Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Bonner.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I had first started doing my own nails when I was 14 years old. I just always love doing my own nail and having them look nice, long, and beautiful. When I started, they weren’t the most nice looking nails but my mom always said to be to keep doing them. She would also say they look nice, even though I know they did not. So, for the rest of my high school years, I always did my nails; I would do square acrylic nails with nail art and sometimes, it would be holiday nail art or just something simple. I would never have plain nails it was not me. Senior of high school, the summer before I started, my cousin told me that I can go to nail school and it was cheap then. I thought she was joking, but she wasn’t I called Jupiter Beauty School and they said I can attend. So, every day after school, I would go to Dunkin Donuts in Dorchester to do my homework and then go to nail school. I did that for about a month and a half. Once I got my license to be a nail technician, I wasted no time it was hard finding a salon because you don’t see many black women doing nails. But I found one and that when I even grew more as a nail tech. I learned from the other nail tech there and watch videos all the time to make my work better. If I could not do something on a client’s nails I would do it on myself just so others can see.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Becoming a nail tech (black nail tech) was not easy for me at all. But having my mom and people who believed that I can be an awesome nail tech it what kept me going. When I first was looking for a job in a nail salon it was hard because the first question over the phone was “Are you Vietnamese?”; when I told them I wasn’t; the instant answer back was no we have no openings. I will say to other nails techs that are not Asian or even are is to look for somewhere that is comfortable and not judgemental, because even clients will judge you if you to say she doesn’t know what she doing and this and she sucks without even giving the nail technician a chance.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Pinkandpretty – what should we know?
So, most of my clients get acrylic nails. I focus on making sure my work is clean and neat. I also focus on the cuticles, making sure there none on the nails and it is clean. Also, the shape of the nails is very important to me, as far as it looking perfect. Since I have pink hair that what sets me apart from others because everyone knows me for the pink hair and my sweet, funny personality.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
The women that had inspired me in my life is my mom, Ms. Park (Instagram: ninanailedit), Karen Pham, Poochie Nailz, and many more. My mom is first because she stood beside me the whole ride, telling me to not give up even if my work was bad, she would always tell me the honest truth. The second two ladies have awesome nail art and they had actually taught be some of the techniques I have now.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Pinkandpretty__
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
