Meet Kelsi Johnson

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelsi Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Kelsi with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

Honestly, I get my work ethic from a mix of how I grew up, my personality, and wanting a good life.
It’s kind of that blend of I want better for myself and knowing no one’s gonna do it for me. And of course a little sprinkle of if I’m gonna do something, it better look cute.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a nail tech, esthetician, and all-around creative who loves mixing beauty with a little bit of soul. I’ve always been someone who learns with my hands and loves making things look and feel beautiful, so getting to do that for people every day honestly feels amazing.

What I love most is the creative side of my job. I get to play with colors, textures, and tiny details. I’m big on making my clients feel comfortable, seen, and a little bit more like themselves.

Lately, I’ve been growing more of the content-creation side of my work and trying to put myself out there, which is really scary and vulnerable. I’m slowly building a brand that feels really aligned with who I am.

Overall, I just want people to know that everything I make comes from a genuine place. I love what I do, I care about the details, and I’m excited to keep growing, creating, and trying new things as my career evolves.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

First creativity. I’ve always been a creative person, and honestly that’s what pushed me forward the most. My advice is to get out there and try stuff. Don’t worry about being perfect. Play with new ideas and let yourself learn by doing.
Second is consistency. Just showing up, especially on the days I didn’t feel like it made a huge difference. Start small and stick with it. Little habits add up way faster than you think.
Third would have to be trusting my gut. A lot of my journey has been following what felt right, even when it didn’t look like the “normal” path. Try and pay attention to what you keep coming back to. If something feels right, lean into it, even if it’s scary or different.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

I wouldn’t be where I am without my people. My boss has been huge for my growth she’s pushed me, taught me so much about the industry, and always supported me when I needed it. My friends and family have been my sounding board, my cheerleaders, and the ones who remind me why I’m doing all of this. And my husband has been there through every high and low, always encouraging me and keeping me grounded.
I’ve learned something different from each of them, and having that kind of support system has made every challenge feel a lot more manageable.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @larae.skinandnails
• Facebook: Kelsi LaRae- Skin and Nails

Image Credits

Gabriel Finlinson- Photographer
@ghfphotos
[email protected]