Meet Kaila Wilson: Business Owner & Nail Artist

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

Hi Kaila, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Over the past 3 years, my work/life balance has definitely changed. When my career first started I’d work 6 days a week, 12 hours a day. I rarely made time for my family, my friends, or myself. Over time, my mental health started to decline; I wasn’t as inspired as I previously was and I was unhappy. That’s when I knew I needed to make a change. After opening my salon, I scaled down my hours in order to take better care of myself. I think having a good work/life balance, especially when you own a business, is very important. Without it, one can become burnt out and unmotivated.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think the simplicity of my nail art sets me apart. I like to do clean, sleek, and simple sets during a time when highly decorated nails reign supreme. I’m proud of how far I’ve come in such a short amount of time. I thought it would be years before I had a salon of my own. Getting here wasn’t easy. When I started doing nails 6 years ago, there weren’t a lot of opportunities for black women. I had to work twice as hard to get my foot in the door in this industry. Fortunately I was able to find a salon home and mentor that helped me immensely. Throughout my career, I learned to never give up. There were many times where I thought my career was over, but I stayed on the path; I remained persistent. No matter how difficult the journey is, it’ll be worth it in the long run. With my brand, I want to show people that it’s okay to be different; it’s okay to be yourself.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting, we’d definitely go to the Trap Museum, the Georgia Aquarium, the Botanical Gardens, and the High Museum of Art. As far as food we’d go to Silverlake Ramen, Slutty Vegan, The Vortex, and The Varsity would definitely be on the list to visit.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate this shout out to Kristen Smith. Meeting her two and a half years ago changed my life. Under her management,I found my voice; I found out who I was as a person. She pushed me to be the best version of myself. She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I am forever grateful to her.

Website: https://www.artpopbeautybar.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nails_by_kaila/?hl=en

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

Other: Salon Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/artpopbeautybar Salon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artpopbeautybar/