Today we’d like to introduce you to Dara Kincade.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dara. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I had graduated Prairie View A&M University summer of 2018 with my Bachelor of Health. After graduating, I jumped right into graduate school in October of 2018 to get my Masters in Public Health and also started my career as a medical debt collector. Yes, a debt collector! The pay was great but overall, I was unhappy because I wasn’t where I wanted to be. I had a roadblock that leads to me taking a detour from going to nursing school and I didn’t understand how I got myself in this position and started questioning what was my purpose in life overall. So I took it day by day at the company that I was so dissatisfied with for about 10months. On a random weekend, I brought my first beginner nail kit and realized it was soothing and therapeutic for me to take my mind off everything that was dissatisfying to me and that was the spark of something amazing. I was confused because I was actually happy doing this craft for hours and I didn’t understand how and why designing nails would bring me so much peace.
Within’ a couple of months, I started getting obsessed with nail and began teaching myself from watching famous YouTube nail techs. I was improving rapidly to have been just a beginner, BUT I wasn’t confident with a skill I taught myself. Working at this job I hated so much I made it work in my favor and with the money I saved, I thought it would be smart to invest in myself take a class to correct some mistakes I knew I was making and continue to hoarder more nail products not having a clue where it would lead me. February of 2019, I took my first one and only nail class who everyone knows as “Nailed by John”. Building up confidence I quit my job as a debt collector and took that leap of faith never looking back. March of 2019, I began excepting clients and was doing nails out of my living room! I was super nervous doing this while still in grad school full time on top of having a job as a server.
Fast forwards to March of 2020, the PANDEMIC! I was doing nails but not enough to where I could depend on that being my only source of income and left me feeling stuck again when I got laid off from the restaurant due to the virus outbreak. With nothing in mind the very next day after getting laid off, I opened my nail availability full time because at that point has nothing else to do. Instantly, business spiked and boomed like never before. I was booked everyday all day from March until today! It was definitely unexpected and overwhelming I had moved from doing nails in my living room to and entire nail room in the matter of three months! The biggest life lesson learned was to trust and have faith in your process because this was definitely a blessing in disguise. I didn’t know what direction to go in after grad school but now the veil had been lifted and my path is clear. At 23, this is just the beginning of an incredible journey.
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?
Definitely not a smooth road but learned A LOT about myself, others, and how to handle and conduct business. Two main struggles I had was I wasn’t confident! I was selling myself short I had to learn to not get discouraged and remind myself I am self-taught everything I know how to do I taught myself completely. Another struggle was me understanding everyone isn’t the same or thinks the way I do. Interacting with different people, I had to learn how to address individuals and learn as the business professional how to get control of situations and not let situations control me. At the end of the day, your business is a direct reflection of you.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Bourgeois Nail Bar – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
My brand name is Bourgeois Nail Bar the name is French and has a twist which I loved. I wanted to find the technical name for what everyone abbreviates as “Bougie” did some research to find the full name is “Bourgeois”. I specialize in nail enhancements and do anything ranging from short, long, to extra-long nails. I love my clients to give me ideas of what they want and make it a priority to bring their ideas to life through nail art. My clients are my priority, therefore a complimentary drink is on the house and I make sure each session is relaxing and therapeutic for my clients and may turn on some music or a movie for them to enjoy while getting pampered.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Upon completing my graduate program in May of 2021. Next up is nail school which I am really excited about! This will help me perfect my craft and elevate to the next level.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bourgeoisnailbar.com
- Email: darakincade@gmail.com
- Instagram: BourgeoisNailBar
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