and how we could probably do it. Fast forward to a few weeks later, we were grocery shopping with my mom and we picked up a Kiss acrylic kit and convinced her to buy it for us. We went home and immediately started doing our own nails. They were butchered of course, but when we went to school the next day our friends didn’t think so. We experimented on ourselves, friends, and cousins but we eventually started back going to the nail shop. Fast forward to my second year in college, my sister and I were on the phone, and she made the statement “I think you should start doing nails just to make a little extra money.” I remember being indecisive about it, but a few weeks later, I started YouTube University on how to do nails. I started practicing on myself and my friends again. Christmas came around, and the only thing on my Christmas list was nail supplies and equipment. I was doing nails out of the living room of my first apartment in Hoover. I would go home (Selma) on the weekends and do nails in my parents’ den. I started working in my first shop in 2019. Then in 2020 I purchased a shed, put it in my parents’ backyard, and turned it into a nail shop. What started as a quick way to make some extra money turned into craft that I became very passionate about.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. This has probably been the longest journey ever, but nothing worth having comes easy, right? And God, my friends, and family played a huge role in helping me get through them all. I went from 2 failed apprenticeships, dropping out of nail school due to unforeseen circumstances, getting discouraged and going on a hiatus, to falling back in love with my craft, finding the perfect school, to searching for the perfect workspace.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My brand, RiVamp’d specializes in acrylic nail enhancements, manicures, and press-on nails. I was first known for revamping/transforming nail shop nails, but now I’m most known for being able to recreate any set my clients bring me.
My newest venture has been “When Nail Babes Link” a local nail tech meet and greet that I’m working towards making global. The perfect way for nail techs from all over to meet and learn from one another.
I’m most proud of the fact that despite all the challenges I’ve faced, I still kept going and made it to where I am today. My main priority is always making sure my clients are satisfied, and if you know anything about the nail industry, that’s one thing that’s not prioritized in chop shops like it should be. RiVamp’d provides a luxury experience to make every woman feel like the doll they are.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I feel like anything you want out of life is on the other side of taking a risk. No risk, no reward, right? Deciding to become a full-time Nail Tech would have to be the biggest risk I ever taken. Especially working in the service industry because no one tells you about all the challenges you have to go up against, and even if they do tell you, they still can’t prepare you for them. All the ups and downs, wanting to give up, and sometimes questioning if you made the right decision. But in the end, it all feels worth it. A lot of days it’s just me and God but you gotta have to have that drive and determination to keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rivampd.as.me
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/rivampd?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@doseofRi?si=dTUbM4apodGeKpVR
Image Credits
Kulturektion Studios
