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 Shantae Morris (@empressnailsyeg). She is a 21-year-old nail tech at Empress Nails Studio and Academy in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Q&A:
Nailpro (NP): What is a fun fact about you?
Shantae Morris (SM): I am currently pursuing my degree in nursing.
NP: How did you get your start as a nail tech?
SM: I started doing nails by watching YouTube videos and copying what I saw. I purchased my products from Amazon and practiced for about six months before I started taking clients.
NP: What do you love about your job?
SM: I get to create a safe space for the amazing women I meet that allows them to unload, unwind and relax.
NP: What advice would you give to beginner nail techs?
SM: Perfecting your technique and retention as a beginner will help you to secure returning clients rather than having great design technique with sets that don’t last.
NP: What is your current favorite nail trend?
SM: I’m in love with airbrush sets and the 3D wave tips.
NP: What is your favorite service to offer?
SM: I started with acrylic only then added Gel-X and acrylic toes. I would say Gel-X is my favorite right now because I figured out how to do a fill-in.
NP: What is your proudest achievement?
SM: I never gave up, and because of that, I was able to quit my three jobs and do this full time.
NP: What do you love about the nail industry/community?
SM: There is always something new. There is room for all of us to grow and be innovators and inspire each other. I also love how we support each other and encourage beginner techs to keep going.
NP: What are your current career goals?
SM: My top goal as a nail tech is to have an aesthetics academy, where my students can learn any combination of skills to build their dream business and offer scholarships to help them start out.
