Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannen G
Hi Shannen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in the Philippines and grew up in a small town named the art capital of the country. Growing up i remember always wanting to paint my own nails and cannot wait to be old enough to get it professionally done. If am not doing my own nails, I’m doing my friends’ nails. I have always considered myself crafty and fortunate enough to have been supported by my mom to explore art in anyway we can afford. I remember not having enough patience with anything and finding myself bored in alot of things i tried, thinking i will never find that 1 special thing i really like not knowing i am already doing it and just not realizing.
When i migrated to San Diego, i didn’t really have any idea where to start. I focused on finding a job and putting my survival jacket on like most people, i put my passions aside and focused on doing whatever i can to survive. When i was introduced to the American way of nail services, i was fascinated by the never ending possibilities of designs, shapes, and colors that reminded me of how much i love to get mine done. Then, the pandemic hit and all of a sudden i am stuck working from home with a mentally draining job.
I know i needed an outlet before i lose it completely and started teaching myself to rollerskate because it is one of my frustrations growing up and when i learned how, i slowly lost interest and i have to start from scratch again. 1 night, i was telling my husband that i think i need to let go of my job and start doing something else. I will never forget what he told me. “If you will change your career, you better do something you’re really interested in”. And first thing that came to mind is that i always want my nails done and if i chose to be a nail tech, then it will always feel more like a hobby rather than a job.
I started learning how to do acrylics on my own nails by watching youtube tutorials. And when i learned how, i got so excited and i change my polish or nail art 3x a week, then 1 day i damaged my own nails and i was so scared that it will never be normal again. My husband then put me to school to learn how to do it properly and here i am today fully licensed in my own nail studio. My business name is KUKO which means nails in Tagalog to incorporate where i am from.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Letting go of a steady source of income to pursue your passion is never easy. It took months before i built the courage to leave my full time job and signed up for school the same day.
Then i realized, that in the industry i’m choosing, experience is crucial to make it once i graduate. So i volunteered to do free externship outside of school while i am also doing services during school hours to build my portfolio and list of experience faster. After finishing school, I realized that i prefer to work alone which means doing everything on my own.
Looking into the nail tech industry closer, it opened my eyes to how much competition there is, so i have to come up with at least 1 advantage over other nail technicians. That’s when i tried practicing nail art and other than being an advantage, it taught me a very valuable lesson, patience. The more i focus and trust the process, the better the outcome will be.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a licensed nail technician. I provide nail care as well as nail art services to those who want to express themselves in this way.
Though my nail care is spotless, and being known for my cuticle care, nail enhancements and nail art is where I feel I truly shine.
I am most proud of providing a new level of confidence to my clients and being able to develop meaningful relationships with them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kuko.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kukonails4u/profilecard/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556514484928&mibextid=LQQJ4d
