Meet Ky Santilli

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ky Santilli. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ky below.

Hi Ky, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?
Growing up and throughout my adulthood there have been things that I’ve wanted but I just couldn’t have. I try my best to make these nails as accesible as possible so others do not have to feel that way. I do giveaways as often as I can and give out free nails as well as hand drawn portraits.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Hello I am Ky. I’m an artist based in the triangle as well as a business owner. I am so passionate about my art, that’s why I started my business KS PharmaCuticles. I consider myself a nail artist as I hand paint intricate designs onto press on nails. I do everything I can to make sure the nails are tip top quality and the designs are as good as they can be. Currently on the website, I have a major sale going on. Making nails started as a passion project but it’s becoming something bigger than that. Everyday I have more eyes on my nails and it is so incredibly exciting. Besides KS PharmaCuticles, I go to SCAD and am pursuing a degree in illustration and painting. Recently, I’ve made a website where I sell prints of my artwork and do custom commissions. I create art daily and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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?
I feel like it is really important to have knowledge on nails and how to create them with longevity in mind. Luckily I have an amazingly talented aunt who is a nail tech and taught me most of what I know, other than her it was a lot of YouTube videos and research. Since I am not a nail technician doing nails on physical people, a lot of the rules don’t apply to my work but they are still good to know in case I branch out. I recommend anyone doing press on nails to fill their brain with as much information on nail care and nail art as they can. Communication and teamwork are also big ones, starting out I wasn’t alone and had a business partner. As time went by we went our separate ways. I feel like that was only able to happen healthily and successfully through good communication. If you are planning on having a team, make sure you all have the same values and feelings on all aspects of the business and if you don’t, work through it as soon as possible. And don’t be afraid to work alone if you don’t have a team! I won’t lie it is a lot of work but I promise you you can do it and it will be rewarding.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My parents have been incredibly supportive of me starting a small business. They have carried around my business cards since the very beginning. My mom has helped me gain clients, my dad has helped me establish myself as a vendor. They’ve even helped me financially. My whole family has pitched in to help me out whether it be supplies, advice, or vending. I am so grateful for my parents and my family as a whole for their continuous support, even through the rough patches of business.

Contact Info:

  • Website: kspharmacuticles.square.site
  • Instagram: kspharmacuticles
  • Facebook: KS PharmaCuticles
  • Youtube: KS PharmaCuticles
  • Other: kysantilliart.square.site

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