Focused intently on the client in front of her, junior Mia Sangrey carefully paints the nails of one of her many classmates-turned-customers. What started as a hobby during the Christmas break of her sophomore year has developed into a small business that keeps Sangrey busy nearly every day after school.

“I just really like art and I like nails, and I’ve always wanted to start doing it, so that inspired me,” Sangrey said. “[Seeing nails on] my friends, online, and in stores [inspired me] because I used to do press-on nails a lot which led to me wanting to do my own.”

Sangrey’s interest in doing nails started long before her business took shape. Unofficially called Nails by Mia, Sangrey’s business is a self-run operation that has grown in popularity over the past year.

“I practiced on myself a lot at first, and then I started practicing on my friends, but what introduced me to the business side was that my best friend’s sister does nails,” Sangrey said. “That made me want to start doing it as a job. I’ve always wanted to, but having someone closer to me [made it seem] more achievable.”

Averaging five nail appointments per week, while managing schoolwork and a social life, Sangrey notes the struggles that come with being a small business owner as a teenager.

“Space, money and managing school and nails [are my biggest challenges], because I have to study and do homework after I do nails. Since we get out of school at three or four o’clock, it doesn’t give me a lot of time between doing my nails and doing homework,” Sangrey said.

Sangrey has been painting nails for years, but “never imagined” that one of her favorite pastimes would morph into something bigger. She plans to pursue nails as a career and keep growing her business around the South Bay.

“I really like doing [nails], and it’s fun,” Sangrey said. “A lot of people ask me how I have the time to sit and do this or how I have the patience, but I enjoy it, so it doesn’t really feel like a chore.”

The commitment Sangrey brings to her work has made an impression on many of her friends and classmates, including junior Lily Camou.

“She’s very precise and she really takes her time on getting to know what you want for your nails,” Camou said.

Camou has been getting her nails done by Sangrey since March of 2025, and has become a frequent customer of hers, but has also been her friend for years. This gives her the unique perspective of knowing Sangrey’s personality as a friend, and as a business owner.

“She’s more professional just because she needs to be a lot more focused and a lot more in the zone to be doing the nails,” Camou said. “But, she’s still very friendly, very kind and very interested in you and your life.”

Sangrey has built a loyal client base, with students often coming back due to her meticulous attention to detail and reasonable prices.

“She’s very precise and she really takes her time on getting to know what you want for your nails,” Camou said. “Other nail techs kind of just do whatever. They’ll look at the [reference] picture and do that. With Mia, she does it for you and caters to you.”

After nearly a year working with clients, Sangrey reflects on her journey and the guidance she would offer to anyone who wanted to start a business of their own.

“Keep trying and never give up,” Sangrey said. “Just go for it. Start [a business and] if it seems to be going well, you should keep pursuing it.”