SIXTEEN-year-old Paige Young used to be shy and bullied at school, but today she runs two businesses from home, and confidently speaks across the table she uses to do her clients’ nails.
“I am so pleased with all I have been able to achieve,” she smiled, “I have always loved having my nails done, and now I am able to bring the same joy to my clients,” she said.
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Education
Dropping out of school early, Young who would have been in Grade 10 this year said she is determined not to allow the past to hamper her future.
“I am doing my GED (General Education Development) through distance learning and I originally started this business to raise funds to buy myself a new laptop for my studies,” she explained.
The GED (General Education Development) is internationally recognised as a high school leavers equivalent or Grade 12 equivalent in South Africa according to SA Homeschoolers, an organisation which supports South African parents and children who chose to be home schooled.
Building the business
For now, she has set herself up in her mother’s entrance hall with a specially branded table cloth, and wearing a top with the words “Nails by Paige”. She also started her own social media accounts for her brand.
“I am still building a client list,” she said with a wry smile.
“At the moment my business is very small with few clients, but I feel optimistic about the future,” she said.
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“I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing, so I set up this business and I also sell nutritional supplements,” she explained.
“I was helped by family to get the training I needed to set this up. My cousin also does nails, and my mother introduced me to her nail technician who become my teacher, Broche Martignone.”
Martignone took the teen under her wing and taught her everything about beautiful nails and shared advice about running a business.
“I was so fortunate for her to help me,” said Young. “I believe that from her training I have a good foundation on which to build my business and develop as an artist.
“Young said she is inspired by pictures of nail art on social media and will practice it until she gets the technique right.
“Once I nail it I show it to clients on my social media platforms.”
She rarely finds her age being an obstacle although some people are surprised to see a 16-year-old working as a nail technician.
“The way I see it, by the time I am the same age as many other nail technicians, I will have the added advantage of more than a decade of experience in this business.”
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As far as the future goes Young said she hopes to eventually offer other beauty services.
“I am thinking of doing a waxing course next, and maybe an eyelash course. I like the idea of being able to do many things for one client, which will allow me to offer a one-stop-service eventually.”
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
