Conversations with Ashley Harley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Harley.

I’ve always serviced women; I enjoy helping them to feel their best and making sure they’re representing themselves the way they want to be seen through styling and wardrobing. Seeing woman’s desire and need for their personal care to still be intact sparked the feelings I had when I was a full-time stylist, and I instantly wanted to provide the service even more. Women love to feel pretty, we love to feel like everything is put together. Nails are a huge part of that, and Coveted Claws caters to that desire.

There’s also a huge gap in the nail industry for affordable, and attainable designs. When going to the nail salon, you either get hit with limitations on what you can have done or risk leaving with a gigantic bill; it can be unfair. I wanted to take those personal frustrations and turn them into wins for individuals like me, who just want to have their nails be an extension of who they are. Press-ons are reusable, so you’re not getting nails you can only wear for a few weeks, you’re essentially getting a piece of wearable, reusable art. I am providing women a service that gives them desirable options, long-term wear, saves them valuable time and money, and they get exactly what they want.

I think I am where I am today because of those things. On top of the fact that my client base allows me to be as creative and free as I want to be! I get to utilize my background in fashion and design, my canvas is just nails now! The passion for providing luxury and all things beauty also helps to drive Coveted Claws forward. And people are so open and receptive to it!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Absolutely not!!! There’s a huge divide in the perception of what people assume press-on nails are and what they really are, and can be. I think a lot of people tend to think about the Tinker Bell sets we used to play with when we were little, and the nails from the dollar store that you can just grab and go; and this is not that! And it can be an extremely daunting task to convince someone that what you have to offer is worthwhile, and is as durable, and even more rewarding than a trip to the salon. It is a daily challenge to prove the value of what I offer to new, potential clients.

Trying to grow a business during a pandemic is also a struggle within itself. ESPECIALLY when I see other businesses popping off and making it big in an instant! With my background being largely in retail and customer service, I feel I work my best when I can look in my customers’ face and talk to them directly, so this has been a huge learning curve for me but I keep pushing forward because I have to!

Outside of that, just the typical trials and errors you go through as a new business owner who’s doing everything on your own, but I am enjoying every part of this process.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In creating a luxury press-on nail experience, I do everything by hand. All of the nails are made from high-quality gel tips, and I follow the same steps your local nail tech would, without the harsh chemicals. I take pride and joy in designing nails that people will take pleasure in wearing! I think if I were to ask my clients what I specialize in, they would say making them feel special. I write personal notes with every order, and I am often told they feel like they just got a present when their boxes are delivered. I’m constantly working on improving this experience.

This is so hard to answer honestly! Outside of the bright pink shipping boxes, I think I am known for the images my photographer, Stephen Crosson, captures for the brand. They aren’t all straight nail shots, but, are dynamic, artistic images that you don’t typically see for press-on nails. Each shoot has a theme and everything is styled around the nails. I have also been told that seeing a dark-skinned woman model nails is extremely rare, and it draws people’s attention; whether it’s because of the shock factor, or because they feel included.