Meet Tonia Carlsen | Nail technician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tonia Carlsen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tonia, why did you pursue a creative career?
I became a nail tech because I honestly love people. I am very social and I knew that becoming a nail tech would help me to keep social aspect but not only that but also helping people feel good about themselves is very rewarding . My clients come to me and trust me and that honestly helps me stay artistic and creative. My job is never boring. Different designs on each client. Different perspectives. The color combos we come up with, it’s all very rewarding.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am a nail technical and have been in this business for 14 years. I started out at the age of 19 going to nail school. Got 600 hours done in 5 month of school and was thrown out in the world to go do nails. Haha and when I say thrown out it literally kind of felt that way. I was not ready to work on any body honestly. It was quite the journey. I started in a salon at age 20, I worked there for 2 years! Working with 29 other women was a lot. A lot of completion, a lot of drama, and a lot of really trying to figure out where I belonged. It was fun, don’t get wrong, but had its challenges none the less. I started taking walking ins immediately. I would get complaint complaint complaint. My work was not good! I walked into the salon owners office one day and I said, I think I need to quit, nails isn’t for me. I was about to give up on myself. The salon owner looked at me and said, no way are you quitting missy. She then sat with me for a week straight every day after the salon was closed and she trained me to do nails better then I could have ever imagined. She was so patient with me! She taught me to get out my comfort zone and she taught me that nothing comes easy but hard work does pay off. So I stayed and took clients for 2 years in total like I said above. I love this journey because it has brought me to where I am today. Working from home in my basement with a salon that I designed and put together with the help of my husband also. And I have two beautiful kids and I get to pick my schedule and be my own boss so I can also be here for my children to watch them grow up and make memories with them. ❤️

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would for sure go to brunch at Sundays best in Sandy UT. It’s delicious and the atmosphere is so fun. Then I would take her for a hike up little or big cottonwood canyon depending if weather was good of course. The mountains and scenery in utah is beautiful. I would then take her to my favorite coffee shop here in west valley city UT. It’s called azucar. Small business for sure and totally delicious, lots of tasty pastries also. I would then take her to get a pedicure at a random salon that would have time to take us. Shopping in park city would have to be on the itinerary also. So many fun stores up there! One of my favorite chocolate shops is called hatch chocolates and it’s in Salt Lake City in the avenues and we would need to go there for dessert also. A drive to antelope island would be fun also.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I think the shout out for my personal success would be my mom and dad. They both encouraged me at the age of 19 to follow my dreams. They gave me the push I needed. My dad paid for my nail technician license in full and that was so helpful. My mom helped me get my first nail desk, she would also come to my school to get services and let me practice on her. Also, my husband needs a shout out as well. He has stood by me thru the journey and it hasn’t been an easy one. Lots of kinks along the way but he always encourages me to keep going.

Instagram: @Nailsbytonia