Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrisha Terry.
Hi Patrisha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey in the beauty industry started in 2015 when I enrolled at Marinello School of Beauty in California to pursue cosmetology. Just three days before I was scheduled to complete the program, the school unexpectedly closed. I was determined not to let that stop me, so I completed my remaining requirements at California School of Barbering and Cosmetology and graduated in 2016.
After graduating, I continued developing my skills and passion for the beauty industry. During the pandemic, I moved from California to North Carolina, and that transition pushed me to find new ways to use my creativity and cosmetology background. That’s when I began making press-on nails and eventually started Hella Cute Nails.
What started as a creative way to continue doing what I loved has grown into my own nail brand. Through Hella Cute Nails, I’ve been able to combine my experience in the beauty industry with entrepreneurship, creativity, and my love for creating unique nail designs. I’m continuing to grow the brand, improve my craft, and learn more about the business side of the beauty industry as I work toward turning Hella Cute Nails into something even bigger.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of my first major challenges happened before I even officially entered the beauty industry. Marinello School of Beauty closed when I was only three days away from finishing my cosmetology program. After putting so much time and work into school, that was extremely discouraging, but I was determined to finish what I started. I transferred, completed my remaining requirements, and graduated in 2016.
Another major challenge has been balancing entrepreneurship with being a mom. Building a business takes a lot of time, consistency, and sacrifice, and I’ve had to learn how to pursue my goals while making sure my children and their needs remain a priority.
Moving from California to North Carolina during the pandemic also meant starting over in a completely different state. I had to leave behind the clientele and connections I had built in California and establish myself with a new clientele in North Carolina. That transition played a big part in me focusing more on press-on nails because they gave me the opportunity to reach customers beyond just the people who could physically sit in my chair.
Along the way, I’ve had to learn how to market myself, attract and retain customers, price my work, stay consistent, manage the financial side of a business, and continue adapting when things don’t go according to plan.
There have definitely been ups and downs, but every challenge has taught me something. Being a mother, relocating, rebuilding my clientele, and growing Hella Cute Nails have made me more resourceful and determined. I’m still building and learning, but I’m proud that I’ve continued to find ways to keep my passion for the beauty industry moving forward.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Hella Cute Nails is my creative outlet and my way of bringing salon-quality, customized nails to women in a more convenient and accessible way. I specialize in custom press-on nails, with a focus on bold, creative, and detailed designs that allow my clients to express their personality without having to sit in a salon for hours.
With my background as a licensed cosmetologist and my experience working with nails, I understand both the creative and professional sides of the beauty industry. I’m especially known for my freestyle work. I love being given the freedom to take an idea, color palette, theme, or vibe and turn it into a set that’s unique to that person. I don’t want every customer to feel like they’re getting the same set—I want their nails to feel like them.
What I’m most proud of is that I’ve continued to build Hella Cute Nails through different seasons of my life. I’ve relocated across the country, rebuilt my clientele, balanced motherhood with entrepreneurship, and continued finding ways to grow and reinvent my business.
I think what sets me apart is the combination of my creativity, professional beauty background, and resilience. Hella Cute Nails isn’t just about selling press-ons. I want my customers to have the experience of getting a custom nail set made specifically for them, while still having the convenience of being able to apply, remove, and wear their nails on their own time.
I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but I’m even more excited about what Hella Cute Nails can become. My goal is to continue expanding the brand, reaching customers outside of my local area, and creating something that represents my creativity and my journey in the beauty industry.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is my family, creating a life that I’m proud of, and building something that my children can see me grow from the ground up. Being a mother is a huge part of who I am, and so much of my motivation comes from wanting to create stability, freedom, and opportunities for my family.
It’s also important to me that I don’t lose myself or my dreams in the process. Hella Cute Nails gives me the opportunity to be creative, express myself, and build something that belongs to me while still being present as a mother.
My journey hasn’t gone exactly as planned. I’ve had to finish beauty school after my original school unexpectedly closed, move across the country, rebuild my clientele, raise my children, and continue figuring out entrepreneurship along the way. Those experiences have made perseverance especially important to me.
I want my children to see that life can change your plans without changing your purpose. You can start over, reinvent yourself, learn something new, and keep working toward the life you want. If Hella Cute Nails grows into everything I envision for it, I want them to know they watched their mom build it one step at a time.
Pricing:
- Short Freestyle Press-On Sets — starting at $45
- Medium Freestyle Press-On Sets — starting at $55
- Long Freestyle Press-On Sets — starting at $65
- XL Freestyle Press-On Sets — starting at $75
- Custom designs & specialty nail art — pricing varies
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/hellacutenails
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellacutenails
- TikTok: www.TikTok.com/hellacutenails
