So… I Started a Blog 💜 Welcome to the Chaos
If you would’ve told me a couple years ago that I’d be sitting here writing the first blog post for Freckled Opal Nailz, on my own website, while running a business, making press-on nails, creating content, working with nail brands, and somehow trying to keep up with regular life at the same time…
I probably would’ve laughed at you. 😂
But here we are.
Hi, I’m Stephanie. 💜
I’m the nail tech, artist, content creator, professional overthinker, package packer, website updater, photographer, social media manager, customer service department, and everything else behind Freckled Opal Nailz.
And lately?
A LOT has been happening.
Starting Over Changed Everything
I didn’t grow up knowing I was going to be a nail tech.
Actually, I spent about 15 years working in pediatrics before I finally decided to completely change directions and go after something creative.
Starting over in your 30s is weird.
It’s exciting and terrifying at the exact same time.
There are days when I feel like, Holy crap… I’m actually doing this.
And there are other days when I’m wondering if I have absolutely lost my mind. 😆But becoming a nail tech gave me something I didn’t even realize I was missing.
I get to create.
I get to meet women I probably never would’ve met otherwise.
I get to give someone a little piece of their day where they can sit down, talk, laugh, vent, or literally just exist for a minute.
And I get to build something that actually feels like me.
Colorful. A little weird. A little nostalgic. And absolutely no boring nailz.
Freckled Opal Has Become So Much Bigger Than I Expected
When I started Freckled Opal, I thought I was building a nail business.
Now I’m realizing I’m building an entire little world.
There’s the salon.
There are custom press-on nailz.
There’s my website.
There are products.
There’s content creation.
There are collaborations.
There’s Opal, my little alien girlie who somehow developed an entire personality of her own. 😂👽
And lately, some opportunities have come along that I genuinely dreamed about when I first started.
I’ve been building relationships with professional nail brands, creating product content, reviewing products, learning constantly, and putting myself into rooms that used to intimidate the absolute hell out of me.
I’m currently working with brands and programs including The GelBottle and Madam Glam, and I’ve also stepped into the Beauty Boost Louisville community.
That still feels crazy to type.
Because I remember being the brand-new nail tech watching other creators receive packages and work with companies thinking…
Maybe someday.
Apparently “someday” sneaks up on you.
But I Want More Than Free Nail Products
This part is really important to me.
I’m not trying to collect PR packages.
I want relationships.
I want to learn from the companies making the products we use every day.
I want to educate other nail techs.
I want to create tutorials that actually help somebody.
I want to attend classes, conventions and trade shows.
I want to eventually stand at a booth demonstrating products and talking nails with other professionals.
I want people to know Freckled Opal because I worked my ass off, treated people well, stayed curious, and actually contributed something to this industry.
The free bottle of gel is cool. But getting a seat at the table someday? That’s the goal.
And Then There Are the Press-On Nailz 💅
This has been another adventure entirely.
I started creating custom press-ons because I wanted people who couldn’t sit in my salon chair to still be able to wear my art.
And somehow that idea has started growing too.
I’m creating custom sets, ready-to-ship sets, creator collaborations, PR packages, and slowly figuring out what I want this side of Freckled Opal to become.
Every set is handmade by me.
Which means there is usually a point somewhere around nail number seven where I question every artistic decision I have ever made. 😂
Then I finish the set and immediately become obsessed with it.
Basically the creative process.
The Internet Has Been Wild Too
Creating content has pushed me WAY outside my comfort zone.
Talking to a camera? Absolutely horrifying at first.
Posting something I worked hard on and wondering if anyone will care? Still horrifying sometimes.
Watching something randomly take off that I almost didn’t post? Also weird.
But social media has introduced me to nail techs, creators, brands, clients, and women I genuinely never would’ve known otherwise. And somewhere along the way, this stopped feeling like I was just “posting nail pictures.”
I’m building a community.
A weird little colorful corner of the internet for nail girlies, creative people, small-business owners, moms starting over, and anybody else who has ever wondered if they waited too long to become the person they wanted to be.
The Truth Is… I’m Excited and Overwhelmed
Both can exist. I’m incredibly grateful for what is happening right now.
And I’m tired sometimes.
I’m excited.
I’m nervous.
I’m proud.
I’m constantly thinking about what I need to do next.
There are nights when my brain has approximately 97 tabs open:
Did I post that Reel?
Did I answer that email?
Did I order more nail tips?
Did I finish that press-on set?
Did I update the website?
Did I respond to that brand?
Did I remember to eat?
😂
Running a small business is glamorous like that. But even during the chaotic moments, I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Not because everything is perfect. It absolutely is not.
But because this feels like something worth working for.
I Think That’s What I Want This Blog to Be
I don’t want this to turn into another perfectly polished corner of the internet where everything looks easy.
Because it isn’t.
I want to talk about nails.
Products I actually use.
Things I’m learning as a nail tech.
Press-ons.
Running a small business.
Brand collaborations.
Content creation.
The wins.
The embarrassing moments.
The things that completely flop.
And what it actually looks like to build something from scratch when you don’t have everything figured out.
Because I definitely don't. I’m figuring it out while I go.
If You’re Starting Over Too…
Maybe you’re 20.
Maybe you’re 36.
Maybe you’re 50.
Maybe the thing you want to do has absolutely nothing to do with nails.
Do it anyway.
Being new at something is uncomfortable.
Putting yourself out there is uncomfortable.
Sending the email is uncomfortable.
Walking into the room where you don’t know anyone is uncomfortable.
Letting people watch you try is REALLY uncomfortable.
But I would rather be uncomfortable building a life that feels like mine than stay comfortable wondering what would've happened if I tried.
So this is officially Blog Post #1.
No idea exactly where this little blog is going yet. Which honestly feels pretty fitting for Freckled Opal.
We’ll figure it out together. 💜
Thanks for being here while I build this crazy little dream.
Whether you’re a client sitting across from me at the nail table, someone wearing one of my press-on sets, another nail tech following along, a brand that took a chance on me, or somebody who just likes watching the chaos online…
you’re part of the story now. And I think we’re just getting started. ✨
— Stephanie
Your nail bestie 💜👽💅