Seen on VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop” and Bravo’s “Real Housewives of New York” Harlem’s Bed of Nails provides homegrown luxury. The chic salon provides a posh experience that is worth the price earning it the title of Refinery 29’s best up-and-coming neighborhood nail spot. Opening the business at just twenty-five years old owner Candice Idehen had a clear vision that was a long time coming. The editorial manicurist has always been an entrepreneur beginning with her getting busted for selling candy out of her desk in fourth grade. She’s now embracing the challenges of brand expansion while building a team of talented technicians. We got her take on management style, dedication, and commitment to quality over quantity.
Name: Candice Idehen
Location: Harlem, NY
Personal Style: “Eclectic, Powerful, and Interesting”
Favorite Designer(s): Thats a tough one okay I would say Marc Jacobs because I’ve loved him since high school. He has this element of “i dont care-ness” that’s really cool to me. Maybe two seasons ago he did a show for spring summer and it was black and dark berry and dark green. It wasn’t what everyone else was doing, the poppy brights, and he didn’t care. I love that it’s not about what the trend forecasters do and see it’s about what he’s feeling. I was actually privileged to work with him once one on one to create a look that was like a dream come true.
Must-Have Accessories: Nails are the perfect accessory.Those, rings and a necklace. I love a good necklace it can elevate anything.
LBS: What inspired you to open your own salon?
I was always into nails, I went to Catholic school my whole life and in high school nails were really popular. That’s what we had to express ourselves with. I came back to New York and needed an extra three credits from City College so I took a black studies class that was open. The first day of class the professor said “this is black business and entrepreneurship”, there was no description because it was the first time he had taught the course. We had to create a viable business plan throughout the class. So I said “i’ll invent a nail salon just for the purpose of this course”. And I actually really loved doing the fieldwork and the research. I never wanted to work for anybody else. I graduated college in 2011 and we opened in 2013.
What is your vision for Bed of Nails growth?
The vision is to become known as the premiere luxury nail salon experience which is why we have the events. We had a tequila event, we’re doing a summer drink series. Part of the branding for me was I didn’t want it to just be a nail salon. I wanted it to be a place where you just happened to get your nails done, where you just love being there. We’re working on a Girl’s Night Out package. I want to expand to other locations. I also want to work on a product line.
Who inspires you?
Definitely Deborah Lipmann. She’s just awesome! Bloomberg, I was in Milan for fashion week and seeing the blue light flashing from the Bloomberg building was wow! He has this level of clout where he’s represented all over the world. And what he did for small businesses in New York I found that interesting. And of course I love Oprah.
What’s been the greatest moment in your career so far?
Working on a look for Marc Jacobs, that was epic!
What was that experience like?
I got the call to do it and of course I went running and he was actually sitting next to me and we were coming up with the look for his show. I had recently done my nails like two days before and he goes “gosh I love your nails I want to do something like that for the look”. And I was like “ahhhhhh he likes my nails!” It was just a magical experience. When I saw him backstage at the show he remembered me and said hi and I was still like “oh my god Marc Jacobs!”
As a salon owner how important are ethics in the beauty industry to you?
They’re 100% important. They’re also a reason why I went into business. Being on both sides of the chair from a customer to an employee I didn’t like the way owners would treat the staff or the way services were provided. I’ve always said I wanted Bed of Nails to be like the Google of nail salons. People that work at Google stay at Google. They love it. I wanted to create that same kind of feeling and sentiment for my staff. I treat them excellent because I know how I was treated. If there’s a birthday I highlight their birthday and do something special for them. We had a staff appreciation day I took them all bowling. There’s a juice bar near by I’ll buy juices for them. I actually show that I care that’s important to me as well as paying livable salaries.
Have you seen that appreciation make a difference in your business since you’ve gotten started?
I definitely notice that the staff becomes more invested when they realize that you care about them and their needs as well. It’s something that helps you build teams. I’m really big on teams. When I need something from them it’s not “well she never does anything for me” it’s “sure what do you need?”. It’s just about quality of life. You’re human. You’re spending so much time here. I want you to feel comfortable. I don’t want to create a hostile environment. I’m here too. To me it only makes sense.
What three pieces of advice would you give to aspiring nail artists and salon owners?
- Remain humble.
- Always be willing to learn from others and yourself.
- Have a plan because you will get distracted, sidetracked and feel like what am I doing? If you have a plan you will always get back on track. You will always be clear on your vision and where you’re headed and where you are in root to that.
What’s in your handbag right now?
My makeup kit, my wallet- it’s actually Marc Jacobs, a card case from Givenchy, a red Moleskin, a pen, a lipstick and an iPhone 6 Plus.
To learn more about Harlem’s bed of nails check out their website here.