Meet Channelle Colbert | Nail Technician & Underwriter

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

Hi Channelle, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
My process to become a Nail Tech has been a crazy ride because I didn’t choose nails at first. Since I was a kid I’ve always been creative. From making Barbie clothing, decorating rocks, to the way I dress or do my hair. Growing up I’d visit the nail salon frequently with my cousin. At that time I was too young to get mine done, but I was infatuated with all of the different possibilities. I’ll never forget these particular nails my cousin had on. They were so different and pretty. From that day I’ve been obsessed with nails. I’d go to plenty of places to get different color polishes. I would tell my Nail Tech all the time like I want my own nail polish line. She’d always tell me to go for it but I didn’t know where to start. Me having the support from family friends my old Nail Techs it was time for a change. Once I graduated from college I moved to San Antonio and started working for a funeral home. It wasn’t easy working in the funeral home and living in SA. While in SA I found a nail tech and she motivated me to go into nails as well. Every-time I went to get my nails I would pay attention to her working and asking questions. I started following a lot of nail techs on Instagram to learn different techniques. But I didn’t the nail career path serious then I just liked keep my nails done. In 2017 I moved from SA to Dallas. I got a job with an Insurance company doing Customer Service Rep, thinking OK it’s a good company I could work my way up into a different department. My first year in that position went fast. I did apply for different departments when I was able but those opportunities didn’t come to fruition. Now I’m in my second year and it’s starting to wear me down. All the different schedule changes, the pressure of metrics, the lack of communication and understanding was just crazy. So going into my third year I told myself if I’m able to get a better shift then I’ll enroll in Cosmetology School for the nail program. I got a better schedule with my place of employment didn’t work with any of the school’s schedules. Then Covid happened and I was able to work from home. Which I was so against because to me that type of work doesn’t belong in your personal space. The job would give me real bad anxiety. I didn’t want to bring that energy into my peaceful space. Eventually that didn’t last long because Sept 10 2019 I quit my job and enrolled in school. This is when I chose me, and to really choose the career I wanted. I started school in October. School had its ups and downs as well. I had three different Instructors during my 9 months of school. When we had the Winter storm my school closed for 3 weeks because pipes had busted which set me back. Also since my school did hybrid learning it caused a lot of confusion and I basically had to reteach myself after classes. I was working overnight at Kroger just to keep up with bills while in school. Kroger wasn’t cutting it anymore and I ended up getting another job that paid better. I completed 600 hours right before my birthday in June 2020. I told myself I’d take my state boards in October. Unfortunately that didn’t happen. I got laid off and was unemployed for 6 months. This was one of the darkest times of my LIFE. I’ve never been without a job and have to maintain a household etc. I started journaling and really talked to my friends and my partner to let them know what’s going on with me mentally. Which helped a lot. I had to realize that I needed to focus on what was in my control which was studying for my state boards. I put all of that pain and doubt into studying and passed my state boards in Feb 2022! A great victory for me and I felt relief and knew things were only going to get better. Of course with time they do. I started getting more Press-on orders and nail appointments. Which is a wonderful feeling because I get to do what I love that makes me happy and that transcend to my clients. All of the advice, the tears, stress was all worth it because I’m a Nail Tech. I get to set my own hours, dictate what I should be paid, and create. Just a lot of inner freedom and happiness. Being a nail tech you have so much creative freedom to create 10 tiny masterpieces. So many different things come into play with nails i.e. holidays, birthdays, change in seasons, anniversary and I get to create a tiny canvas to display what makes the client happy while getting to express myself and I love that. The glitters and colors are limitless and when it comes to nails anything can be art. I find that a lot of my designs come from fashion or anything that really catches my eye because the smallest things give ideas to play with. Whether I’m doing someone else’s nails or mine I’m free to create whatever with no limitations. That’s why I choose to be a Nail Technician because there’s no limitations on what I can create.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My nail career is just getting started. I’m a Licensed Nail Technician as of Feb 2022. I’ve been doing nails since 2019. I specialize in Acrylic, Gel-X and PressOns nails. I create luxury reusable PressOns. I see my nail career extending to fashion week and maybe a few celebrity clients, apparel and offering more nail products than PressOns. PressOns are a great back up and are coming back full force. If you missed your nail appointment, have a last minute event, in between appointments this is where PressOns save the day. They last for a long time when you properly apply and remove them. I still have sets from over a year ago. I also offer the option to have them made with acrylic to have them last even longer. I provide a kit and instructions on how to apply and remove the nails. You get a reusable bag and box to store the nails. It’s the nail salon experience without the salon. I got to where I am today by taking multiple leaps of faith and continuous self motivation, word of mouth and self promotion. A lot of my clients come from me using hashtags #dallasnails #chanailed #arlingtonnails etc. I also try to do one pop up shop a month to get my business out there also networking. Nothing about my nail journey has been easy. It’s definitely worth every tear and I’m grateful for my journey because I’m happy with what I’m doing. Some challenges I’ve faced of course my previous employment, school with pandemic going on, not feeling prepared enough for state board. I overcame all of those obstacles by pushing myself and fighting for what I wanted. I studied hard, set a test goal date and passed! I want to change peoples views on PressOns nails and get more people into taking care of their nails. Don’t be scared to wear them; they are literally a full set and anything can be done on a PressOns . Plus I feel nail care is self care.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was here we would sightsee downtown, Trinity groves for the downtown view , Deep Ellem for a night out. Bishop art district for food and cute shops. Definitely brunch Saint Ann. Happy hour one day at Happiest Hour downtown and taker road uptown area. Dinner we go to Woolworth or Catbird. She loves Hookah so cafe 214. I just recently visited the Living room hookah lounge which has a nice vibe so we would go there. She likes to try new food so I’d take her to Casa Del Vegano and Da Munchies which are my 2 favorite vegan restaurants. I love the farmer’s market so I’d try to go one weekend later in the day this way the Texas heat doesn’t get us. We do the Statler one day for happy hour and hit the pool to check out the downtown views. I’d take her to North Park Mall because she likes the finer things. This is how we would spend the week together.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
English Ruffin Kierra Woods

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=i25zhla79oai&utm_content=ilu9mbe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChaNailed/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCxhFsEV4m6oMbDH4fh1hAig

Other: Etsy to shop Presson https://etsy.me/3IGeXRH Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@_chanailed?_t=8VvTws4C6ve&_r=1