By: ZaNaria Bowens
April 27, 2023
After nine years in the nail styling world, manicurist TheGoat ofNailsss broke into the nail industry and was once turned down by customers as one of the only black nail techs starting in 2014.
(Houston)- Steena, better known as TheGoat ofNailsss, continues to make a name for herself, becoming the go-to nail tech during New York Fashion Week. Originally from a small town in Wisconsin, she relocated to H-town in the peak of Covid early 2020 at 6220 Westpark Freeway.
Steena's passion for nails grew as a young girl while spending time with her grandmother, requesting to buy polish and acrylic nail sets from the Dollar Store. The eagerness to style those around her quickly grew, where she later became a manicurist after studying in school, working a part-time apprenticeship job, and opening up her nail shop at 24.
Her grind earned her phone calls from places all over the globe, New York Fashion Week, and even customizing a set for Simone Biles featured on the cover of Essence front page magazine.
"I'm grateful to have opportunities like working with Simone Biles and being featured in Essence Magazine because it opened doors to work with other brands," said Steena.
Simone Biles (Photos by TheGoatofNailsss).
Steena quickly noticed that being a Black woman doing nails was frowned upon until 2018, and then COVID rose when more nail techs of color started to peak in the nail industry.
When opening her shop in 2019, she realized "the best support and returning clients come from strangers, not family & friends," said Steena.
(Photos by The Goat of Nails).
Since 2020, Steena says Houston is a big area where she is working to build her clientele back up compared to Racine, a small rural town in Wisconsin.
Her next big project is working on a series where you can see the creative process of styling clients' nails while discussing real-world topics. Look for her to work with some of your favorite celebrities and editorial pieces.
She remembers at one point in time being the newby nail tech, leaving this message to aspiring creatives. "Don't let anyone deter you from your goals! You can't be good at something without practicing it," said Steena.
To see more of Steena's creative work, follow her Instagram @Thegoatofnailsss.
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