Episode Details

Thinking about how to start a nail business in Chicago? In this episode, Owner Nasjali Cruz of NBN Nails (NBN Chicago) breaks down exactly how she built a bookings-driven studio in Lakeview—covering Gel-X, structured gel, acrylic, pricing strategy, policies that prevent no-shows, marketing that fills the calendar, and when to expand beyond nails.

What you’ll learn

• Step-by-step: turning nail skills into a real nail tech business

• Services to offer (Gel-X, structured gel, acrylic) and how to position each

• Pricing & timing: setting rates by time blocks, complexity, and product cost

• Policies that protect profits (deposits, cancellation/no-show)

• Chicago marketing: IG/UGC, reviews, and local partnerships that actually book

• Hiring & standards for a consistent client experience

• Smart expansion (adjacent beauty services) and the KPIs to watch

About the guest
Nasjali Cruz, owner of NBN Nails (NBN Chicago), opened her a Lakeview studio at age 18 & is known for structured gel, Gel-X, acrylic, and a polished client experience.

Book NBN Chicago:nbnchicago.glossgenius.com

About this show
Startup or Shutup! spotlights real founders building real businesses—tactics you can use this week. Subscribe for more nail salon owner interviews, small business marketing, and how-to episodes.

Keywordsstart a nail business in Chicago, nail salon Chicago, nail tech pricing, Gel-X Chicago, structured gel Chicago, acrylic nails Chicago, how to start a nail salon, nail tech marketing, booking policies no-show, small business podcast

Hashtags#NailBusiness #ChicagoNails #GelX #StructuredGel #AcrylicNails #NailTech #NailSalonOwner #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #StartupOrShutup