Between class periods, after sports practice and on weekends, two Rocklin High School students have found success doing nails for friends, classmates and clients. Though their paths into nail work are different, their stories reflect a growing trend among teens in a low-cost, high-reward business.

For junior Sofia Truong, nail art is a family affair. “I was looking for a job but couldn’t find anything,” Truong said. “Since my mom already owns a salon, I asked if I could work for her. She started teaching me how to do nails, and that’s how I got started.” That was just four months ago. Now, Truong works on weekends and occasional weekdays when she has bookings. Over the summer, she worked nearly every day to sharpen her skills. At first, she offered free sets to friends and asked them to help spread the word. Then her mom started reposting her work on her salon’s Instagram page, which already had a strong client base. “That’s when I started getting real clients,” Truong said.

Now, Truong has her own Instagram where she shares photos of her designs, often 3D, chrome or custom looks that aren’t just trending but unique. “I like designs that stand out,” she said. “Something that not everyone is doing.” Her pricing reflects her skill, a plain color full set starts at $65, with complex designs adding $15 to $30 depending on the technique. The biggest lesson Truong has learned is patience. “You deal with all kinds of clients,” she said. “Some are super picky. Some want things done a certain way. You have to be patient and take your time, both with customers and your own progress. You’re not going to be amazing overnight.”

Another junior, Avigail Wiedeman, who started doing nails in December, came into it from the opposite direction. “I just didn’t like paying $60 to $80 for nails every month,” Wiedeman said. “So for Christmas, I asked my dad to get me a beginner nail kit, and I just got really into it.” Wiedeman is completely self-taught, learning from YouTube and TikTok tutorials. “I watched a couple videos, but mostly I practiced on my own,” she said. “Now, I just kind of make it up as I go.” Unlike Truong, Wiedeman keeps her business small, mostly doing nails for friends and classmates through word of mouth. “I don’t charge more than $20,” she said.

You don’t get good overnight, but if you stick with it it starts to come together            – Sofia Truong

Wiedeman prefers doing elaborate, creative designs over simple styles. “I mess up plain nails all the time,” she said. “But I love designing flowers, chrome, even some 3D stuff.” She works around her school and sports schedule, often doing nails on weekends or during free time. Though she doesn’t promote herself heavily, she occasionally posts photos of her work on her story. Her price range is modest $15 for a French tip and up to $20 for more detailed sets. Both students credit TikTok as a major source of inspiration. “I’ll see a cool video, and I’ll try it on myself first,” Wiedeman said.

Truong said clients also often bring in inspiration pictures. “If it’s something new, I’ll look it up and teach myself, or my mom helps me,” she said. Although they’re still in high school, both students see their nail work as more than a hobby. “It’s a really good skill to have,” Truong said. “Especially for college, you can make money doing something you’re good at.”

Her advice to other teens starting a business: “Be patient, trust yourself and don’t give up. It’s hard at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be OK.”