Angel Russell is a native of north Dayton, but has lived in the West Carrollton/Miamisburg area since her teens. In her sophomore year of high school she enrolled in the Miami Valley Career Technology Center, and decided to enter its Cosmetology program to become a Hair Stylist. But because that program was full, she entered the Fashion and Interior Merchandising program. During that time Angel worked in retail jobs selling clothing. In her senior year she did a report on a nail shop, not realizing how prophetic that report would be in her life. After graduation, Angel got married, had a daughter, and decided then she would prefer being a Manicurist rather than a Hair Stylist. In 1995 Angel attended Creative Images College of Beauty and acquired her Managing Manicurist license. For the next 13 years, Angel worked her trade in six different beauty shops.
While she was very successful, and built up a large client following, she was not satisfied with the beauty profession. Angel is a very devout Christian, and in late 2007 her employer asked her to not talk to customers about her faith. She decided that this was a clear sign that she should open her own nail shop. Just before Christmas in 2007 she left the establishment she worked for and began to pursue her own business.
In order to maintain her large customer base, she contacted her clients, informed them of her decision, and asked that they follow her on this journey. Angel then began the process of developing her own shop. A good client recommended that she contact SCORE, which she did and was put in touch with a long time and very skilled counselor, Alan Sipe. Angel and Alan met in early January, 2008, and she was comfortable immediately with Alan as a mentor. Over the next two months, Alan helped her develop a business plan, form a Limited Liability Company, set up a recordkeeping system, and was available for her many questions.
A friend told her of a small space for lease on Main Street in downtown Miamisburg which might be a good location for a nail shop. She checked the space out, found it to be perfect, and negotiated a lease. Her husband did the work to build out the space to accommodate her business, and Angel used her shopping skills to furnish the space at minimal cost. The result is a very attractive and serviceable shop.
In March of 2008, Angel opened the doors of Angel’s Heavenly Nails. The business was profitable from the outset. Because of her strong following, she hasn’t had the need for much marketing; word of mouth has been sufficient. The weak economy has not seemed to hurt the business. Angel isn’t interested in growing the nail business to the point where she needs additional technicians, but she does have a vision of adding a boutique to the shop in a few years and hiring her daughter.
Angel has great respect for Alan: “Without Alan I probably would not have started the business. His encouragement gave me the confidence to proceed. He is very professional and gave me excellent advice. He is my mentor and my friend, and his wife has become my friend and customer.”
|
|
