Denae Simmons is taking her love for nail art outside the four walls of her bedroom and onto the streets tomorrow night.

Her stall, Colour Art Nails, will be the first of its kind at Harbour Nights.

The 26-year-old’s goal is to transform women’s tired toes and neutral finger nails into a walking canvas.

She spoke to Lifestyle about why she finally decided to turn her hobby into a business.

How did you get into nail art in the first place?

It got started as a hobby and I was just experimenting with designs on myself. Then I had friends and family who really liked what I was doing and asked me to do their nails. It all went from there. I ended up using any money I saved to buy myself products and over the last three years, I’ve become a lot better at it.

Did you grow up doing your own nails as a teen?

No, I actually never had an interest for it in high school. They had a class at CedarBridge Academy called Personal Care and I actually switched out of it. I’ve always had a passion for art and always wanted to find a career that involved that. It wasn’t until I started getting my nails done at around 18 or 19 that my interest started to grow when it came to nail art. I think the craft started to become more known around that time and I liked it. It wasn’t just one coloured strip on the nail, it was evolving into drawings and glitter and even decorations, so that’s when I really started to fall in love with it. Even when you watch E! News and they are on the red carpet for an event they have the mani-cam now so you can get a close look at some of the stars’ nails. I wanted to take that idea to Harbour Nights on Wednesdays and not just have a nail stall, but try and utilise social media as well. There’s a TV show called Nailed It. It really shows how much nail art has taken off.

Did you have any proper training in it or just learn on your own?

I’ve always known I was good at art, but I knew I had to be good at the actual foundational stuff if I was going to do nails. I had to learn how to apply acrylic nails and gels, do shaping and that kind of thing, so I ended up buying all sorts of products from Sunshine Company. The ladies there told me about everything I would need to get started, then I went off to practice, practice, practice. I also went to Bermuda College and completed a nail programme there and graduated in June of last year. People tell me I’m really good at what I do, but this industry keeps on evolving and you really have to keep on top of new styles and techniques. There aren’t just square nails, there’s rounded or pointed tips. You have to do your research if you want to master it and there’s always something to learn.

Why did you decide to open a stall at Harbour Nights instead of working in a traditional spa setting?

I thought about it and I figured there is stuff for the kids to do at Harbour Nights, why not bring something for the adults to enjoy? Nail art is fun and something cool to look at. There’s art involved and it will attract different people. They might say “I want to have my toes done or my hands done” and it’s in and out. We want to make it as quick as possible.

Were there any challenges when setting up the business?

I guess budgeting for it and getting the logistics sorted were the hardest parts. I had to go through the Health Department and actually I’m the first person to do nails at Harbour Nights. The Health Department had to put together a special stipulation for me so I could do it.

How are you feeling in lead up to the launch?

We start tomorrow and I’m really excited. I’m just trying to make it like a party booth. I want to make it into a club-like atmosphere. It will have lights that change colour and music playing, that’s my plan. I’m in entertainment and like to entertain, so I’m thinking of if I were to go to a nail art stall as a customer what would attract me? People can flip through an iPad to see some of the designs I’ve already done before choosing. Then they can pop by for a five-minute mani clean-up or try a more elaborate design. It’s all waterless services. We will also have flash tattoos. I feel like this is something different. There is no one else doing anything like this so I figure if I do end up opening my own salon this will be great practice. I also don’t want to be someone who waits too long to fulfil a dream. I feel like I can still do this on the side and get satisfaction from it. I am a go-getter and like to stay busy, so why not do it now and, depending how this summer goes, let it grow from there.

*The stall will be located on the waterside on Front Street every Wednesday from 7pm until 10pm. For more information on Colour Art Nails, check out Instagram and Facebook.