Packing Up My Studio: How I’m Letting Go and Starting Over
Opening my first nail studio was one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.
I didn’t have it all figured out — but I did it anyway.
This small basement space became a dream come true. It was where I welcomed my first clients, experimented with nail art, and built a cozy studio from the ground up. But after over a year of loving it and living in it, I made the difficult decision to close my in-person studio and shift my focus to a press-on nail business.
I wanted to take you behind the scenes of that transition, share what it looked like, what I felt — and the biggest lessons I learned from building (and letting go of) my first business.
Packing Up My Nail Studio
The first day I started packing, I just stood there, looking around. My shelves were still full of dipping powders and builder gels. My lash bed was still set up, and little nail art displays I’d made over the years were still hanging. It felt unreal that I was about to put it all away.
I packed supplies into boxes—keeping what I needed for my press-on business and setting aside the rest to donate or sell. Some things were easy to let go of. Others… not so much.
There was a display set I’d made for a client going to Disney World, she wanted something with a little mermaid theme. That design was so fun and special. I found another press-on set I quickly made for a wedding. I had broken one nail trying to take it off and ended up with only nine pieces in the box. It made me laugh, even now.
Each item held a memory, a moment, a little part of my journey.
The New Setup (a.k.a. The Bunny Room)
I moved everything into a much smaller shared space, my husband’s office, which also happens to be the bunny room (yes, I have two bunnies and they’re the cutest). I cleaned the floor, mapped out where my desk would go, and used a IKEA Kallax shelf to divide our workspaces.
It’s not the same as having a dedicated studio, but I’m making it work. Because right now, flexibility is everything.
How I Handled the Closing Process
If you’re wondering what the actual closing process looked like, here’s how I approached it:
- I didn’t shut down the business itself — just the in-person services. My business registration and branding are still active, since I’m pivoting to press-on nails and (maybe) future offerings.
- I gradually let clients know, starting two weeks before my last day. I told them during appointments and followed up with thank-you texts and emails.
- I offered referrals to other local nail techs I trust, so my clients wouldn’t feel left hanging.
- Most importantly, I kept it personal. I wanted them to know how much I appreciated their support and how much this journey has meant to me.
Progress So Far
Most of my furniture is gone now. Shelves, chairs, even my lash bed, all cleared out or listed for sale. I sorted everything into three piles: keep, sell, or give away.
One item I’m definitely keeping is my little polish fan dryer, it’s still one of my favorite tools for doing toes with regular polish! It dries polish faster and has saved me so many smudge disasters over the years.
If you’re interested, here’s the link to it on Amazon so you can check it out for your own setup.
Processing All the Feels
I’ve had emotional moments throughout this process. Some days I’m fine, motivated, even. Other days I just sit in the half-empty room and cry. It’s hard to say goodbye to something you built from scratch. Every corner of that room held a memory of me and my husband putting it together. Painting the walls, laying the floors, organizing shelves…
But what I’ve learned is this: change doesn’t mean the end.
It means growth. And I’ve learned a lot.
What’s Next?
This new chapter is all about building something more flexible and sustainable — something that works for me. Here’s what I’m focusing on:
- Creating custom press-on nail sets (and maybe joining some local markets!)
- Growing my online shop and community
- Blogging and sharing my journey to help other creatives navigating similar paths
- Being consistent on YouTube and building my personal brand
It’s scary, for sure. But it’s also exciting. There’s a blank page in front of me, and this time, I get to decide exactly what goes on it.
If you’re thinking about closing your business, shifting directions, or starting something new — I want you to know: it’s okay to feel everything.
Sadness. Relief. Doubt. Hope.
You don’t have to have it all figured out to take the next step. I didn’t. I still don’t. But I’m showing up. And I’m trusting the process.
Thank you for reading, watching, and walking alongside me. If you’ve gone through a business pivot, I’d love to hear your story in the comments below.
Let’s keep growing together 💖.
Tanny
