Life & Work with Maggie Stewart

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maggie Stewart.

Hi Maggie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It all started as a teenager in high school when I got my first pedicure. The technician asked if I wanted nail art, I decided to go for it! She put 5 dots on my big toe and it was a flower; “I can do that” I thought to myself. I started doing my own nails after that, I bought nail art brushes from Walgreens and if they were too big I cut them down to the size I wanted; I used anything I could find to play with new nail art techniques bobby pins, paper clips, etc. I was working in a restaurant after high school and a coworker complimented my nails, when I told her I did them myself she suggested I go to school for it. I looked into it and enrolled in school.

After I was licensed in 2013, I worked in a salon for a very short period of time, it wasn’t working out. I left and realized that I always had a dream to work for myself but everyone told me I couldn’t start that way, they told me I had to work for someone else first.

In 2016, I decided not to listen to the doubt of others, I had a dream and I knew I was capable. I found a small room to rent at Salon Concepts in Oakley. A year and a half later still growing my business, I upgraded to a bigger space at Salons By JC in Rookwood. My business was booming!! I was almost exactly where I wanted it to be! Then the pandemic, covid 19 happened, the shutdown. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t allowed to work! It was terrifying honestly. To see everything I build up and to be shut down not knowing when I could work again or what it would do to my business. I fell back onto my hobby of painting!

I taught myself how to paint in 2017 and up until then I only painted for fun. This time I started painting with the intention to sell. I sold all of the paintings I made during the shutdown! I decided I wanted to combine my two passions but couldn’t do that with only 100sqft. Through that, I found the perfect space in Walnut Hills and in February 2021 created Ten Tiny Canvases! A Salon & Art Gallery! The name comes from the fact that I paint ten tiny canvases for a living (fingernails lol) and sometimes large ones. I cannot say that this journey has been incredibly easy but I never lost sight of my dream or my capabilities. Through the ups & downs, it’s been beyond rewarding!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Overall, it has been a smooth road, mainly because I focus more on the successes vs the fails. Every business and entrepreneur has its hiccups but it all has been a learning process that I’ve truly enjoyed even through the most difficult hardships. I’d say my biggest struggle has been learning and figuring out the business side of things. I’m an artist at heart so the art and skills came naturally to me but learning how to run a business added extra challenges.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional nail technician that honors the health of natural nails while helping clients with nail growth and fun nail art! I specialize in long lasting, durable gel manicures with expressive nail art. I am proud that I never gave up on my dreams. I think what sets me apart from others is my character and the quality & integrity of my work.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m always open to collaborations in any way!

Contact Info:

• Email: Tentinycanvasesllc@gmail.com
• Instagram: @tentinycanvases_llc