Today we’d like to introduce you to Meredith Winters.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born in San Diego where my love of the sun, sand, and sea began. My family relocated to Seattle, but I always knew in my heart San Diego would be home again someday. Seven years ago, I made a decision to leave behind my friends, family and wonderful job at a top architecture firm in Seattle to move to San Diego. I made a smooth transition into an engineering firm, landed a sweet apartment in Little Italy and my dog Duke and I was happy. But not for long, the corporate life had started to take its toll on me. Spending day after day behind a phone or a computer was not for me. San Diego’s warm heart and community embraced me as I embarked on a journey towards my dream job.
I have always had a strong creative soul, I grew up playing the piano, painting and playing sports. One beauty routine was consistent throughout childhood. I have always loved to have my nails painted. My nail polish obsession started to blossom in high school as a creative expression, using tape and stickers to create nail art, matching my nails to my outfits. I read every tip I could in magazines and always mimicked patterns and color palettes represented in fashion. This continues on throughout my life today.
After deciding to leave my corporate career, many hearts to heart talks with myself and family, and working with Janet Nicksic of Consciously Flow, I decided to turn my fun and creative hobby into a career. I enrolled in a manicuring program in the evenings and during the day, working at The Animal Healing Center, a veterinarian that provides holistic care for animals such as acupuncture and chiropractic. It was a busy and tiring time but I loved having a job working with animals, a big passion of mine, and learning my way towards a new career. Immediately upon passing my State Board exam in 2013, my school instructor introduced me to a salon owner downtown at VaVa Varnish where I worked for 2.5 years. I gained a lot of knowledge and experience there and developed some AMAZING clientele. When it was time for me to move to Style Lounge and rent my own space there all of those great clients followed me. And there, I continued to grow my client base and skills. I have taken various certification courses, I am certified with Swarovski Crystals, and am constantly on the hunt for the next new nail trend. After five years of working downtown, it was finally time for my transition into a larger space.
The Nail Unit in Point Loma is a blissful escape, full of color and creativity with lots of fun friendships!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In 2011, when I joined Instagram #nailart was one of the top hashtags where girls from all over the world were being exposed to a type of art they had never seen before. Today that hashtag has over 43 million tags. There are many obstacles to this industry, every day I wish I could grow another set of arms, haha. But every day, I choose to focus on how grateful I am forgetting to have a career in an ever growing and changing industry. My clientele is my friends, we laugh, we cry, we share secrets. And, I wouldn’t change that for the world.
Anyone starting out in this industry can learn so much by just reaching out. The nail artist community is filled with the most lovely people, usually covered in glitter and are always willing to lend a tip. YouTube is a beginner and an expert’s best friend. I watch A LOT of videos. Practice, practice and practice some more. People are always amazed at how I am able to do my own nails, well, I’ve spent a lot of time practicing on myself!
Please tell us about The Nail Unit.
Creating some clean, beautiful nails is my number one priority when working with a client. A bonus is that a special connection is formed when you walk through the door of The Nail Unit. The private setting allows us to work one on one to reach your desired nail goals. With over 200 gel colors to choose from, Swarovski crystals, glitters, chrome pigments, a matte polish, and hand painted nail art each client’s nails are custom created. My art collection is ever growing. My creativity is inspired by beautiful things in everyday life. As I work with a client and we get to know one another, we are able to come up with some creative and unique styles just for them. Clients bring in pictures of nail art ideas and we customize the replication to fully express who they are as well. I love holding a clients hand while they play with bold new colors and nail art ideas!
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
I created The Nail Unit after reading this definition.
u·nit (noun)
1. an individual thing or person regarded as single and complete but which can also form an individual component of a larger or more complex whole.
Although I am a solo nail artist, being part of the manicurist industry as a whole I never feel alone. There is a wonderful amount of support from fellow nail artist from all over the globe. And watch out when we finally meet in person. It’s a glitter gel polish explosion! @heynicenails @nailthoughts @ninanailedit @nail_swag just to name a few…
Pricing:
- Gel Manicure $35
Contact Info:
- Address: Salons by J.C.
3651 Midway Dr. Suite 5
San Diego, CA 92110 - Website: thenailunit.com
- Phone: 858-609-9261
- Email: nailsbymeredith@gmail.com
- Instagram: TheNailUnit
- Facebook: The Nail Unit
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
