In the middle of a busy school week filled with quizzes and endless amounts of homework, Sophomore Elyse Loessl is building an empire day by day. While most students stay at home studying or talking to their friends, Loessl is making a calendar of her clients appointments, and looking at nail designs. Her passion for the art is much more than just making some quick money. Its an introduction to the importance of time management, communication, and the responsibility that shapes who she will be beyond the polish.
Loessl has found that with the new school year, running her nail business from home has made her busier than ever. Loessl, however, is aware of the importance of being able to balance school, friends, clients, and her personal life, as well as her schedule – skills that reflect on both her business and her regular life.
“I think right now, every day, I’m thinking about how I’m going to fit all these all these people,” Loessl said.
However, Loessl has found that even with the busy and stressful schedule there has been benefits to it in her motivation.
“I would just keep leveling up to the next step of what I was doing, so that just motivated me to keep going with getting better myself,” Loessl said.
Despite Lossel running her business from her home, she works to ensure that her customers receive the highest standard of service. Lossel works to find quality sources for the products she uses.
“I bought so many new things this summer to make that set up just how I like it. So it feels real like I’m actually doing someone’s nails rather than just sitting at my kitchen table,” Loessl said.
Running her business in her bedroom has given Loessl more than just a fun after-school hobby. It has also taught her about financial responsibility. Loessl’s attention to detail and care for clients has not gone unnoticed. One of her clients, sophomore, Lillian Bennett sees the effort she has put in.
“She is an awesome nail tech because she does her best with each set. She also puts her best effort into every client, and she’s also just super funny which makes appointments fun,” Bennett said.
Despite how much time Loessl spends on the business that she cares for deeply, she is also prioritizing her school work.
“I have found it’s important not to procrastinate, and I need to do my homework. I always have a schedule. I’m always scheduling my weekends, and fitting in plans, but school is a big priority,” Loessl said.
English teacher Shannon White taught Loessl last year, which allowed her to develop an understanding of who she is as an individual.
“What I most admire about Elyse is that she is choosing a path that allows her to develop executive functioning skills and soft skills that many students her age lack,” White said. “Managing time and resources are two additional skills that many young adults struggle with, but [she’s] getting so much practice and experience with this already,”
Loessl’s care for her business has opened up big dreams for her future. While she has found the benefits of being able to do something she loves, she has also considered a completely different path.
”I’ve thought about my future, you know, owning a salon, being a cosmetologist and aesthetician, and doing lashes, facials, nails. [Or], I would go into medical school. I would like to be like a x-ray tech or a radiologist,” Loessl said.
Her clients see that Lossel’s display of self discipline, time management, and commitment has allowed her a head start in her goals. Whether she has her own salon in her future or decides to pursue the medical field, Loessel believes she has already started providing her skills that may come necessary.
“My business is one of the most important things in my life and I would love to see where it’s headed,” Loessl said.
