Today we’d like to introduce you to Darriona Griffin.
Hi, Darriona; please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Ever since I could remember, I’ve been interested in cosmetology. Stylists’ creativity and unique artistic styles always drew me toward the field. I started cosmetology school as a junior in high school, attending a 2-year dual enrollment program that allowed me to get my cosmetology license at 19 in 2020. After exploring the cosmetology field, I ultimately fell in love with the never-ending possibilities of nail art and trying to shift the narrative of nails from just being a routine service to an experience where your nails become a personalized accessory. I started doing nails out of my college dorm room on and off and eventually moved to work as a technician in a nail salon for a few months. I never really felt like my personal nail art style fit into any established business, and that’s when I knew it was time to start Alignment Nail Studio, where the client’s vision and nails align. During this transition of finding a home for Alignment Nail Studio, I began going to my client’s homes to perform services until I came across FaceCard Beauty Studio, where I currently take clients! Ultimately, I plan to branch out and open my nail studio that other nail technicians can call home within the next few years.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When it comes to being an entrepreneur, there isn’t such a thing as smooth sailing! As a small business owner, I do everything independently, which can sometimes be overwhelming. I’m the nail technician, the photographer, the content creator, the digital marketer, the accountant, etc. While it can be stressful, the reward of gaining new clients from the video that took me an hour to edit or seeing a beaming smile from my clients leaving an appointment makes it all worth it. The nail industry is also very competitive, and an artist’s unique style or expertise makes them stand out most of the time. Comparing my art to others and being unnecessarily harsh on myself has been a challenge I’m overcoming daily!
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Alignment Nail Studio provides Gel-X nail extensions and natural nail services, including structured and traditional gel manicures. I specialize in nail art, giving my clients as detailed and clean art as possible. “Where the vision and the nails align” is the motto of Alignment Nail Studio, so I strive to give my clients the exact nail art they see in their head; I’ve heard so many horror stories and have even experienced for myself paying an absurd amount for nails that didn’t even turn out how you wanted them. For each nail set, I make sure to draw out the design so my client can see exactly what they’re getting, and it also allows them to make any changes so they can receive a nail set they’re confident in, which is what sets me apart from most nail techs. I’m most proud of the commissioned press on nails I did for Mugler’s new women’s fragrance, Alien Hypersense. My longtime friend Keshon Campbell, an STL native director and artist, directed the most beautiful commercial for the fragrance that I was able to model for as well as showcase my skills for a new genre and audience.
What makes you happy?
It makes me extremely happy when I just put my headphones in, do extremely detailed or maximalist nail art, zone out, and let my creative juices flow. I’ve always been interested in different types of art like pottery, sculpting, and painting, so to mesh that interest with nails is always super fun, and it’s always exciting to see how the plan for my nail art changes throughout the process.
Pricing:
- Gel-X: starting at $50
- Structured Manicures: starting at $50
- Gel Manicures: starting at $40
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alignmentnailstudio.as.me/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignmentnailstudio?igsh=MXViNHE4eDY0NTRqbg==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/Yc9Tit44mY8LzCbq/?mibextid=dGKdO6
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@AlignmentNailStudio?si=d08bpI02gwZq4fzY
Image Credits
Image of myself: Keys Filmz Mugler, Perfume photo: Keshon Campbell
