I always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Specifically, I want to become a nail technician. Becoming an entrepreneur has allowed me to use my natural creativity, determination, and leadership skills to start a career that I am passionate about. Despite my passion for entrepreneurship, it has not been an easy road to navigate through. In high school, I started my entrepreneurial journey as a nail tech, even though I didn’t know how to get started. As a 16 year old small business owner at the time, it was challenging to build clientele because people wouldn't take me seriously. People would underestimate me and I would take it to heart. As I saved up all my money from working my job, I began to order my nail supplies. Since I didn’t have anyone to help me get started, I used Youtube to learn techniques from nail technicians. At times it was difficult because there were so many trends to keep up with, but I was determined to keep practicing until I got comfortable and felt confident. I started posting my practice work on social media so people would start to notice me as an upcoming nail technician. Eventually, I took my first client. She was very supportive of me and let me freestyle on her nails. It was challenging doing an actual person's nails versus using a practice hand. It was also frustrating because I couldn’t stop in the middle of her nails or quit. I kept going even though they didn’t look the best. I was struggling with the acrylic and I didn’t know the liquid to powder ratio. Even though it took hours to finish her nails, it did not discourage me. I continued practice and I began to get better and was able to work faster. I started my own business page so I can begin networking and finding more clients. I started to share my business page on my other social media accounts and I also invested in business cards to gain clients. Getting a college education will not only provide me with the knowledge and resources to become a successful business nail tech, but it will give me the opportunity to create programs for underserved youth access to entrepreneurial and cosmetic skills while they are in high school. As a Black woman who struggled to get into entrepreneurship, I want to provide this opportunity to encourage and prepare the youth in my community for the future.

Janiya Walker 3/15/24 As a little girl, I always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Specifically, I want to become a nail technician. Becoming an entrepreneur has allowed me to use my natural creativity, determination, and leadership skills to start a career that I am passionate about. Despite my passion for entrepreneurship, it has not been an easy road to navigate through. I have now come to the conclusion that getting a college education will not only provide me with the knowledge and resources to become a successful business nail tech, but I'll create a program that gives underserved youth access to entrepreneurial and cosmetic skills while they are in high school. In high school, I started my entrepreneurial journey as a nail tech, even though I didn’t know how to get started. There aren’t programs for youth in Pittsburgh that teach entrepreneurship and nail tech skills. Therefore, I got most of my training from watching Youtube videos. Another challenge I faced was building clientele. People would often overlook or underestimate my ability just because I was young. This was very frustrating, and I used to take it to heart because I know how good I am. Instead of letting it get me down, I kept at it. Since I stuck with it, people started to notice how good I was, and business started to improve. In 11th grade, I talked to my school counselor about my future career goals. He inspired me not only to get licensed but also to get a degree in college. Therefore, I attended the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity HBCU college tour in 11th grade. This experience opened my eyes to a life outside of Pittsburgh and endless networking opportunities. Upon graduating, I am going to North Hills Beauty Academy to become a certified nail technician over the summer. I will be able to finish the program right before starting college at Norfolk to pursue a career in business management in the fall. Going to an HBCU is important to me because I want to experience more of my culture and be around others who are interested in the same things as me. This will allow me to build my clientele outside of Pittsburgh and expand my business into other cities. Also, I loved the camaraderie and sense of community of like mind scholars. Although going to a HBCU is my goal, it comes with financial challenges. Out of state tuition at HBCUs is very expensive. Even though I am eligible to receive the Pittsburgh Promise, I won’t be able to utilize these funds. Therefore, winning this scholarship is essential for my success. After getting my degree, I want to start a program for low-income youth interested in becoming entrepreneurs in nail tech. As a Black woman, this is important to me because I didn’t have people willing to help me get started. I want them to not give up on their dreams because of a lack of opportunity. I will be intentional about designing interventions that provide solutions to the barriers I struggled with. I want our youth to see successful minority-owned business shops in our community. Modeling this will show our youth anything is possible.

Janiya Walker 3/15/24 As a little girl, I always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Specifically, I want to become a nail technician. Becoming an entrepreneur has allowed me to use my natural creativity, determination, and leadership skills to start a career that I am passionate about. Despite my passion for entrepreneurship, it has not been an easy road to navigate through. I have now come to the conclusion that getting a college education will not only provide me with the knowledge and resources to become a successful business nail tech, but I'll create a program that gives underserved youth access to entrepreneurial and cosmetic skills while they are in high school. In high school, I started my entrepreneurial journey as a nail tech, even though I didn’t know how to get started. There aren’t programs for youth in Pittsburgh that teach entrepreneurship and nail tech skills. Therefore, I got most of my training from watching Youtube videos. Another challenge I faced was building clientele. People would often overlook or underestimate my ability just because I was young. This was very frustrating, and I used to take it to heart because I know how good I am. Instead of letting it get me down, I kept at it. Since I stuck with it, people started to notice how good I was, and business started to improve. In 11th grade, I talked to my school counselor about my future career goals. He inspired me not only to get licensed but also to get a degree in college. Therefore, I attended the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity HBCU college tour in 11th grade. This experience opened my eyes to a life outside of Pittsburgh and endless networking opportunities. Upon graduating, I am going to North Hills Beauty Academy to become a certified nail technician over the summer. I will be able to finish the program right before starting college at Norfolk to pursue a career in business management in the fall. Going to an HBCU is important to me because I want to experience more of my culture and be around others who are interested in the same things as me. This will allow me to build my clientele outside of Pittsburgh and expand my business into other cities. Also, I loved the camaraderie and sense of community of like mind scholars. Although going to a HBCU is my goal, it comes with financial challenges. Out of state tuition at HBCUs is very expensive. Even though I am eligible to receive the Pittsburgh Promise, I won’t be able to utilize these funds. Therefore, winning this scholarship is essential for my success. After getting my degree, I want to start a program for low-income youth interested in becoming entrepreneurs in nail tech. As a Black woman, this is important to me because I didn’t have people willing to help me get started. I want them to not give up on their dreams because of a lack of opportunity. I will be intentional about designing interventions that provide solutions to the barriers I struggled with. I want our youth to see successful minority-owned business shops in our community. Modeling this will show our youth anything is possible.

As a 17 year old small business owner it is challenging to build clientele because people hardly take you seriously or you get overlooked, sometimes people underestimate me until they begin to look at my work and realize how good I am. Also as a business owner it is good to meet new people who do the same thing as you and network your business. Being a nail technician my job can be different or challenging everyday. I learn something new and meet new people who are interested in my work. I started my nail journey August 2, 2021, I decided I wanted to do this as my career path because it’s not a repetitive career because there is always something new to learn and new connections to make. I eventually took my first client which was my friend. She was very supportive of me and let me freestyle on her nails. It was challenging doing an actual person's nails then using a practice hand. While doing her nails I was struggling with the acrylic and I didn’t know liquid to powder ratio which made it hard for me, while filing the nail it was tuff because the nail was thick and I had to file it down which took a lot of time and made the process much longer. My first nail set took 8 hours to complete. Even though it took hours to finish her nails, that time did not discourage me, it just showed me that I am only going to get faster and better. As I started practicing more and getting comfortable doing people’s nails I gradually got better and my work started to show for itself. I started my own business page so I can begin networking and finding more clients. I started to share my business page on my other social media accounts and I also invested in business cards and it began to grow and I began to gain clients. Starting my own business was a good investment for me because I’ve always thought about being my own boss and being successful. I’ve been doing nails for 2 years now and my business is successful. Being a nail tech that isn’t licensed, I've learned a lot through social media and youtube, I want to be an all around nail technician so I can have diversity. I plan on getting my license after I graduate highschool, I also want to go into college being a license nail technician; going to college in another state would be different and something new. This gives me the opportunity to build my clientele outside of Pittsburgh and expand my business into another city. I want to go to college for finance management and minor in marketing so I can have many options in the business industry. I would like to open up my own cosmetology or nail school one day to give other kids the chance to learn har, nails, makeup etc. I would also like it to make it affordable for kids who are less fortunate so they can have an opportunity as well. I would eventually let that company run by itself and branch off into something different so I can have multiple businesses under me and be a successful black woman and show other kids that it is possible and that you can make something out of nothing.