We are spotlighting the winners of Nailpro’s 30 Under 30 competition for 2023, featuring 30 nail artists under 30 years of age.
Get to know Nicole So (@somoneynails). She is a 23-year-old nail tech based out of Alexandria, Virginia.
Q&A:
Nailpro (NP): What is a fun fact about you?
Nicole So (NS): I don't have a favorite color like most people! I've always been interested in art since I was a little girl and noticed my favorite color would change all the time! I finally decided that all colors are beautiful, so I could never just choose one.
NP: How did you get your start as a nail tech?
NS: In 2019, I started doing nails as just another curious art venture. I had a passion for creating art, learning new art skills and starting new projects regularly. It was my freshman year of college, and my mom gave me $150 to buy a cheap starter kit from Amazon. From there, I started practicing on my friends for free in my dorm room, using my little plastic drawers as a desk!
NP: What do you love about your job?
NS: The absolutely most favorite thing about my job is the relationships I get to build with my clients! I view my nail room as a safe space for my clients to come regardless of how they're feeling or what they may be going through. It allows me to connect with them on a deeper level and maybe even help them feel better not just physically but emotionally as they are leaving me. A lot of techs say that we almost play the role of a "therapist" for our clients, and I love that aspect of my job so much.
NP: Where do you find inspiration?
NS: I find inspiration in anything and everything but particularly from other very talented artists! I love to admire and give homage to artists (not just nail artists) that are the creators of certain designs and styles. I love to recreate them with a different flare of mine!
NP: What is a piece of advice you would give to nail techs who are just getting started in the industry?
NS: STAY CONSISTENT but be kind to yourself. When learning how to do nails or just starting to service clients, there are a lot of challenges that you may face and a lot of moments where you may find yourself frustrated with where you are at, skill wise or business wise. Remembering that your hard work will pay off in due time and staying proud of yourself is so important to carry through this entire process.
NP: What is your current favorite nail trend?
NS: My favorite nail trend right now is Abstract 3D art! I love it because it is so versatile and allows me so much creative room.
NP: What is your favorite service to offer?
NS: My favorite nail service to perform is a dry manicure. Most first-time clients of mine express to me how they have not received such level of care when it comes to the health of their natural nails and cuticle maintenance until they have come to me! It makes me proud to know that I was able to give them that experience.
NP: What is your proudest achievement?
NS: One of my proudest achievements as a nail technician was when I became an educator to my nail students! Being able to teach them a new skill that could provide them a career opportunity was a major milestone in my career.
NP: What do you love most about the nail community/industry?
NS: The thing I love the most about the nail community is the amount of global love and support artists give each other! I've been able to become friends with a number of women that are a part of the industry simply through the way we admire each other's work!
NP: What is a career goal you have for yourself?
NS: My top goals as a nail technician are to open my own supply store where artists can come and find in-person, quality supplies that they would usually have to purchase online and to continue to become an educator to girls and women, creating more entrepreneurs.
