KANYAMAZANE – According to research, schoolchildren are gradually turning to social media for guidance on their future, and Charlotte Phiri can attest that this works.

When this 20-year-old could not decide what to study after passing grade 12, she decided to turn to YouTube to hone her love for nail art in order to make some cash. Today, the lass owns her own nail bar and according to her, business is booming.

“I’ve always been fascinated by beautifully manicured nails and I remember how I would literally gape at one of my teacher’s nails during lessons and dream that one day I would have mine done exactly like hers. Little did I realise that I’d be the one giving others perfect nail-do’s,” she said.

One fateful day when her aunt was preparing to get married, she found herself in the same room as the nail technician who was doing the bride and her maids’ manicures.

“I kept on staring at each and every step and I realised that I could do it,” she added.
At time she was in grade eight and she asked her mother to buy her a start-up kit which she used to do manicures for people from her neighbourhood.

“Locals supported my business and as it grew, I turned to YouTube to learn other nail techniques,” said Phiri.
She added that she sees more than 20 clients per week.

“I hope to train a few girls to assist me because it gets hectic at times,” she stated.

To other girls who feel like it is the end of the world because they cannot afford to further their studies after grade 12, Phiri advised that they should look inside themselves and find that passion they have always had, polish it and excel in it.

“Doing business has helped me to be responsible and I hope to grow it from my granny’s garage to something bigger in the township,” she concluded.

Her clients are pleased with her services.

“You’d swear that she studied from some specialised college for this. She is professional and her job is always neat and well done,” said one of her happy customers, Ms Thoko Masemola.