Meet Shanta White | Nail Artist & Entrepreneur

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

Hi Shanta, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Originally I worked in corporate America, I was let go from my former career of 7 1/2 years during the recession. I had my tonsils removed 3days after and had plenty of time to think and reflect on what would be next of my life! I knew for sure what I was doing was not fulfilling nor was I living in my purpose. As I prayed my mind reflected back to college when I would do mine and friends nails, I enjoyed the creativity outlet and the ability to put smiles on their faces, I also enjoyed the one on talks we would share. I knew my gifts were connected to my hands and my heart, hands: I have the gift of touch, I also love to draw and paint. Heart: i love people, I was a great listener and enjoy serving others. That night I researched schools, found the perfect one for me and enrolled the following day. I told absolutely no one!! I didn’t want anyone opinions and thoughts to discourage me on what I believed God had confirmed to me. My goal was to create what I always wanted when I got my nails done, to be treated special, be heard and understood. I wanted to leave feeling Pamper’d and spoiled. Growing up many of us had never had that experience in the local shops, which is why I started doing my own nails in college.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I learn by sight, I see something I like and I try to recreate it. My type of nail art is classy, simple and usually has a pop! I’m most inspired by fashion and prints, often times I’ll see an outfit or print I like and will have fun trying to recreate my version of it on the nail plate. Becoming a manicurist taught me a valuable lesson day one. I went to school, got licensed and had my own ideal of the journey I was going to take, but I had no idea what God was already paving for me. The same week I received my licenses I went to a informational about a new nail product, that day I meet literally the BEST in the nail game, Lisa Logan (Beyoncé & Mary J’s manicurist, Tom B. (JLo and Katy Perry’s manicurist) Naja R. (Keisha Cole & Pink) I was able to learn, hear stories of wisdom and gain knowledge in my career that would of taken years to experience! Lisa gave me her direct #, she mentored me and helped me with answers that new manicurist would struggle with. I was later introduced to other celebrity manicurist and was able to assist them on video and photo shoots, work in Vogue fashion shows. Although I wasn’t very sure of my next steps, because I did the work (getting licensed) when the opportunity arrived I was ready to walk into the open door and excel. I’m so grateful for them, taking me under their wings and providing opportunities for me to not only learn but also work with so many awesome people and gigs.
Was it easy? Smile, No but its rewarding!! To work in entertainment requires commitment there are many long days, sometimes 10+ hours, you have to be patient and have a good personality because you’re working with so many people that have different ideas and needs. You also must have integrity it can be a tough environment but you must be true with good character, it will take you a lot further than your skills and talent.
Lessons I’ve learned: Continue to educate yourself along your journey! Never think that you know it all, the industry is forever changing and is extremely trendy you must have a desire to keep up. One must also learn your boundaries, people will try to rub over you, they won’t always respect your time or gifts. Understand that everyone is NOT your client and be ok with that. Self care is also important to you! So often times we pour into others, and the release a lot their pain and emotions on you through conversations you have to learn to cleanse your mind and body from it. Replenish yourself through massages, walks or days of solitude. Find time to break away and do the things that you love and don’t forget about YOU!
I’d want the world to know me the woman that changed and healed the world through my smile, kind words and touch! We live in a day where so many people are hurting, struggling mentally and feeling overwhelmed. Everyday I wake up in hopes to bless at least one person, through my touch, a kind smile to warm their soul or a safe haven to be able to talk and simply be heard. It’s the little things that hold the greatest power and if I can make you smile, feel seen/heard and make you feel beautiful through your nails it gives me Joy to know I’m living in my purpose.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I absolutely love the Beach so we’d definitely have a chill day by the water. Most of my friends are foodies so I’d have to research some Good places to go to: coffee shop, good seafood restaurant, drinking Moscow Mules or a good fruity cider beer, I loveee Ultimate Texas Hold’em Poker so we are going to take a drive down to a local casino like Soboba. I love to go bowling or listen to some live music. Go down to Temecula and visit some wineries. I love a good road trip so we’d maybe go to Napa for the weekend or Vegas, basically wherever the wind would blow.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My main shoutout would be to my Parents! The older I get the more I realize how Blessed I am with my Mother and Father, both are so very Strong, Wise, Determined go getters!! My Mother is a Hidden Figure, she’s the 1st African American Woman Scientist for Chevron, she paved the way in a male dominant filled and took no mess. My Father made me want to be an Entrepreneur at a young age. He was on the top list of Entrepreneurs, growing up he owned 3 GoodYear Tire stores and every summer I would work with him and I admired the Respect and Power he had, he walked in Rooms and faces lit up. As a kid I remember saying “THAT’S going to be ME”!! Lastly my Sister, she was/is the strongest person I know, for half of her life she battled an Auto Immune disease, her dream was to be a Nurse. She was told it would be impossible, but all that did was push harder to prove them wrong, not only did she become a nurse but she also traveled as a nurse and became a charge nurse. The three of them remind me daily that ANY this is possible, no one can determine your future, keep the faith and to stay strong and courageous

Instagram: @pamperdsps

Image Credits
Urban Decay Make Up Ebony Magazine OPI polish