So, I’ve been faking happiness with my job. I have been a nail technician (manicurist) for about 6 years, on and off. The last two years, is when I really started to grow a passion for it. I love to polish nails and helping people pick out colors for parties, vacations, and everyday life. I love making people feel good about their hands and feet. Most people would gag at some of the things I have to deal with, but in the end, it’s all about how it makes people feel about themselves. Clean, beautiful, pampered, etc. All jobs have their ups and downs. I’m willing to do what it takes to get those words of affirmation: “My nails look great,” “I have hands again,” “That felt great!” Once my client asks what my name is, I know I’ve done my job.

The past two years, I’ve been working at the same location. There were great times, but not enough to say that I loved it. Clientele there are just so spoiled and stuck up. Sorry to say, but its true. Not everyone is like that…maybe about 90% of the time people are. I was so done with it. People in that area really looked down upon people like me, who provide services to make a living. I don’t like being looked down on. And I really hate it when people try to tell me how to do my job. So many times I had someone tell me how to do my job. I didn’t learn & continue learning to do nails for years to have someone tell me what to do. I do understand that you’ll get that everywhere in any job, but I had it done too many times. I am serious with what I do and care about.
Every time I went into work, I had to fake my smiles and laughs. I wasn’t happy there. I didn’t like the clientele and I didn’t really like who I was working for. Why did I stay so long? I kept thinking about the clients that I did like, and thought about the relationships I built with my co-workers. I did leave the location a few times, but everytime, it turned out to be a disaster. So I always ended up coming back to the same location. It was what I knew. Even though I hated working there, I was comfortable with it.

Can’t expect things to change if i don’t change anything. I had to step out of my comfort zone to get where I wanted.

The best thing that came out of working in that location I hated, was this girl that I met. She quickly became one of my best friends. I’ll call her Dee. Hehe. Dee is the type of person that will be frank with you. She never sugar-coats anything. She always knows what she wants and most of the time goes for it. When I first met her, she immediately showed how funny and sweet she was in a bluntly manner. Her biggest trait: she doesn’t take anyone’s shit. Hehe. I look up to her in that way because I tend to be too nice when it comes to being taken advantage of, or not being treated well at work. I blame myself, and take it. She really got it to my head that I needed to step up for myself.

A little more than a month ago, I found out that my previous employers was putting both of their shops on the market. I was worried. I had no back-up plan. I really didn’t think I needed one and I didn’t receive the notice until late. Anyway, Dee told me to call up a nail shop that she knew has a great rep to ask for a job. I didn’t really want to ask because the shop was too far. Dee decided to call anyway, wait for someone to answer, and shove the phone to my ear. Haha. I asked if they were hiring to get it over with.

I thank Dee for doing that for me because a few weeks later, that nail shop called me back asking if I was still interest in the job. At first I said no because it was too far from home. I thought about it and thought about it. During that time, I was working at Love Nails with new owners. I didn’t like how things were run, I was making barely enough money, and I was far from done on dealing with the clientele there. So I called Dee to vent. She told me something I needed to hear again. “Vanna, you need to make yourself happy first.” I always knew that, but barely applied that to my life, except when it came to shopping. =P

Finally, I found myself not wanting to go back to Love Nails. I called Jasmine Nails back to ask if I could still get the job. I sure got the job. I went over there to check the shop out that day. The shop is the cleanest shop I’ve ever been to. And the nicest. Just looking at the shop made me real excited to get started.

My new boss had a quick talk qirh me to go over rules and stuff. I wasn’t expecting any salary but she offered. I’ll be getting paid twice as much as I was before. =) Cha-ching. I can say bye-bye to debt and hello to a greater savings. =) Maybe a purse here and there. Haha.

Yesterday was my first day at work. I haven’t made that much on a Monday for a long time. =) I usually make that much in the summer. I didn’t even do that much work. Didn’t break a sweat. Prices are higher there. And the clientele…very nice, appreciative, and loyal. My bosses (husband and wife) are very professional and nice. The co-workers are nice and fair too. Everyone helps out around the shop.

Bottom line: I really like my job now. The long drive is worth it. =)

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