Everyone loves a good nail set. TikTok and Instagram are full of design inspiration and nail artists taking the craft to the next level. From acrylic to gel, sculptured to traditional, squared to coffin tip, there is something for everyone and every occasion.
Those looking to learn the craft and start their journey as a nail tech journey can look no further than Claws by Vee School, Fayetteville’s premier private nail school located at 594 S. Reilly Road.
Owner Verace Granberry started her journey as a nail tech five years ago, expanding from the chair to owning her salon. The school has been open for about 6 months. The 4-month program has already seen success in offering day and night classes and tuition payment plans to accommodate anyone interested in attending no matter the circumstance. Claws by Vee School offers Gel X certification and nail art workshops. Potential students can schedule tours on the school's website at https://clawsbyveeacademy.as.me/schedule.php.
Granberry has always known she wanted to expand far beyond salon ownership. Opening the school was a dream come to fruition, even with some minor changes. Claws by Vee is the first black-owned full-time nail school in Fayetteville, a fact that Granberry was fully aware of when planning her vision for the school and what she wanted it to look like.
“It was tough because I started out with this vision that I wanted a big school. We were originally supposed to be downtown, but it was a lot with construction and engineers, and I just ended up having to turn around and just do a whole different outlook. But it was a good feeling. I have a lot of positive things to say about that more than negative. It’s a really good feeling because [we are ] creating history so this journey has been nothing but great so far and I’m praying that stays that way,” Granberry said.
Her time as a salon owner more than prepared her to start the school, and as an entrepreneur and mom, she knows the importance of support.
“My salon really molded me to be able to work with people, understand the way people think, understand how to respond and not respond. Understand self-control, understand you know that my tone affects people and just understand how to cater to people because we all need each other … My school is more of an intimate place. Is more of a sisterhood … What if they want to create content, or if they want to have their own product line, or they just want to own their own salon? They get to see each aspect. I’ve worked in a salon. I’ve got my own product line. I’ve done a lot of different things so they can learn from somebody who has walked in those footsteps,” she said.
Granberry has also started her own nail product line, including acrylic, nail charms, nail tips, and anything else nail techs need.
“My products are very high-quality. They’re very beginner-friendly for everything from acrylic EMA monomer, nail art, charms, files, nail tips, glue, pretty much everything you need to just start up and start practicing,” she explained.
She hopes to open a storefront soon, but in the meantime, those interested can purchase products at the school during business hours.
As a working mom, Granberry relies on the support of her mother and fiancé to balance the life of owning a nail school and home life. “[I would like to thank] number one, God. My mother, my fiancé, he’s a big help when it comes to our family and our children. Being able to be at the school, holding the house down. My team. I say that all my school-owner friends, all my friends that connect with me and we own schools. We get together and we help solve any problems we might have. We find solutions to help each other.” Granberry said.
The school offers clinical hours Monday-Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. This is an opportunity for students to practice their skills and for the community to get services for a discounted price and help future nail techs. Book an appointment by calling the school at 910-850-5339.