Meet Cahtlin Sharp | Press on nail artist, Nail Tech, & entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cahtlin Sharp and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cahtlin, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk has played a huge role in my life and career. Starting out I was never really a risk taker. Ever since I was little, if I didn’t know how the outcome of a particular situation would turn out, I wouldn’t go for it. “Playing it safe” was the easiest and safest thing for me to do. I didn’t like the potential risk of failure and humiliation. In spite of how I initially felt about taking risks, my journey into entrepreneurship has pushed me out of my comfort zone. Stepping into being a business owner, I couldn’t afford not to take risks. If you would have asked me In high school, I knew I wanted to be an engineer or an architect. I spent my college years studying architecture until I realized mid semester, I didn’t want to spend my life doing that. I couldn’t fathom the thought of spending my life doing something that I wasn’t happy doing. Me dropping out of the major I had once dreamt of studying and letting go of the idea of me being an architect was terrifying. Doing all this in the midst of attending college, and not knowing what I wanted to do next was an even bigger risk for me, but it was worth it. Fast forwarding a little I finally decided I wanted to do nails and sell press-ons, the complete opposite of architecture. Deciding to become a business owner when I’ve never seen what it looks like to build a business from the ground up was scary to me. Putting my money and time into a business I wasn’t sure would be successful, and putting my work on display was a huge leap of faith. These leaps of faith were the stepping stones of me opening up my business, and I don’t regret them. I believe I wouldn’t have been able to grow unless I took some sort of risks. Risks can be scary, but does the fear of going into unknown territory outweigh the fear of you staying stagnant? Or being stuck and unhappy where you’re at? I do believe that being wise about when to take certain risks and knowing when the risk outweighs the reward is important. However, in order to be successful in life and within business, I believe you’re going to have to be able to take some risks and step into unknown territory.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Clawed By Cat specializes in custom press-on nails! When I was younger I couldn’t afford to always go to the nail salon and get my nails done. Our mission is to provide reusable, luxury, salon-quality nails to those who don’t always have the time or money to go to the salon. We provide a broad range of styles, shapes, and lengths so people of all ages can enjoy our press-ons. I’d say what sets me apart from others is the care I take with each order and customer. I want my customers to feel like they’ve just opened their favorite Christmas gift. Each Order comes with everything you need to apply them, a personalized scripture, and a free gift inside. I keep track of my customers nail sizes so they won’t have to continuously buy sizing kits! I want my customers to know that if they have any questions about how to take care of their reusable press-ons, to get optimal use out of them, they can feel free to reach out. If they need assistance on how to apply them, etc. I’m always here to help!

I’m most excited about where my business is going and how it will expand and reach others! Never would I have thought my business would be where it is today. I wouldn’t have thought that my business would impact and inspire so many people. I can’t wait to see what God has planned and what the future has in Store for Clawed By Cat. I plan to help many non profits and reach and help those in need. I plan to offer new things from Gel-x services and nail supplies, to other alternatives for press ons.

I wouldn’t say it’s been easy getting to where I’m at business wise. There have definitely been some challenges. There were times I’ve wanted to give up and times I would compare my work to others. Being a first-generation business owner, I had no one to tell me where to start and what owning a business consisted of. I didn’t know how I would afford the supplies I needed to start up my business at times. I thank God for what He has done for me and my business. Along the way I’ve learned to stop comparing myself to other business owners. Doing that only causes me to be less confident and keeps my work from standing out. Getting out of my head and learning that sometimes I will fail and that’s okay, as long as I get back up, has helped me in a lot of tough decisions. I’ve gotten over a lot of obstacles by praying and asking God to send me help and to provide the resources I needed, and He did just that. With the help of my family and friends, I was able to get everything I needed and more to start Clawed By Cat. They helped spread the word and gifted me some of my first nail supplies.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ooo this is a tough one! I find simple things really fun to do, like hanging out and going on picnics at parks, maybe klyde Warren Park. I’d say we’d definitely find something to eat in Arlington. My appetite tends to shift so it’s hard to name one place. Arlington has a great broad range of restaurants to try from Mediterranean foods to some great Italian dishes. As far as activities we’d definitely have to visit a drive-in movie at Galaxy Drive-in Movie Theater, in Ennis. Later that week we’d definitely visit Epic Waters located in Grand Prairie, Strike and reel which is located in Garland, and Andretti which is located in The Colony. All of those places have plenty of food and fun activities to enjoy

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give thanks to my family and my community/friends for being so supportive. I remember being a little girl with this huge collection of nail polishes that my mom bought me. When I was Around 10 years old, we’d sit at the table and she’d help me paint my nails and come up with designs just about every week. Those days really helped cultivate my passion for nails. Fast forwarding to college, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. My close friend Lana, who at the time was my roommate, sat with me and helped me brainstorm some business ideas. On the nights I was stressed out or had creative blocks, Lana would be there to help however she could. Later My family bought some of my first nail supplies for my business. Even now, whenever my Mom, friends, or even my Pastor/mentor finds new nail designs, ideas for my business, or valuable information they don’t hesitate to share that with me. Even when I receive orders from them, or from the people they’ve talked to about my nail business that encourages me. I truly appreciate their efforts and prayers when I needed them the most.

Website: www.clawedbycat.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clawed.bycat/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/clawedbycat

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088546530601

Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/xocahtlinn

Other: Email: clawed.byycat@gmail.com

Image Credits
Cahtlin Sharp