Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian Cohen.
Jillian, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started getting my nails done when I was in high school. I loved everything about it but never considered it as a career. During my junior year in college, I received the opportunity to work as a receptionist in a nail salon for the woman who was my manicurist. I looked into taking the course and signed up the following summer, the year before I graduated college. I breezed through nail school, got licensed by the board of cosmetology, and spent my final year of college doing my friends nails in our apartment and coming home to work on the weekends. I worked for the same salon for 17 years, through 2 owners. When my children were young (now 19 and 20) I worked around their schedule and had the best of both worlds of being with them when needed. As they got older, I added to my schedule. I watched my friends around me struggle to get back in the workforce after raising their kids, but me- everyone always wanted their nails done! It was around that time that I knew I had made the right choice. Being a manicurist was never a job, it was something I loved to do. As the years went by, things changed a lot in the industry. I decided to go out on my own. I had the clientele for sure, many very loyal clients who had been with me for over 17 years at the time. I rented some space in a salon in Sherborn, a one man show, and then found out about the Medway Mills…when I moved to the mills, I figured I’d get an extra desk and pedicure chair….I found an amazing girl, Emily, right from nail school and trained her. Next up, Sarah came. Before you knew it I was busting out of my small space. The landlord offered another great space in the Mill. I wasn’t sure if I was ready but I knew I had to take it. I added another pedicure chair and another desk, and then another desk…the word was getting around on Facebook about us. Then the word got out it was a nice place to work. I tried to be a fair leader. I knew what to do and what not to do from years of watching my own bosses trials and tribulation. But I held out for quality nail technicians, ones who would represent everything I stood for in a quality service. And now, here we are, myself, 5 nail technicians and a beautiful spot at the Medway Mills where clients can relax, socialize, and most importantly get a one of a kind professional nail service.
Has it been a smooth road?
I’d like to say it’s been a smooth road, but what fun would that be? The 3 moves alone were enough for anyone! The hardest part was when I had things going on in my personal life and I had to balance that with the business. There is no down time for any of that when you are dealing with clients and appointments. There is no taking time off.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Chat Noir Nail Studio story. Tell us more about the business.
Chat Noir Nail Studio was the name I picked when I had to become a legal business. I never thought it would be printed on a big sign! It’s named after a French cabaret- Tournee de Chat Noir. My love of black cats was a more recent thing and almost a joke to my original clients who knew me as a cat hater! Chat was something I loved about getting your nails done, all the ladies talking together, and black is my favorite color. For a while I regretted the name but then I loved that it sounded upscale and made us stand apart from what consumers are most familiar with- walk in nail salons that are known for subpar service. Chat Noir Nail Studio offers all things nails and feet! From a basic manicure, to as in depth as nail reconstruction for people who have damaged their nails, we do it all- nail art, gel manicires, acrylic and gel full sets, pedicures and more! We are known for our extremely clean salon, impeccable work, and taking pride in everything we do. I’m most proud of the reputation we have in the area and that consumers do not have to tolerate the nonstandard nail salons that have taken over the industry.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The nail industry has made huge leaps and bounds since 2010 with the introduction of the gel manicure. Since then, it’s been changing constantly. It’s my job to keep up with it all and choose what I feel is the most effective services for our clients. You could literally go broke trying to carry every product line or products that are for sale. I see myself growing more in 5-10 years but I know the clients like the feel of the salon not being like an assembly line.
Contact Info:
- Address: 165 Main Street suite 113 Medway, MA 02053
- Website: Www.vagaro.com/chatnoirnailstudio
- Phone: 5088876185
- Email: chatnoirnails@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @chatnoirnails
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com/chatnoirnailstudio
Image Credit:
Acrylic nails with multi color tips- Emily Killion
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