From simple French tips to intricate designs, USF students sport nail art. Some turn to traditional salons, but a growing number of students are turning to nail artists on campus whose small businesses cater primarily to students. Not defined by a singular style so much as an assortment of passion projects, the stories behind USF’s manicures and the artists who paint them are as vivid and varied as the colorful sets themselves.
On-campus nail artist Savvy Giang, a sophomore marketing and accounting double major, stated that getting into nails was a “happy accident.” After getting a manicure for the first time last year, he thought, “I can do this.” He bought his own supplies and did a few sets on himself, then a friend asked him to do her nails. From there, his new hobby quickly turned into a thriving business on campus. Giang’s Instagram, 5th Studios by Savvy, currently has over 400 followers.
Giang specializes in gel extension (Gel-X) manicures from his dorm room, priced at $50 to $80 apiece whereas salons cost upwards of $100. Competitive pricing is a core part of his appeal, and Giang noted that the demand for more budget-friendly nail services for his student customers helped him see a nail business as a viable opportunity for side income while honing his craft and making a luxury service more accessible to students.
Giang said, “I don’t think there’s a specific trend of nails here on campus because there’s such a diverse clientele, and I like that […] because I get to learn so much more. I don’t get too comfortable on one technique or one style […] the point for me is I want to keep learning and developing my skills, and I think USF [is] a really good place to do that.”
Giang noted that interpersonal connections motivate him in continuing to do nails, a sentiment which resonates with his clients.
“I met Savvy during my second year and he was a first year. During the growth of our friendship, he informed me of his passion of starting a nail business […] I simply treat it as a time to catch up and hangout with Savvy, and I am left feeling so happy and blessed to call him my friend and a skillful nail tech,” said Rachel Romero, a junior engineering major.
Natalie Pham, a senior biology and psychology double major, has run a small press-on nail business since last spring. She said that the business has been a creative challenge that has allowed her to reconnect with her past experience of working at a nail salon in high school.
“I started doing nails again because I realized I spend so much of my time doing schoolwork and just by myself. I realized that this was a passion that I had before that I really loved and I could feel in touch with the community in that way […] it’s a way for me to show my love towards people without feeling like I’m pressuring it. I’m giving you a gift that you asked for.”
The tagline for her business, Nammy’s Nails, is “ANY DESIGN YOU WANT.” Informed by her background in drawing and painting, Pham’s sets are almost exclusively intricate linework of everything from anime to Sanrio characters, of which she’s noted an increase in popularity recently.
“I honestly think that [Pham] is super talented […] I love supporting people I know and have [a] small business,” said former USF student Ysabel Bristol, who is currently commissioning a Junji Ito press-on set.
Jessica Lei, a sophomore marketing major, combines both gel manicures and press-ons for her business, Nails by Jessikwaa. Her journey into nails began in middle school when she bought her first long press-on nail set. “I loved how the nails looked on my hands and overall, how confident it made me feel. And I always saw nails as a special way to express your identity because each nail [acts] […] as a blank slate to showcase that creative and unique side to someone. So, from there I started creating my own nail sets.”
She shared, “My overall experience and from hearing other experiences is the backbone to why I started my nail business. Not only did I want to provide quality nail work for my clients at a much more affordable price, I wanted to also connect with my clients or those who come to me for nails on an emotional level. I want to be a safe outlet [and] space for people to come to where they know they won’t be judged for their nails or what they want to get done.”
Astrid Lozada, a junior psychology student, said, “Jessica made my first experience with gel extensions super exciting and understandable. My nails have lasted for weeks.”
Although each nail artist’s style and service is unique, unifying reasons for why more USF students are getting their nails done on campus include price, personability and preference for supporting a fellow student over a stranger.
Personal relationships are the heart of what keeps both nail artists and clients engaged. In Lei’s words, “The biggest payoff in starting this nail business for me are the beautiful smiles my clients would have after I finished their nails. And if they are happy with their nails then I’m happy as well.”
Editor-in-Chief: Jordan Premmer, Chief Copy Editor: Sophia McCrackin, Managing Editor: Jordan DelFiugo, Opinion Editor: Dakota Duran, Scene Editor: Elina Graham
