From Single Mom to Salon Owner: Lisa's 27-Year Entrepreneur Journey

What happens when a side job turns into a 27-year career?

In this episode of HighlightHer, I sit down with Lisa of Posh Nail Studio to talk about her journey from beauty school student and single mom to successful salon owner with strong community ties.

Lisa shares the ups and downs of building a business, including closing her first salon, rebuilding her clientele, pivoting when life required it, and ultimately creating a thriving business built on relationships, referrals, and consistency.

Listen in, and you will discover how much Lisa genuinely loves connecting with people. Whether she's helping a client turn a bad day around with a bright new nail color, creating specialty spa experiences, or welcoming longtime customers who've been with her for decades, connection is at the heart of everything she does.

In This Episode:

✨ How Lisa built a loyal client base over 27 years

✨ Making entrepreneurship work as a single mom

✨ Why pivoting isn't the same as giving up

✨ Advice for women considering starting a business

✨And more

Every woman can learn something from Lisa!

Connect with Lisa:

Follow Posh Nail Studio on Facebook to discover current specials and events!

Visit her salon in Wyandotte, MI.

Fun in the HighlightHer community:

Join HighlightHer over on Patreon. Jenny and guests continue the conversation after the episode ends and expand on topics related to life and entrepreneurship.

Claim your gift Advice, Encouragement & Lessons from 10 Female Entrepreneurs and also get each podcast episode delivered.

Join the fun with over 500 other HighlightHer Network fans on Facebook!

Be sure to follow the HighlightHer podcast so you can hear each episode. After all, you never know when her story will inspire your next step.

Know someone who should be a guest on the HighlightHer podcast? Nominate her here!

Want to start your own podcast? BuzzSprout simplifies it for you! Use my referral code, and we each get a $20 credit!

Need a place to create and store QR codes? QR Tiger to the rescue! Their dynamic QR codes make it easy to change out links should you want your code’s job to change. Use this referral link and we both get a gift.

Credits:

Editing: Greg Herman

Music: “Corporate Inspiration” track - by Oleksandr Savochka at Pixabay

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

I wish I would have done it earlier, but like I said, I wasn't planning on making this my career. I was doing it for like a side job, a backup plan, but I guess it was a backup plan that worked.

SPEAKER_02 0:09

Hi everyone, and welcome to Highlight Her. Before we get into the episode, I invite you to hit the follow button. It helps the show get delivered into your feed, and it's a free way to support the podcast. Today's featured entrepreneur is Lisa of Posh Nail Studio in Wyandotte, Michigan. She's been a nail technician for 27 years, so she knows what she's doing. Lisa loves her community and they love her back. Let's get started. Hi, Lisa. Thank you for joining us today. Hi. Thanks for having me. I'm so glad to have you. I know that your customers love you, and I can't wait to get to chat a little bit about your journey. But before we start that, have you recently had a moment where you thought this is why I do this?

SPEAKER_01 0:51

I have so many of those moments. Um I just had one the other day. A lady walked into the salon um and she's like, Oh my gosh, I was going to the bookstore and I seen that you were here and I've been following you for years. And I made an appointment one time and I wasn't able to come, but I'm gonna make an appointment. So when I hear that, like when I'm at vendor shows and um people come up to me and they're like, I've been following you forever. And it just it warms my heart because I think it's all about I connect with a lot of women and I have so many good conversations with them. So it it just it warms my heart when I when people say I was referred. I see you on Facebook all the time and people refer you all the time. So I think it's just about connection. Absolutely. And what would you say is your superpower? Is that part of it? Yes. I think it would be like having conversations with people, able to speak with people.

SPEAKER_02 1:39

So in your bio, you mentioned that you love helping people. And I know that you have some really faithful customers. Do you have a story that you'd like to share that shows how your services has have helped someone?

SPEAKER_01 1:52

I have them all the time. I mean, I I had one last week. It was funny. Um, one of my clients came in and she was like, Oh my god, this is the worst day I've ever had. I'm having such a bad day. And she looked at the colors, she goes, I want that lime green color on the wall. And I go, Okay. So we did it. I go, maybe we should put some polka dots on there. And she goes, Oh my gosh, let's do it. And she left here and she was like, I can't I can't even believe how happy I am now that I have these nails done. So I was like, times like those, like just the simplest things, like having your nails done a bright color can make your whole day better. So things like that just the it cracks me up because I'm like, really?

SPEAKER_02 2:26

That's all that's all it took. Look at you, you're in the business of making things better. Yeah. So how did you start your journey 27 years ago?

SPEAKER_01 2:37

Um, I started, I went to I went to beauty school in two thousand in the year 2000, I was pregnant. I was a single mom. I think I just did it for like maybe a sidekick job. I don't think I ever really saw myself being having this as a career. But I went there, I met a girl there. Our our energy matched, and we got through the school, and she got a job in a salon. I got a job in another salon, and I was driving by a building one day and it was for lease. And I called, I went to look at it. I called her and I said, Hey, if I get this building, you wanna come work, rent a table? She's like, I'll meet you there. You know, so we ended up going in half. We did that for three years. We had a three-year lease, and sh I was there all the time. I guess we didn't have the same goals because she wasn't there as much. Um, she still kept her other job, but I was there 24-7, it seemed like, and I had a newborn baby. So I was like really struggling with working and trying to spend time with my son. And the three years came up, and she was like, I can't do this anymore. I'm not making any money. So I tried to find somebody to get in there. I couldn't find anybody. So I had to make the decision to close that. And I went to work at a salon, um, my one of my friends' salons. She said she needed a nail tag. So I went there, it wasn't busy. So, in in my occupation in that in this business, you have to work to get your clients. It unless you're in a busy salon, you it's like you can't bounce around, you gotta like build your clientele. So but if you don't work, if you don't get anybody, you don't get paid. So it's it's really hard to build your clientele when you're first starting. And a lot of my clients that I used I had a salon in Allen Park, a few of them came with me, but a lot of people wanted to stay within their community, which a lot of communities are like that. So um I went to another salon, the same thing, it was slow, and then finally I was just like, I'm gonna take a break. So I found a direct selling company and I started doing that. I did that for four years, and I was I did very well with that. And then I seen a um ad on TV that a salon in Ann Arbor was hiring. So I went out there to see how that was. I worked there for like four years. It was good, it was busy, it was just a lot of drama. A lot of girls in one place, a lot of drama. So um it got it got to me to where I was like, I went home one day and I said, you know what? I'm gonna do this. I'm gonna try and do it at my house. I'm just gonna have a home-based salon, and I'm now I'm in control. I can control what I need to do to make it work. And I um I made my business page, I put my prices on there, I did it all up. I made a post and within one hour I had 10 people. I had 10 people booked. And I was like, oh, this is just a fluke, you know, like you know, so I I did it for six months and I was still working at the salon in Ann Arbor, and um it was consistent. So it was Memorial Day weekend, and I took all my stuff home from the salon because I knew it wasn't going back. And um, I started doing more hours, and I it's been consistent ever since. So I it's it's just something that I had to do. I've always been my dad had a business when we were growing up, we all worked for him. So I saw all his struggles, and it's just I think it's just in me that I want to be my own boss. I wanna I wanna make things happen for me. I don't want somebody else to, you know, dictate what you know. So I mean, I I you know, I I post all the time, I get new clients all the time, and it's been very consistent. I'm I feel very blessed.

SPEAKER_02 6:05

So that's how I'm I imagine that your superpower of conversation and connection helped you with that too. Yes, yes. Do you get a lot of referrals?

SPEAKER_01 6:13

Yes, a lot of my clients refer me. I actually when COVID hit, I got a lot of referrals, and I'm like, oh no, I'm not taking anybody during COVID. But um, yeah, a lot of my clients refer. I have a few that's like a lot of people. That must make you so happy. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 6:27

You mentioned some of your struggles. Would you say that it required a little bit of bravery on your part?

SPEAKER_01 6:33

Yes. A lot of people that I went to um beauty school with, a lot of people give up because it is hard to like get your own clients. It's it when you're first starting out, it's really hard to build that clientele. So um, I don't know. I wish I would have done it earlier, but like I said, I wasn't planning on making this my career. I was doing it for like a a side job, a backup plan, but I guess it was a backup plan that worked. Right. So, what are some things that helped you be brave? Um, just to keep going. I mean, I don't, I don't, I'm very motivated. I'm dedicated to a lot of things. And um, I am one that if I'm gonna go all in, I'm going all in. I'm not, you know, I just I keep telling myself like it's you know, you're just gonna you gotta do this, you know. It's gonna happen, you gotta do it, you gotta stick with it.

SPEAKER_02 7:18

I also like that you had your moment and you didn't quit, but you you pivoted for a little while.

SPEAKER_01 7:24

Can you tell us more about that? Well, when you're in business, just things go wrong, things happen, and you gotta you gotta adapt to what your situation is at the moment. Um at that time where I wasn't getting anywhere, I needed I needed a job at that time. I needed to make money and I wasn't making money. So it was really hard to um to sit there and not make any money. So, but then when I saw the opportunity and I went to the salon in Ann Arbor, they it was very, very busy. So I did very well there.

SPEAKER_02 7:51

And when were you able to move from your house to your current salon? For listeners that aren't in the area, you're in a physical salon now of your own.

SPEAKER_01 7:59

Yes. Um, that was three, I think it's coming up on three years. I moved away. Um, so I wanted to keep my customers downriver. So that's why I got the salon. Smart. And how long have you had the salon? It'll be three years this year, this November.

SPEAKER_02 8:14

Would you say that entrepreneurship has changed you in any way?

SPEAKER_01 8:18

Yes, it has made me um more dedicated. It makes me feel very proud to have built something from nothing from scratch. Um, because I've every customer that I've gotten, it's either a referral or you know, I I have kind I've connected with somebody, not having to depend on somebody else to get me work. So I think it's just made me stronger, more independent. Um, it's it's just it's it's wonderful. I love it. I would I mean there's there's so many things that could go wrong in a business don't having a business of your own, but I I just every day, every time something goes wrong, I just gotta be like, it'll it'll pass, it'll pass. You just gotta you gotta deal with it. Things happen.

SPEAKER_02 8:55

I imagine now that your son is older, is it just you that you're taking care of now? So so maybe it's not as scary when it's right, yeah, you by yourself as opposed to I have to keep this child alive and healthy and safe. Yes, yep, for sure. Your superpower of conversation and connection. Do you have little tricks that you use when you're at the salon with someone that you've never met before and you're trying to get to know them, draw them out? Maybe they're a little quieter than other people.

SPEAKER_01 9:23

Usually I get along with everybody and I uh they match my energy, but there are some people that are really quiet. And I sometimes I'm like, Well, this is kind of weird, you know, because I'm a talker. I can talk, talk, talk, talk. But then I have to like look back and like, well, maybe they just want to relax. Shut up, Lisa. But I'll yes, I'll try, you know, every conversation I can to talk with people. Do you have like standard questions, or you just go by what what's going on? Well, I mean, I'll ask them, you know, where they work or if they have kids, if they live in Windows. Um, you know, if they're watching anything good on TV, that's always a really good one. Because if somebody that watches TV, then that's the whole conversation the rest of the time. Because we're talking about movies and shows.

SPEAKER_02 10:02

In your day-to-day, do you have anything that you're looking toward that you're excited about a new step, or are you staying the course with what you've got?

SPEAKER_01 10:10

Um, I well, I've recently, the last couple years, I've added permanent jewelry to the salon. And um I am going to start doing um um farmers markets in July. Um, so we'll see how that goes. Because I I'm really busy with the salon part, the nail, you know, doing the nails and stuff that I don't really didn't think I would have time. So I'm gonna try it and see what happens. Um what brought you to permanent jewelry? Um, well, I was off for medical and I'm I can't never sit still. So and a lot of people were asking about it. They're like, What's this permanent jewelry? I go, I don't even know, you know. So I looked into it and a lot of people were, you know, asking, saying, you know, maybe I should do it. So I, you know, I over my um time that I had off, that's what I did. So I brought that in when I came back. So and it's it's done very well. It's hard to juggle two things. But I'm on track.

SPEAKER_02 10:58

I think it's a nice it seems like a nice kind of partner product and nails and spa. Um, you mentioned being a one-man show. What are some things that people don't see about business behind the scenes, entrepreneurship, being the owner of the business? What are some things that people don't get to see?

SPEAKER_01 11:18

Uh a lot, because it is a lot. Um, I am here usually two, I'm either here or running around in the morning two to three hours before I even start. So sometimes when I get to work, I'm already exhausted. I'm like, this is it's crazy. So um there's a lot of inventory ordering, cleaning, paperwork, um, late nights after you know someone leaves, you know, cleaning up, getting things ready for the next day. There is a lot that goes into it. Do you go to any networking type events to get your name out there? I used to a long time ago, but I have not been to one in a while. Not needed anymore. Well, I do a couple vendor shows, but it like I said, I don't I can't really fit that in because if I do a vendor show, I have to like move my people for that whole day to move it to probably as a date that I have off. So I do I'm very flexible in doing that. So that's why I wanted to do the farmers markets and we'll see what we'll see how what happens.

SPEAKER_02 12:11

So do you have a lot of recurring customers then that have a monthly date with you, so to speak?

SPEAKER_01 12:17

Yes. Yes. Yep. I have some people that come every two weeks, they have a standing appointment. I have people that come once a month, I have people that come, you know, just whenever they, you know, are going somewhere. So I have a lot of different, um, but a lot of them are standing appointments. Do you have any that have been with you for more than 10 years? I've had I have people that have been with me since I started. I love that. They followed me where they followed me wherever I went. And um, I have some very I I love all my clients. I I love them like they're not just my customers, they are, you know, my friend. You know, I've I just love having conversations with people because I've known them for a long time and we laugh together, we cry, we pray together. I just sometimes I feel like a psychologist. I believe that because we're I mean, people listen to me too. So, but I mean it's just like we have some a lot of good conversations.

SPEAKER_02 13:08

And you're like you said earlier, you get to help them on their bad days, you get to help them feel better. And so I imagine you have yes, you are the only person there, and it's really hard not to negate that, but you also have very rewarding moments, I would guess.

SPEAKER_01 13:24

Right. Yes, I do.

SPEAKER_02 13:25

Do you have a lot of um bridal party type things where you have a whole whole group in your studio?

SPEAKER_01 13:32

I do not. I used to do that um uh because I need it. Me and another girl used to do that. We used to go to bridal parties, we used to do spa parties. Um, I have not done that in a long time, but I used to do that a lot. But it I it I need help for that. I it for me to go by myself, I could do it, but it's gonna take longer. No one wants to sit there all day for that. But um, I do have a lot of people that come together. Um, I've had a group of four come and I just tell them it's just me. I can do it, but you're just you're gonna be here for a while. And and some people are okay with that. And then I'll get snacks, you know, we'll we'll have drinks and stuff. So I make it accommodating to people. I can I can definitely do it. Do you have a favorite service? Um, my specialty pedicures, I like those because they're I try to make them, you know, I have a lavender one that's all lavender products, and people like they like that. It's like a little bit more pampering. Um, it's a nice you know experience. So I try to come up with I try to come up with different, you know, different things, just the different vibe, a different experience.

SPEAKER_02 14:32

I see them on Facebook and I think, oh, that sounds divine. And um, I noticed for the summer you've got a tropical one going, which I think is a lot of fun.

SPEAKER_01 14:42

Yes. I just um yes, I just launched that one. I'm waiting for all the the scents to come in because it was hard to pick all the scent for that, but it's gonna be a fun one. I'm excited about it. Um, you know, I'm gonna be have tropical music going. They're gonna get a daiquiri, they're gonna have all the tropical scents, and it's you know, people like that. I I a lot of people have said, Oh, I like I like trying all the specialty ones. It's just a little, a little change, it's a little bit different, but it's just enough to make you feel more pampered. It's just a it's a cool I like doing different things. How did you come up with that? I don't know. I think I because I've had my mint, I I think one winter I was doing, I did a peppermint one. I you know, I'm like you, you know, you get a peppermint tea, and and then I just did a lavender one, and then I've the lemon one always sells out. I can't even find the products I was using for that. I mean, I can find other lemon products, but sometimes you'll order stuff and it doesn't really smell like lemon, it just smells like wax or something. I'm like, so this lady that made this, she can't find her ingredients anymore. So I'm trying to get that one back in because people keep asking me, like, I want the lemon one. I'm like, so I'm trying to find no good products because I don't like I don't want to do a lemon pedicure if you can't smell the lemon and you can't, you know what I'm saying? It's like I have I I like to look for you know really good product.

SPEAKER_02 16:00

Speaking of scents, you make your own lotion.

SPEAKER_01 16:03

Yes. I started doing that a few years ago.

SPEAKER_02 16:06

If you're local and listening, you really need to stop by Lisa's salon and sample her lotion because it is fantastic for sensitive skin. My sister got me hooked on it, and right now I think I have black cherry merlot or something like that. But I love the fruity scents, that's my preference. But your lotion is practically perfect.

SPEAKER_01 16:27

Thank you, thank you. Yes, you should see the production that goes in. Tell us more about it. It's it's hilarious because my ma helps me and she loves helping me. And uh we'll be in there making it and we're like we look like scientists. And it's so funny because I'll be like putting the scent in, and I'm like, I can't smell anything. And she goes, Oh, I can smell it. And I go, Yeah, I can't I can't smell it. And she goes, Oh, I it's strong. And I go, Well, I can't, I can't sell it if it's not gonna smell like what it says. So she's like, Oh, so it's just funny. We go back and forth, and then I think my nose just gets used to it, and then I'm like, Well, I don't want to bottle it until I can smell it because then I'll take it all out of the bottle and redo it. So it's it's pretty funny. We um we have fun making it, but we try to come up with different scents and uh, you know, mix some things together to make something new. I love it.

SPEAKER_02 17:15

What inspired you to start making your own lotion?

SPEAKER_01 17:18

Well, I was well, I use lotion every day here, you know, and I was like, um, you know, the prices just kept going up and up and up. And I'm like, you know what? I'm just gonna make my own. Because I used to make my own scrub to do the pedicures. I make my own scrub too. So I did that, and like, well, I'm just gonna make the lotion. Because even if I don't sell it, I'm still gonna use it. But you know, a lot of people I've it's been a hit because I've just I just need to make some more. I just sold a lot today and yesterday. So how often do you make it? Um, probably every last time I made it was small business Saturday. So that was November because I just haven't had time. So whenever it gets low, or yeah, uh because that I think I wanted to do that for Valentine's Day, but I I didn't make one for yes, I did. I don't know. If I run out fast, I'll make it. Um if I you know if it sits here for a little bit. I I usually go through it. So I'd say every maybe four, every four months, maybe. If unless I need it.

SPEAKER_02 18:09

Do you think that you're gonna stay a solo operation or are you looking to add a partner someday?

SPEAKER_01 18:14

Um, I probably will stay solo, but I I've been throwing the idea around lately um of getting someone else in here. I did have a couple girls walk in um asking me, you know, separately um if I wanted to um but I I I've tried it before with people and I just it's not that I I do have a trust issue with people because like I tried it when I worked out at my house. One of my friends, she's like, Can I just work Friday? Because I had two pedicure chairs. And I go, Yeah. Um, so sh she was only working one day and um, you know, she called off. So I had to call, you know, because it's my name. And it it's like so I had to call the people and say, well, you know, she, you know, called instead. You know, so I ended up giving them free services because I don't it's my name. You know, I don't want anybody like ruining that. I built it and I've it's taken a long time to build my my reputation. And I tell people, like, if there's something wrong, I'll fix it, you know. I want you to be happy. So, um, but I I I've been trying to um I'm throwing the idea around of collaborating with a few other businesses to bring services in here maybe a few days a week to add to um the services that they get here. So I did that um Valentine's Gala and that went really well. And a lot of people liked that, you know, a lot of people asked, like, are is she gonna be here? Is she you know, why don't you get her in here, you know? So um I'm I'm we're working on something like that, and hopefully that works out.

SPEAKER_02 19:40

So something that would be kind of like a parallel service, but not your specific service. Right, yes. I like that idea. I know for I think it was Galantine's Day when you had the chair massage lady. Yes, yep.

SPEAKER_01 19:53

I think that's a great idea. That went really well. Yeah, she was busy. We were all busy. That was it was a good day. Um, it was a I had a lot of good people here, a lot of a lot of good companies that um that were really good.

SPEAKER_02 20:05

I love that. Do you I know you said you are looking to do some farmer markets? So these collaborations are they new for you? These events where you're collaborating with other local businesses? Yes. That's great. Well, it's time for our lightning round. Are you ready? Yes. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Coffee. That is the winning answer. Are you a night owl or an early bird? I have to say both.

SPEAKER_01 20:30

I hate it. But I'm both because I like I stay up late at night and I get up early. So do you have an app or tool that helps you run your business? Uh Facebook and my um scheduling. Um, it's called Goldie. It's my scheduling.

SPEAKER_02 20:44

Okay. And what's your favorite way to unwind after a long day?

SPEAKER_01 20:48

Netflix. Netflix, Netflix.

SPEAKER_02 20:50

I like that. And that gives you a lot of connection with your customers, right?

SPEAKER_01 20:54

Right, exactly. See, I watch a lot of movies. And if somebody watches the same as me, we're on a good conversation. I love that.

SPEAKER_02 21:01

Is there another female entrepreneur that you'd like to highlight?

SPEAKER_01 21:05

Um, yeah. She was here for my Galantine's um, Angela with Majestic Threads. She blew me away. She came in and she's I talked to her and I said, Well, I'm doing this, you know, Gala. And I think she contacted me. I don't I don't remember. And I said, Well, it's kind of small in here. I'm not sure if you'll have enough room. And she's like, Oh, I can make anything work. And I go, Well, do you want to come in and look and see like where if it would work? She goes, No, I I it'll work. It's fine. So she came and I was busy up front most of the day. And she came and she sat up, and I seen her bringing everything in. I it didn't even cross my mind. I went back, I had her set up in the pedicure room, and she had it looking like a boutique. It she had so much stuff in there. I was like, she had a rug, she had mannequins, she had I was just I couldn't even find her in there. I'm like, Where what? And I go, she goes, I go, you set this up all the time. And she goes, Yeah, and I go, Oh my gosh, this is crazy. And then when she left, it took her like 15 minutes. She had it all down in her car, she was out of here. I was like, Wow, but she um she just got it, um, I guess she's gonna be doing a mobile boutique. So I'm excited to see what she does with her. Me too.

SPEAKER_02 22:11

Actually, yes, and she's going to be, I can't remember if she's going to be the end of season two or in the beginning of season three. So she's in the lineup.

SPEAKER_00 22:20

Yes, okay, good.

SPEAKER_02 22:21

Yes, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 22:21

I'm excited.

SPEAKER_02 22:23

Yeah, she was really good. Well, Lisa, if you had one piece of advice for women who are considering starting their own business, what would you tell them?

SPEAKER_01 22:32

One piece of advice, um or a couple. I I would say to make a plan um and don't give up. Just keep going. There's gonna be hard days and you just gotta get through them.

SPEAKER_02 22:43

Really good advice. If you're inspired by Lisa and you want to follow her on social media, you can find her on Facebook as Posh Nails by Lisa. I'll be sure to link that in the show notes for you. Lisa, thank you so much for giving us your time today and sharing your story. Thank you for having me. Audience, do you want more conversations like this? Come join the Highlight Her Community newsletter in the show notes. I'll send new episodes, surprises, and behind the scenes updates to your way. And if you want to hear what we chat about when the episode ends, you can find Lisa's after the highlight chat with me over on Patreon starting tomorrow. Thanks for listening.