Meet Laveeta Childs | Licensed Nail Technician

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

Hi Laveeta, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always been a very imaginative person!!! I can visualize things on a blank canvas and for me my canvas is a nail. I love seeing what I visualize in my head come to life. I’ve tried the regular 9-5 thing sitting at a desk behind a computer but that’s not me. I felt restricted because I know creatively I’m capable of so much more. I knew I was destined for more when we had to do the model cell project in middle school. I was so extra that I used clear gelatin for the cytoplasm and the teacher gave me extra points for thinking outside of the box. It was set in stone then. It just took me a moment to actually hone in on what my niche was. I later learned that it was nails. I remember I would do my own French tips on my nails and toes and use a piece of tape for my guide and that took me through middle school. For my junior prom, I did my own nails and toes and after that it was a wrap no one could convince me otherwise that I wasn’t going to be a nail tech. I went to Walmart to buy some regular polish a kiss acrylic kit from CVS and ordered me some nail art brushes from eBay and went to work. I’ve been working at the nail thing ever since.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
For me to get where I am today wasn’t easy. At the time there were no dedicated beauty schools that were accredited and offered strictly a Nail Technician course in my area. So of course I had to look outside of my area and found an accredited school that fell in love with. The course was 6months so I had to drive and hr and a half to and from daily for 6months to complete my course. I also quit my 9-5 to be able to do that as it was impossible. The amount of gas that I burned through was CRAZY. It took me 7yrs to get to that point as I had previously started after high school in a Cosmetology course that I wasn’t satisfied with as my passion was nails. In the end it was all worth it as I hear I am years later a licensed nail tech, working for myself, with clientele that I built from the ground up. When you want something bad enough, you will make the sacrifice. As far as my work goes I just simply love everything nails. I can do anything but my speciality is doing curved nails. Most people are not a fan but love them. I like stepping outside of the box and trying different looks. When I was in school we had conversation on what direction we wanted to go in the industry and I’ve always wanted to do editorial “extra” type work. I love the super blinged out, brightly colored, long extravagant nails because it’s more of canvas to express yourself on. Don’t get me wrong though, I love a classic clean French Tip but I also value the beauty and creativity of going outside the box.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well for one, I’m a foodie and I LOVE trying different things so maybe we would hit the Indian Restaurant. I like the mom and pop restaurants, you can tell the food was cooked with love. As far as things to do, would have to travel a bit for that. Maybe go to a Sip-N-Paint if we wanted to have a chill vibe or Ziplining on a ropes course for something a little more competitive(I’m adventurous). Anything is on the table with me. A wine tasting at Chateau Elan would really be a vibe for the weekend.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Lanique Cleveland. She’s actually one of my clients and I admire her ambition. She started working out on the side when she moved away for a while and now she’s an instructor. She made a hobby into something profitable and teaches classes at different locations and more now. She’s definitely making moves and she’s dedicated to it. I’m proud of her.

Website: https://naileuphoria.as.me/

Facebook: Laveeta Childs

Other: TikTok: Veetac1