From A Garage Salon To A Multi Award-Winning Business

If you had told 17-year-old me that one day I'd be running an award-winning salon with hundreds of loyal clients, I probably wouldn't have believed you.

Mais Nails didn't begin in a beautiful salon. It didn't begin with a business plan, investors, or a large social media following. It started in a small room in my parents' garage with a passion for nails and a determination to create something of my own.

The Beginning

At 17 years old, I was studying for my A-levels while working as a carer four to five evenings a week. In between studying, working, and everyday life, I began taking on nail clients from a converted room at home.

What started as a hobby quickly became something much bigger.

I fell in love with not only creating beautiful nails but also building relationships with clients. Every appointment was an opportunity to help someone feel confident, relaxed, and leave with a smile on their face.

Slowly but surely, my client list began to grow.

Taking the Leap

After finishing my A-levels, I made what felt like the biggest decision of my life.

Just two days after my final exam, I opened my very first salon.

It was a huge risk. I was only 18 years old, and like many young business owners, there were plenty of people who doubted whether it would work. But I believed in my vision and knew I wanted to create a space where clients could enjoy high-quality treatments in a welcoming and relaxing environment.

From the moment the doors opened, the support I received was incredible.

Growing Beyond Expectations

Over the following years, Mais Nails grew faster than I could ever have imagined.

My diary became busier, my client base expanded, and I found myself booked weeks, and eventually months, in advance.

The salon became more than just a place to have your nails done. It became a community. A place where clients could unwind, chat, laugh, vent, celebrate milestones, and enjoy a little time for themselves.

Many of the clients who supported me in those early garage days still sit in my chair today, and for that, I will always be grateful.

A New Chapter

As the business continued to grow, it became clear that I had outgrown my first salon space.

At 19 years old, I signed the lease for a much larger premises and took on the biggest project I'd ever faced.

With the help of my family, we completely transformed the space. Countless evenings, weekends, and long days were spent renovating, decorating, building furniture, painting walls, and bringing my vision to life.

It wasn't always easy, but seeing the finished salon made every challenge worthwhile.

Today, the salon reflects everything I wanted Mais Nails to be - modern, relaxing, professional, inclusive, and welcoming.

More Than Just Nails

As Mais Nails has grown, so have the opportunities that have come with it.

I've been fortunate enough to receive recognition through various industry awards and competitions, something I never imagined when I first picked up a nail file in that garage salon.

While the awards are something I'm incredibly proud of, they aren't what define the business.

The real achievement is the trust my clients place in me every day. It's the hundreds of appointments, the friendships built, the confidence restored, and the support I've received throughout this journey.

Looking Ahead

Today, Mais Nails serves hundreds of wonderful clients and continues to grow year after year.

Alongside the salon, I've also launched my training academy, helping aspiring nail technicians build their own careers and businesses with the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed.

But despite everything that has changed, one thing remains exactly the same.

The passion, care, and dedication that started in a garage at 17 years old are still at the heart of every appointment.

Thank You

None of this would have been possible without the support of my clients, family, friends, and everyone who has followed my journey.

Whether you've been with me since the garage days or you've only recently discovered Mais Nails, thank you for being part of the story.

This is only the beginning, and I can't wait to see where the next chapter takes us.

With love,

Maisie X

Founder of Mais Nails Ltd