Today we’d like to introduce you to TaiShana Franklin.
TaiShana, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been drawn to beauty—not just in appearance, but in design, craftsmanship, and the way things make people feel.
Most people are surprised when I tell them that I originally wanted to become a mechanical engineer specializing in automotive design. I’ve always loved cars, and I was fascinated by how things were built. Ironically, while I was dreaming about engineering, everyone around me kept telling me I should go into cosmetology or fashion. At the time, though, trades weren’t viewed as “real careers.” Looking back now, I think we seriously underestimated the value of skilled trades, and we’re seeing the effects of that today.
My dream school was North Carolina A&T State University, and my parents worked incredibly hard to help me get there. Financially, it just wasn’t possible. One of my mentors from the Midnight Golf Program—a program that changed my life—encouraged me to attend Michigan State University instead. Calling him was one of the best decisions I ever made.
College didn’t unfold the way I expected. My grades struggled, and I couldn’t understand why because I’ve always been someone who loves learning. I need to know the “why” behind things, and when something clicks, I absorb it. At the time, though, I felt like I was failing.
After coming home, I started working. Five Below became my first real retail job, and I quickly earned promotions. Then I was falsely accused of stealing. I wasn’t fired, but it completely changed the way I viewed loyalty in the workplace.
Thankfully, I had also started working at Ulta Beauty. I absolutely loved it there. I worked my way up to Prestige Manager, but after deciding to enroll in cosmetology school, I was eventually demoted and later let go. Looking back, those moments felt devastating, but every setback was quietly redirecting me toward where I was supposed to be.
By then, I had fully committed to attending Paul Mitchell The School. That decision changed everything.
I’ve always been naturally artistic, but education gave me confidence. It helped me understand not just how to perform services, but why techniques matter, how products work, and how to truly care for people’s nails instead of simply making them look pretty.
I worked in a salon for a little over three years. It gave me incredible experience, but as I grew professionally—and personally—I realized I wanted something different. I got married in August 2020 during the height of COVID, and then welcomed my first daughter in June 2022. Becoming a wife and mother shifted my perspective. I wanted to build something that aligned with my values: healthy environments, genuine relationships, and a business where people actually enjoyed coming to work.
I decided to use maternity leave as my exit strategy. I remember asking myself, “If I can work this hard building someone else’s dream, why can’t I build my own?”
That question changed my life.
Today, I’m the co-owner of De+T Nail Lounge alongside one of my former coworkers. We recently celebrated three years in business, and we’re still just getting started.
We’re a full-service nail salon offering manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements, but our mission goes far beyond nails. We believe healthy nails are a form of self-care. Everything we do is rooted in education, attention to detail, and making people feel seen. We’re currently expanding our education by becoming Advanced Nail Technicians so we can better serve our community.
We’re also building a brand that celebrates creativity beyond the salon. We create handcrafted retail products like body butters, cuticle oils, and other artisan goods because creativity has never stopped with nails for me. If I can imagine it, I usually want to learn how to make it.
In fact, yesterday we participated in a local health and wellness pop-up. Seeing people connect with our products, ask questions, and experience our brand outside of the salon reminded me why I started all of this in the first place. It’s bigger than providing a service—it’s about building community and helping people care for themselves.
When I look back, every detour—the missed opportunities, losing jobs, changing careers, becoming a wife and mom—was preparing me for entrepreneurship. None of it was wasted.
I truly believe we’re all given gifts for a reason. Mine happens to be creating, educating, and serving others. That’s what De+T Nail Lounge allows me to do every single day, and honestly, I feel like we’re only scratching the surface of what’s possible.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t change any of it because every challenge shaped the business owner and woman I am today.
One of my earliest lessons was learning that loyalty isn’t always reciprocated.
My parents taught me the value of loyalty and quality work and that’s who I was; loyal and professional. What were, at the time, heartbreaking experiences at my previous employers, they ultimately propelled me toward entrepreneurship. They taught me that job security isn’t always guaranteed, but betting on yourself can be yield great rewards.
Another challenge, not exclusive to me, has been balancing entrepreneurship with marriage and motherhood. Becoming a wife and giving birth to two daughters, 15 months apart, within a four-year period was a significant undertaking. While I love both roles, it has been a sacrifice. Long days behind the chair, and even longer nights working on the business after putting my children to bed is taxing, physical and mentally. Learning how to be present for my family while growing a company has been one of the greatest balancing acts of my life.
Lastly, overcoming self doubt and the ‘perfection syndrome’ was a huge challenge. Thinking that things had to be perfect before taking a step can paralyze you. I’ve had to learn that perfection can delay progress. Entrepreneurship has taught me that it’s better to take imperfect action, learn from it, and keep moving than to wait until everything feels perfect. Yes, we have our challenges in the current space that we’re renting, but I know my building is coming soon. I don’t look at challenges as reasons to quit—I look at them as opportunities to grow. Every difficult season has strengthened my faith, refined my vision, and reminded me why I started De+T Nail Lounge.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
De+T Nail Lounge was founded on the belief that healthy nails are a form of self-care. We are more than a nail salon—we’re building a space where education, wellness, artistry, and genuine connection come together. Every guest deserves to feel seen, heard, and cared for, and that philosophy guides every service we provide.
We offer full-service nail care, including manicures, pedicures, structured manicures, nail enhancements, and custom nail artistry. While beautiful nails are important, our focus is preserving the health and integrity of the natural nail. We’re currently expanding our education by becoming Advanced Nail Technicians because we believe our community deserves knowledgeable professionals who understand not only how to create beautiful nails, but how to maintain healthy ones.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to the entire client experience. We intentionally create a welcoming, judgment-free environment where clients can relax, recharge, and feel genuinely cared for. We don’t believe luxury is defined by chandeliers or expensive décor. To us, luxury is being heard, receiving exceptional care, and leaving feeling better than when you walked in.
Beyond salon services, we’re building a lifestyle brand that celebrates creativity and craftsmanship. We proudly offer handcrafted retail products, including nourishing body butters, cuticle oils, African net sponges, and other self-care essentials, with plans to continue expanding our product line. Creativity has always been part of who I am, so our brand reflects that. Whether it’s nails, skincare, crochet, epoxy art, or future product lines, we want every piece to be intentionally crafted and genuinely useful.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just that we’ve been in business for over three years—it’s the culture we’re creating. De+T Nail Lounge was built with intention, resilience, and a genuine desire to raise the standard of what clients should expect from the nail industry. We want every appointment to feel less like another beauty service and more like an experience rooted in trust, education, and self-care.
Our vision extends far beyond the salon chair. We want to help elevate the nail industry by showing that nail technicians are skilled professionals, educators, artists, and healthcare advocates who deserve the same respect as any other licensed trade. For far too long, our industry has been underestimated. We hope to change that through education, professionalism, and by continuing to invest in advanced training that allows us to better serve our clients.
At the heart of everything we do is our mission: to create meaningful experiences that leave people feeling confident, cared for, and empowered. We believe healthy nails are a form of self-care, and we’re committed to helping every guest understand that beauty and wellness go hand in hand. This is only the beginning for De+T Nail Lounge, and we’re excited to continue growing, serving our community, and redefining what the modern nail salon experience can be.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe luck has been the driving force behind my journey. I believe God opens and closes doors exactly when He knows we’re ready, even if we don’t understand it at the time. Looking back, many moments that felt like bad luck—struggling in college, losing jobs, or facing unexpected setbacks—were actually redirections that led me to entrepreneurship and the life I’m building today.
I do believe opportunities matter, but I also believe you have to be prepared when they arrive. Success comes from showing up consistently, continuing to learn, and trusting the process even when the path doesn’t make sense. What some people call luck, I often see as preparation meeting opportunity, guided by faith.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://detnaillounge.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/detnaillounge?igsh=MW9wZmtzbjU5M203YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- LinkedIn: https://linktr.ee/De_t
