Freshman Elena “Elle” Price is offering University of Miami students a more affordable way to get a manicure on campus.
It’s easy to pay more than $80 for a simple french-tip gel-fill manicure in a city like Coral Gables. With limited time and money, students go to the very first salon recommended to them by their classmate or suitemate.
Price began doing nails on herself about three years ago.
“I was tired of paying for nails,” she said.
She found it was cheaper to figure it out herself through TikTok tutorials and Youtube videos rather than driving to a nail salon, waiting two to three hours and then having to return two weeks later.
While the idea began as a hobby, Price shared that it grew into a business when she realized she could be making a profit that would fund her tuition at UM.
“When I realized I wanted to come to UM and how expensive it was, I started my Instagram to show off my work and it went really well,” said Price.
Now, she is almost fully booked until mid-October.
“Space is definitely the biggest challenge, but I’ve managed to make that work,” Price said.
Price’s advice for up-and-coming entrepreneurs like herself is to not be scared. It may seem daunting or challenging at first, but the end result is always worth it.
“Its great to get to be my own boss, I get to set my own schedule and prices which is really nice” said Price.
Among the 11% of US students with their own business, Price has tapped into a very unique group of students who don’t just dream about their idea but actually go out and do it.
“If you’re passionate about it, go for it,” said Price.
Although she is fully booked at the moment, appointments can be made via her business Instagram account: nails_by_elle. The prices are also listed on her Instagram, starting at $40 for gel extensions and $25 for natural gel nails.