Victoria Wreen Bah
Courtesy of Victoria Wreen Bah
AGE || 42
COMPANY NAME || Victoria’s Nails 24HR. Mobile Nail Services
JOB TITLE || Nail Artist and Owner
COMPANY START DATE || August 2018
YEARS LIVING IN NEW YORK || 3
SOCIAL HANDLES || @nailsbyvictoriawreenbah, @vwreendesign, and @vwreen
COMPANY WEBSITE || Victoria’s Nails
What did you want to be as a child?
As a child I can’t remember what I wanted to be but I can remember being a little artist young in life. There are many childhood stories of my early artistic moments.
What’s the best piece of advice you were given when you were starting out?
Just start. Stop waiting for someone else to see my potential to fund my business. Just start with what I have.
What is the biggest sacrifice you’ve made in starting or running your business?
The biggest sacrifice I made starting my 24HR. Mobile Nail Services was resigning from my salon position in August 2018, leaving a steady paycheck to freelance. I didn’t have a full clientele nor an agent.
How do you define success?
Defining success is a constant battle. I honestly understand now that success can be [as] simple as you make it in your life. I am hard on myself so success for me is seeing my goals checked off my list.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned since starting out?
Self-control.
What is your go-to motivational quote?
Treat people the way you want to be treated.
How did you first get involved in nail art?
I was self taught. Since age 16 I’ve done nails for ladies I know, even worked in a salon for a few days as a teenager trying out salon life. I began my professionally licensed nail art journey in 2015. I also have a degree in Fine Arts and Fashion Design. I wanted to bring my love for nails, art, and fashion together.
Do you have a personal motto?
“Go hard or stay home.” If I show up it’s game on! If I stay home I wasn’t able to deliver. I don’t do half of anything on purpose.
Which women inspire you?
Right at this very moment I am inspired by women in general. Women are taking control of their destiny. Women are empowering me.
What is your workspace like?
Being that I run a Mobile Nail Salon my workspaces often change. My workspace could be in a salon, in a hotel, on a video shoot or on location in some remote secret location.
How do you overcome moments of self-doubt?
Self-doubt is real. The way I overcome self-doubt usually is by just going for what I know. I have surprised myself after the smoke cleared.
What is the hardest part about being your own boss?
One of the hardest tasks starting out is keeping up with my social media pages, saving, and budgeting.
How do you handle situations where you feel overwhelmed?
In overwhelming artistic situations I grab my sketchbook to troubleshoot. In life sometimes you can’t always walk away and regroup. When I can I do.
What has been the most rewarding or exciting moment in growing your own business?
The most rewarding aspect of owning my own nail business is 100% profit coming to me and my business. The connections I make will continue to be building blocks for future business.
What is a typical day for you?
My days are vastly different. They can be filled with 5 to 8 nail appointments. I could be on set for a TV show or film, acting or doing nails for a celebrity, or acting myself. I am also an actor member of The Screen Actors Guild of America. Also, I still take salon clients 4 days a week.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.