If you’re on this page, it is likely that this is your truth: a fresh manicure brings sheer, unbridled serotonin to its wearer. Coupled with cathartic spill-your-heart-out therapy sessions with your go-to nail artist, and it’s safe to say that nirvana is within reach on a monthly basis. The nail industry is a booming one for these very reasons, with Singapore seeing no shortage of successful entrepreneurs. A standout savant in our local scene? FriskyNails, also known as Lau Wei Shuen.
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Dubbed a force to be reckoned with by members of the public and professionals within the field, the nail artist first catapulted into the spotlight for her ingenious designs. Unbeknown to most, this thriving business was once only a personal hobby to Lau, who initially trained to become a professional dancer.
“I started painting my own nails when I was in dance school for the sake of affordability, but when I realised that I was spending about $300 on supplies each month, I decided to do my friends nails to sustain my hobby, and it blew up from there,” she remarks. “From doing my friends nails, to their friends nails, and to complete strangers nails. If you told past-me I would be doing this full-time, I’d be in a state of disbelief,” Lau adds. “What drew me in apart from the flexibility and capability to earn as much as my friends in corporate, however, was the opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life on the daily.”
Fast-forward six years, and FriskyNails is a registered company which has risen to amass an impressive following of 27,000 on Instagram, of which brims with highly-requested tutorials turned masterclasses for fellow nail artist aspirants. Beyond the eye-opening artistry and creativity of her work, Lau believes that prioritising impeccable, customer-centric service from start to finish is the game-changer in her entrepreneurship journey.
What made you give up professional dancing to pursue nail art full-time?
I was half-way through dance school when I realised I’d have to head overseas if I wanted to make it big. To me, family was everything and I wasn’t willing to miss out on watching my two toddler brothers grow up. Nail art, on the other hand, gave me the flexibility to plan my own schedule, and to spend time with family and travel. Knowing that the income from my unique service could sustain my ideal lifestyle in Singapore, coupled with being blessed with a supportive father who gave me the space to make mistakes also contributed to this decision.
As a nail artist, what brings you fulfilment?
This profession lets me hear stories about people’s lives that sometimes even their closest friends or family will never get to know. You know, like when you’re comfortable enough to divulge your deepest, darkest secrets to your hairstylist because they’re objective and out of your life. They’re there for you and not to make any judgments. Knowing that I can make people feel happy throughout the month whenever they look at their manicure is rewarding as well.
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What made you want to become a nail art educator as well?
When I first started, I was always extremely appreciative of famous nail techs who would share tips and tag their products. Without those nuggets of information, I would have never discovered all these different brands and products that really elevated my nail art. I enjoyed the feeling when others shared their knowledge, and thoroughly wanted to be that person for other nail techs too. Given the demand, why not?
What are some key lessons you’ve learnt through your entrepreneurship journey?
My father has given me a lot of insight on running a business. He told me to never do things half-heartedly or illegally despite the many existing ways to cut corners for profit. It’s not just about the end-product or what nail design a customer goes home with. It’s about how you communicate with them from beginning to end, what they feel when they make a booking on Instagram, when they first step into the studio, and at every point of their customer experience. It’s about everything in-between. These are the steps one takes to show the true intentions behind their business and branding prior to a customer even showing up for the service.
How is FriskyNails a manifestation of yourself and your intentions?
I like being honest about my skills. I won’t make empty promises about a design I can’t execute, like character art. Or, I’ll be upfront with a customer and tell them that their inspiration pictures look a certain way because of lighting, for example, but the end-product might not be the same.
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This is a big thing, because I don’t want my customers to be disappointed or unsatisfied. Secondly, as a person I’m pretty outgoing and chaotic, which reflects in my content and work—there’s never a set or favourite style. Sometimes I like cute, gothic, diva, or abstract nails. This shines through my art, and my clients appreciate it because nobody really wants to stick to the same thing forever. It’s fun to be able to switch things up every month.
What advice would you give to aspiring female beauty entrepreneurs in Singapore?
It will always be hard. Think long-term. We have to be pragmatic and ensure all our bases are covered. Plan in advance, and if you’re not fully sure of what you want to do, take small steps if possible. Upgrade your skill set, hone your craft so that you are the only, or part of the few, who can provide a niche service. Stay true to yourself and have good intentions when making genuine connections with people. That really did it for me, because FriskyNails grew through word-of-mouth, and not the countless business ads you see on social media.
Take care of every single customer, for they are going to be your best advertisers. They will tell their friends, sisters, mothers, and more. Imagine every client is a VIP. I don’t sponsor any influencers—they’ve all paid full price like anybody else—because I believe anyone who steps into my studio or sits on my chair is deserving of VIP treatment. Treating the average customer with the best care and service is more valuable than trying to go viral with an influencer’s help. Get that network going for you. Treat people well, because a business shouldn’t be about making money. It should be about doing good. Once you prioritise that, the money comes naturally.
