Meet Shava’ Ellis | Beauty Entrepreneur

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

Hi Shava’, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting my business wasn’t your typical “I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur” moment. I was actually watching Black Ink Chicago when I saw Rachel James, a Black woman with her own nail polish line, and I was immediately inspired. At the time, back in 2017, seeing someone who looked like me succeeding in that space felt rare—and powerful. It made me realize that not only is there room for us in the nail industry, but we can also own the table, not just sit at it. That moment gave me the push I needed to start my own journey and create something I could be proud of. It wasn’t about just selling polish—it was about representation, ownership, and turning inspiration into action.

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.
What sets me apart in the nail industry is that my story doesn’t follow the typical script and honestly, that’s what makes it special. This all started with just a thought and a vision, and to be real, I had no clue where to begin. I had little to no knowledge about launching a nail polish line, but what I did have was determination and a whole lot of passion. I was excited about becoming an entrepreneur and creating products that nail techs could actually rely on. I’ve gotten to where I am by keeping a strong mindset, staying motivated, and refusing to let the word “no” mean the end of the road. This journey hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park especially when I decided to make regular polish by hand (yes, just me, mixing away like a one woman factory).

Once the industry shifted toward gel, I realized I had to adapt fast or get left behind and that came with its own set of growing pains. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: if you truly believe in what you’re building, you can’t let setbacks stop you. Starting over doesn’t mean you failed; it just means you’re learning and leveling up. I started in 2018, and through all the trial and error, I’ve never stopped believing in my brand. And now? I’m bringing even more high-quality products to the nail industry because growth doesn’t stop here.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit for a week, I’d make sure they had the full experience good food, good vibes, and unforgettable memories. Since I’m a foodie, we’d be restaurant hopping all week across Atlanta. We’d start the trip with a gym session my best friend loves working out then head to brunch to kick off the day. Just to name a few, we’d hit up Crescent City Kitchen, ROC South, and of course, Copeland’s.

We’d spend the afternoon shopping and catching up, then do something fun like bowling. For dinner, we’d check out spots like Paschal’s or Southern Fire Kitchen. At night, we’d unwind at a rooftop or lounge with great music, cocktails, and good company.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I truly want to give all the credit and recognition to God. He gave me the vision, the drive, and the clarity to begin this journey and guided me every step of the way. In moments when I felt like giving up, His strength carried me through. Through every setback and relaunch, He reminded me that timing and resilience matter. His presence kept my mind focused and my heart grounded, even when things didn’t go as planned. I’m beyond grateful, because without His guidance, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Website: Under Construction! Coming Soon

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellsvah___