Senior Jasmine McNair only learned nail design because her mother didn’t allow her to go to nail salons. She didn’t think she could make a business out of it. Until she did.

“I was looking for a creative outlet,” said McNair, who is also the editor-in-chief of Prestige YearBook. “I was having some free time and I thought this (nail design) would be the best.”

McNair started her business last December in 2024. McNair’s business mainly serves the senior class since she often catches their attention when they notice her nails. She runs the business in her home, where she offers both manicures and nail extensions.

“My favorite thing is practicing,” McNair said. “I love when people ask me to do nails or different things they’ve seen on TikTok or Instagram.”

Since then, McNair’s business has progressed rapidly. Her business allows her to get to know people from her school she would’ve never known otherwise. Her favorite part of the business is experimenting with nail extensions, although it can be difficult to accomplish.

“I’m still a beginner,” McNair said. “I’m learning as I go and I’ll get tips and tricks from TikTok.”

Managing a business can be tiresome for McNair, especially as a novice nail artist and a first-time business owner. Although it is time-consuming to manage all of her appointments, she still enjoys the self-expression and self-discipline that comes with nail design and plans to continue it after high school.

“It’s teaching me a lot about responsibility,” McNair said. “(I’m) learning about the profit I’m making and how much I need to charge.”