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- [00:00]
A
You know you got in a car accident, right. You couldn't do the day to day job as well. You could have quit, become unemployed. Right. Everyone could have fell apart.
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B
That kind of pulled me from behind the chair a little bit. So then I had to think of a way to pivot. And it's crazy because it came full circle. No, I'm not teaching elementary children, but I'm still teaching. So the gift still got to be displayed and used.
- [00:25]
A
Latonya so is a seasoned nail artist, educator and founder of Omni Nail Academy with 27 years experience shaping the nail industry. As the author of Dear Nail Techs, she inspires and mentors professionals worldwide, empowering them to elevate their craft and build lasting success.
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B
There's just so many times that I felt like this might not work, but I have to keep working at it and making it plain, like whatever my next step.
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A
If you're in the business of entrepreneurship, it's never going to be easy. If you want easy, go work in a job and be amongst the masses and hide as an employee. Right. When you're here, you're on the front line.
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B
Exactly. And I'll tell you what one of my mentors said to me a long time ago, years ago, and I didn't really know what it meant at the time, but she said that.
- [01:14]
A
It spans the globe like a super highest cold Internet Elvis. Today, Apple is going to reinvent the phone. It's not over until I win. The Living youg Legacy podcast. For those who live to leave a legacy that's extraordinary. The impossible has been. Oh, that is sensational. Jordan, Open Chicago with the lead. You said Paul is the fastest man on the planet. You can live your dream. Hello and welcome back to another episode of Legacy Maker. Sat here with Latonya today. She's a beauty entrepreneur and she actually helps a lot of other entrepreneurs bring their passion to life. Mentoring, educating people in the beauty and nail industry to get started and even build amazing businesses. So excited to dive in and it's all done as a nonprofit, which is even more awesome. Welcome to the show.
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B
Thank you for having me.
- [02:18]
A
My pleasure. So how did you get into this? What made you. One day, you know, say, I want to go beyond just, you know, doing it myself to now building a business and then helping lots of other people do it.
- [02:30]
B
I don't know, I think I just kind of stumbled into it a little bit, but I did have a car accident that kind of pulled me from behind the chair a little bit. So then I had to think of a Way to pivot. And I found myself in the education realm. So my grandfather advised me to go get my teacher license and he was my best friend. Like he's 98 years old when he passed. Yeah. So he, he's been a huge inspiration and support system for me throughout my nail journey.
- [03:02]
A
Yeah. Well, it's pretty incredible. Just, you know, I always say for people in this chair and legacy makers, pretty incredible how sometimes the biggest setback can be, you know, the set set up for something new. Right. Like, and, and I always just love so much highlighting that for entrepreneurs and especially people in legacy makers, that reoccurring theme of, you know, you got in a car accident, right. You couldn't do the day to day job as well, you could have quit, become unemployed. Right. Every could have fell apart, you know, but you had a decision to make, had to pivot and now it's like even better, right?
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B
Oh yeah.
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A
So, so talk about that journey a little.
- [03:42]
B
Yes. I love, I didn't think I would love it this much, but it's, there's something I get out of seeing people enter this field and become successful. So it's, it's just teaching classes here locally and abroad. Like I've not abroad, but, you know, throughout the US traveling with different companies, I've been able to land some pretty dope positions with dope companies. And I don't know if I'm supposed to say their names, but two of the industry's leading companies in our industry. So just for them to give me that stamp of validation and then to be able to get poured into and pour that back into students, it's just, it's a thrill.
- [04:28]
A
Yeah. Well, and you've gone from, you know, one on one to helping educate hundreds of people. Right. And I imagine you've also gone from earning, you know, $50 to do someone's nails to hundreds of dollars to travel and educate and teach big groups. So how's that entrepreneur journey been? And did you, you know, when you first started, you ever think you'd be here now doing all this?
- [04:49]
B
Never in a million years did I think that I would, those doors would open for me. I just. You, I, I just thought I would be behind the chair and that's, there's nothing wrong with that. People do they. I know like one of my mentors, she's still behind the chair and I think she's well into her 80s.
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A
Wow.
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B
Yeah. So they, Some people leave it you love, right? Yeah, I think, I think that's the definition of success is like doing what you love and being good at it.
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A
So. So. But how is it now looking back with that big transition to becoming, you know, one of the top educators now in the country versus when you just started.
- [05:27]
B
Oh, gosh, don't say that. That makes me sound really important. I just know that it was really miraculous. And I know it's not common. It was like uncommon favor and unmerited favor. I don't even feel like I deserve that. You know, I just put into work and. And evolved and elevated and what.
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A
What about your upbringing? Did you, you know, what was your plan when you became an adult? Did you think you'd be an entrepreneur?
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B
Maybe because I. I did grow up with entrepreneurs all around me. My sister was my legal guardian for most of my life, and my sister owned a salon. She did hair. And my stepdad, I would visit my mom and my stepdad, and he was a car dealer. My biological father was a car dealer. So, like, I was just around some entrepreneurs and strong people. So I didn't really know where I was going right out of school. I tried to become an elementary school teacher, and then I got pregnant early at 20, so I had to pivot. That was my first pivot. So in. And it's crazy because it came full circle. No, I'm not teaching elementary children, but I'm still teaching. So the gift still got to be displayed and used and what.
- [06:51]
A
And what's. You know. So that's a bit about where you started. What's next for you, though? What comes after all this? Where do you want to go and keep growing it, I imagine.
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B
Yeah, I do. I have big dreams and aspirations. I know I sound crazy to a lot of people when I say it like that.
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A
Not here.
- [07:08]
B
Yeah. Myself. But I hope to see Omni, like, land, and I hope to plant Omni Nail Academy in at least every state.
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A
Yeah.
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B
Is not multiple cities and within different states. But that's the goal. And. And just to package it in a way that it's so easy to run, to open, to start to just do it. So that's. I'm working on the packaging process right now with an attorney, you know, franchise attorney, to get it going and make it accessible.
- [07:43]
A
So you really see it to become. You know, because I think in hair, you have like, some of the big hair companies where they have salons everywhere. Right. And is that kind of your vision in the nail space is to recreate that?
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B
And I'll tell you what one of my mentors said to me a long time ago, years ago, and I didn't really know what it meant at the time, but she said that I see you as the black Paul Mitchell of nails. There you go. And so I didn't even know that that company was non profit as well. And so I did my research and I was like, oh gosh, we line like our. This is kind of the same thing.
- [08:17]
A
Got it. And then so now you're, you know, expanding nationwide and stepping into the franchise side. So someone will soon, within a year or so I imagine, be able to purchase a franchise, roll it out in a city.
- [08:30]
B
It's crazy because I have like three people really, really interested right now. And I'm like, I haven't proven my numbers yet. I just got back open, so I need to really be able to prove everything works. This formula really works. I was able to. In 2017, I was the first time I planted in my hometown and I knew that it was a test run and it's a small area, so I didn't expect to like just blow up really. But it, it served so much, you know, it was, it was a great first run, you know, and, and I gained a lot of experience from that. What to do, what not to do. And so, and, and I got to learn in a less expensive market because the small towns, everything's cheaper. You go to these bigger cities, which I am in now, a much larger city than my hometown, so same state. But you know, here, all these years later, I'm able to just still know that that formula works, that I had it previously, it still works. So just testing, it's like if you have a product, you, you know, all these scientists have to test it and you know, you, you have to make sure that it. So I think that's the purpose that it served initially. And now that I don't, I'm an empty nester. I have energy, I have time. And there's nothing but time and opportunity now to, to make it happen, really make it happen.
- [09:58]
A
What would you, you know, I just love this story of, you know, you're very modest, right? You, you got into nails, you had this accident, you're building this business, but now it's becoming a franchise. You also have these big goals and dreams to go nationwide, but you still, you know, you're very modest and you just love what you do and love helping people right at the core. And that's obviously a great common trend that a lot of legacy makers, people have, no matter how successful they get and rich, they, they love helping people, right? So, but what would you say to someone out there that's where you were seven years ago, eight years ago. They're opening, they may be wanting to get into it or they're opening their first, you know, salon, or they have a passion in beauty, art, crafts, whatever it might be.
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B
I don't know, the movie Nemo is coming to mind. Just keep swimming. So let's keep, just keep going and keep working at it. And don't give up. Don't let people talk you out of it because people will think you are nuts.
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A
Did people try and talk you out? Oh, yeah, let's talk about that. Give me some examples.
- [11:02]
B
Yeah, you get me in trouble. But yeah, like, because Nails has been dominated for such a long time by the Asian community, even within my own family, they were like, why don't you do what we do a lot where we do? I, I don't believe in that. That. I don't know what do you. It's not a stigma, but it's just like a thing that gave label. Yes. A stereotype. That's the word I was looking for. So, yeah, I don't believe in that stereotype. And now we're more and more well represented. Every race is well represented. If you go to the nail expos, we're all in there.
- [11:40]
A
Well, you know, we have another show that's focused on women in power doing great things. And we have so many owners sat in that chair from all walks of life. Right. All ethnic backgrounds and countries. And that's the beauty of the, you know, there's still a way to go. But the equality of the world today is probably the best it's ever been, at least. Right. Is you. You know I'm an immigrant.
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B
Right.
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A
England, moved here. You should be able to do whatever you want to do.
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B
And that's what I think. I wouldn't even consider that a badge of honor if I was raised of people that somebody said, this is what you do. I think that's kind of an insult.
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A
Yeah, yeah.
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B
You know, that's.
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A
Well, it's narrow minded.
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B
Yeah.
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A
Of how a lot of people are. It's like they, they just go through the motions. They do what their parents did and they stay, you know, and they're never always fulfilled. Most entrepreneurs are far more fulfilled than the average person because they took those risks. They broke the stigmatism, maybe and, and, and stereotype and then went and did what they wanted to do.
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B
Yes. I definitely feel like that's been a part of my purpose is breaking the stereotype, kicking down walls.
- [12:45]
A
Yes. And I want to come back to one of the things you said, I've heard a lot of people quote businesses, some business, movies. First time I've ever heard Nemo quote, keep swimming. Right. So. But I love that. Let's talk about that. Right. When have you had to keep swimming? What's been tough? Obviously the crash. Maybe people in your family aren't supporting you. Can you give some examples of how you kept swimming and when you had to?
- [13:09]
B
Of course. So each time you experience a blow or whatever, you know, I, I guess there's so many. There's just so many times that I felt like this might not work, but I don't know it. I think because I'm such a praying woman and I'm. I'm hearing these. I'm. I'm feeling like God is giving me the vision, and then I have to keep working at it and making it plain, like, what are my next steps?
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A
Yeah.
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B
And so sometimes that requires a reset. I love women empowerment and I love going to the nail shows, and that's how I keep my fire lit and keep coming back to a better place. Whoa.
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A
And I know, I love that. And I want to point out, and I always try and point this out whenever I get the opportunity to talk about it. I think when you're entrepreneur starting out and you maybe still feel this, like, it's always hard and there's always problems and there's always stuff that comes up. And I think people from the outside think that goes away when you become successful. But I actually argue the opposite. I think it becomes worse because, you know, the biggest businesses in the country, they're getting sued by the government for $200 million for data protection leagues, or they're getting a class action lawsuit for something they did wrong one time, or, you know, Congress are trying to shut down the company because of some things. So it's like, you got to imagine, like, even the billionaires, yeah, they have a lot of money.
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B
Yeah.
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A
But that's got a lot of stress. Like, if you've got, you know, 5,000 employees and one of the biggest companies in America and Congress are trying to shut you down, like that's. It doesn't matter how much money you got in the bank, that's not a fun experience.
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B
Right. I think sometimes we make it look easy, but it's definitely not easy. Even recreating and, and using the same formula, you have no idea how many setbacks came in the process. And it just threw me for a lo. The first school I open, I was able to get it open and off the ground within six months. The Second time a year. That about drove me nuts. Because you could not get the city to move fast enough with these permits and things, whether it was contractor city or whatever. I had so many setbacks. And you're paying money, so where's that money coming from? You know, I had to borrow money, you know, take out loans, grants, everything. You know, it was. Was not easy. None of this was easy.
- [15:43]
A
Yeah, yeah. You know, I have lots of companies and lots of staff and, you know, I have a HR legal manager. And every week there's like, oh, we got another alert about it. I'm like, what now? You know, what next? What next? And. Right, Yeah. I mean, eventually you have to just learn to roll with the punches. Right. And you have to understand if. If you're in the business of entrepreneurship, it's never gonna be easy. If you want easy, go work in a job and be amongst the masses and hide as an employee. Right. When you're here, you're on the.
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B
Exactly. And I think you have to have faith and know like, that you can't do it alone.
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A
I don't believe in the vision too.
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B
Yeah, right, right, right. I know that people will kind of sent along my path to help me. I call them destiny helpers. So like my landlord, for instance, they don't go by the word landlord anymore, like property managers, but this, they're the owners of this property and they drove. I mean, they flew down from New Jersey to North Carolina just to help me because everything was going so slow. Amateurized some things into my rent because I was running out of money paying in the rent, and I still got stuff to pay for, you know, and it's not rolling fast enough. So when I tell you the amount of money they put out there to help me, you know, make it feasible for me, it was crazy. Like, I couldn't believe that I was ready to throw in a towel because I said, okay, I can't drag this out any longer. It's taking way too long. And I wasn't expecting this. I'm expecting me to be able to do it in three months since I did it six months the first time. No, no, no, no. It didn't work like that.
- [17:19]
A
That is the benefit eventually of the franchise model. When you do get to that point, people are buying into that because you've gone through the pain. So they pay for the franchise model to. Sure, there'll always be a bit of pain. Like business is never a home run, but it's 80% less than the pay you went through, right?
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B
Oh, yeah, yeah.
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A
Good. So last couple of questions, let's. You know, we talked a bit about the business and the expansion and some of your challenges along the way, and that's so great to hear that, you know, for the viewers. But what about, you know, your episode? Right. Like, this is a bit more of an overview, but if someone's gonna go tune in now to the full episode, what are some other things they'll learn from that or get?
- [17:59]
B
Wow. I think there'll be a few good nuggets in there. It's some humor in that, for sure. I like to make fun of dark things and hard things, so the. The racial bias and the stigma that will be in there. But it's also like, we're talking about the blueprint, the model, and we are talking about some real stuff when you just got to take the mask off and, like, just be you, you know, through. Through life. And there's a. We have this personal stuff that we go through, and we're taking all of this with us, and we're trying to go to the top, but at some time, you know, you just got to release a little bit, and so I think that's. That's what you can look forward to.
- [18:45]
A
Love it. And last question. People are listening. They love the story. They want to learn more about you. Maybe they even want to follow you for when the franchise stuff's ready. Where do they find you?
- [18:54]
B
Well, I'm. My name is Everywhere Latonya, so that's what I go by on social media. And the school name is Omni Nail Academy.
- [19:04]
A
Love it. Latonya. Been a pleasure. Thank you so much. Guys, go check out the full episode, obviously, all the socials and everything like that. And as always, work hard, keep making an impact, and build a legacy. I will see you guys soon.