Justice Yerby shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Justice, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
The most recent moment I have had that has made me proud is competing in my first nail competition. I’ve always wanted to do one but was too scared and lacked the confidence but after 6 years I finally did one . I did not win but I had a great time. I was able to network with other nail techs/enthusiast and add something new under my belt. It gave me the confidence I needed to try again and potentially create my own nail show/competition. So be on the look out soon for a NailJustice competition.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Justice Yerby and I am a licensed nail technician in Burlington, NC. I originally started off in North Las Vegas, Nevada and then Durham, Nc and now I’m one of the hottest nail techs in my city. I have worked in four different nail salons over the time of my career. I have even managed one. Last time I spoke with you guys I was just getting my start in my own suite and now a year later it is successful and thriving.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My clients. I have to honestly say my clients have opened my eyes and boosted my confidence to see me for who I truly am. One thing people don’t know about me is I was not confident about my work until about 2 years ago. I knew I had skills because nails is not easy so you have to have some type of skill to have returning clients. But I used to always compare myself to other nail techs in the industry. I would look at successful nail techs and when they started vs how long it took them to get to that “successful” point and compare it to how long it was taking me and I had to stop that and realize everybody has their own timing and own path . And successful has a different meaning for everybody. I would look at other girls designs and look at my designs because I’m known as the freestyle queen and I would compare it and for a long time that gave me creators block. But my clientele never changed it only got better . They always hype me up and push me to do designs that is out of my comfort zone . They are like my walking billboards because they always show me off. So I’m very thankful for them.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
I miss nails before COVID. Everything changed after COVID. Nail supply prices went up, rent went up, and the cost of living rent up so nail techs had to go up on their prices. We get so much backlash for that. But we’re not being greedy we just trying to survive like everybody else.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely yes . I am and always will be authentically me. I don’t know if it’s the Leo in me but I love who I am and I feel like if people don’t like it then don’t be around me. I do know how to turn it down in different situations though. There is different sides to me so each situation gets a different side of me .
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
I couldn’t retire tomorrow even if I wanted to. I really love doing nails and the life it has given me. I’m going to be in my 80’s in the nursing home still doing my clients nails. They tell me this all the time. I joke and say I’m quitting nails and getting a job and they be like “ok I’ll be at your house for my next appointment.” And I love that for me. Life really came full circle for me. I started off on the other side of the nail desk as a customer admiring the art being done on my nails and now I’m on the other side of the nail desk creating the art and running a successful business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nailjustice.com
- Instagram: NailJustice_
- Facebook: Justice Yerby
- Other: Tik Tok: nailjustice
