Project overview

Over a decade ago, a design professor gave my class advice that stuck: always have a passion project. Something just for you—something that keeps you inspired.

Last winter, despite a full-time job and a busy life, I finally took the leap and launched my own (very girly) e-commerce brand; www.prettygoodnails.com. I wanted to create something completely different from my daily corporate tech work—something lively, feminine, and problem-solving. My problem? Spending too much time and money at the nail salon.

So, I designed the solution: Pretty Good LLC, a luxury press-on nails brand that makes at-home manicures easy, affordable, and fast. From concept to launch, I led every step—market research, product design, branding, prototyping, overseas manufacturing, and e-commerce development. This business has become a blend of everything I love: graphic design, product design, user experience, and sales. But there’s still so much to learn.

Watching Pretty Good sales pop-up nation-wide, & grow on social media has been surreal, but my favorite part? Meeting customers face-to-face at local markets and seeing them fall in love with a product I designed from nothing. I’ve connected with incredible people, and other small businesses along the way. At the heart of Pretty Good is empowering women, inclusivity, & sustainability.

As a bonus, our packaging is all recyclable, and we donate a portion of every purchase to removing ocean-plastic pollution; something deeply personal to me.

Now, as I juggle Pretty Good, my full-time career, and my role as a new mom, I’m reminded of that advice from years ago: it’s all doable. …And I’m having so much fun.