Meet Tiffani Byrum

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tiffani Byrum a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiffani, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I get my resilience from my journey and the challenges I’ve faced along the way. Growing up in Buffalo, NY, and then moving to Georgia for college taught me early on how to adapt and persevere. My time building successful businesses in the corporate world gave me invaluable experience, but stepping out on my own to start Prissy & Polished LLC was a true test of my determination.

There were countless obstacles when I transitioned from the corporate retail world to entrepreneurship, but my passion for nails and education kept me going. I faced setbacks, but each one fueled my drive to succeed even more. I’ve always believed that “Growth requires a challenge, and success doesn’t come easy!” That mindset helped me push through tough times, especially while balancing motherhood and my business ventures.

My resilience is also deeply rooted in my role as a mother. Everything I do is for my son—to build a legacy and ensure he is set for life. Knowing that I am creating a foundation for his future motivates me to keep going, even on the hardest days.

Additionally, my passion for helping others keeps me resilient. Founding Polished Prep Academy and the Polished Prep Foundation wasn’t just about me—it was about empowering the next generation of nail technicians. Knowing that I’m making a difference in people’s lives and creating opportunities drives me to keep pushing forward, no matter what challenges come my way.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am the founder of Polished Prep Academy, a nail school that goes beyond just meeting state board requirements. After spending years in the corporate world and successfully transitioning into the nail industry, I realized that many nail schools were missing something crucial: real-world preparation. I wanted to change that, which is why I became an instructor—to teach my students everything other schools were lacking.

At Polished Prep Academy, we focus on equipping our students not just with technical skills but with the knowledge and business acumen needed to thrive in the modern nail industry. Our curriculum is designed to teach practical techniques, modern trends, and professional development, helping students become confident and skilled nail technicians.

What excites me most about the academy is seeing my students grow, both professionally and personally. I take pride in guiding them from the basics to becoming well-rounded, industry-ready professionals. Whether it’s through our summer camps, advanced career workshops, internship programs, or scholarships through the Polished Prep Foundation, every initiative is designed to set them up for success.

We’re always looking to innovate and expand our offerings. Right now, we’re working on new advanced career training workshops to keep our curriculum current and relevant. Additionally, we are looking to expand to additional locations to reach and support more aspiring nail technicians.

Everything I do with the academy stems from my passion for education and my belief that every student deserves a strong foundation and the skills to thrive. My goal is to continue empowering future nail professionals, equipping them with the tools they need to excel in today’s beauty industry.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back on my journey, three qualities have been most impactful: resilience, adaptability, and passion. These traits not only helped me grow as an entrepreneur and educator but also shaped the vision behind Polished Prep Academy.

1. Resilience: The path to success is never a straight line. I faced many challenges, from navigating the transition from corporate to entrepreneurship to building a nail school from the ground up. Resilience kept me moving forward despite obstacles. My advice? Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn. Cultivate a mindset that sees setbacks as stepping stones rather than roadblocks.

2. Adaptability: The beauty industry—and the world in general—constantly evolves. I had to be adaptable to keep my business relevant and effective. Whether it was updating our curriculum or exploring new ways to engage students, being flexible allowed us to thrive. To develop this skill, I recommend staying curious and open to change. Don’t get stuck in one way of doing things; instead, seek out new knowledge and perspectives.

3. Passion for Education: My passion for teaching and helping others succeed drove me to become an instructor and establish my school Polished Prep Academy. Passion gives you the fuel to keep going, even when things get tough. My advice to others? Find what truly inspires you and let that guide your decisions. When you’re driven by passion, the hard work feels purposeful.

To those just starting out: Believe in your vision, remain flexible in your approach, and never lose your passion for your craft. Invest in yourself, seek mentorship, and never stop learning. That’s how you build something lasting and meaningful.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

The biggest challenge I’m currently facing is building a solid, reliable team and learning to delegate responsibilities effectively. As the founder and driving force behind Polished Prep Academy, I’ve always been hands-on with every aspect of the school—from teaching and curriculum development to operations and marketing. While this dedication has helped shape the academy’s success, it’s also created a situation where I’m stretched thin.

The difficulty lies in letting go of some of the roles I’ve become accustomed to handling myself. It’s hard to entrust others with tasks that I’ve put so much of myself into. However, I realize that for the academy to continue growing and for me to focus on the bigger picture, I need a strong, capable team that shares my vision.

To overcome this, I’m actively working on identifying the right people who align with the academy’s values and have the skills necessary to take on these roles. I’ve been focusing on better recruitment strategies, offering comprehensive training, and creating clear expectations for potential team members. Additionally, I’m working on improving my delegation skills—being intentional about handing off tasks while providing the right level of guidance without micromanaging.

I’m also making an effort to build a supportive and positive work environment where team members feel valued and motivated. By fostering a culture of collaboration and open communication, I aim to empower my staff to take initiative and bring fresh ideas to the table.

It’s a work in progress, but I’m committed to building a team that can help take Polished Prep Academy to new heights, allowing me to focus on strategic growth and expansion.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your