Books by Day, Nails by Night
Starting a home-based business at a young age is not easy, while also juggling one’s studies, but Ho Xin Yi managed to pick up the tips and tricks to make it work – and thrive.
At 19, when most people are figuring out what’s next for their future, Ho Xin Yi, who recently graduated from ITE Central in Marine and Offshore Technology, is already running her home-based nail studio. She used to juggle school, business, and her social life – there was no stopping her. She has been running the studio for slightly over a year.
It all started with a habit she had left in the past: biting her nails. “I used to always bite my nails,” she said with a laugh. “During the school holidays, I would see my friends show off their manicured nails. I would get jealous because I did not have enough pocket money to get my own done.”
Instead of letting it end there, Xin Yi took matters into her own hands. Something that started off as a simple DIY solution quickly turned into a growing passion for nail art. Now, that small spark has grown into a full-fledged home-based business with a loyal customer base that constantly comes back to her, not only for the cute nail art but also for the experience she creates for them.
Xin Yi began her journey in secondary three at the age of 15. She played around with press-ons – nothing serious, just an on-and-off hobby at first, she shared. But as time went by, she realised she could make an actual business out of this. “I loved doing my nails, and I realised I also liked interacting with other girls and making them feel good.”
That mix of creativity and connection was where the spark first started.
Before establishing a proper business, Xin Yi used her close friends as hand models and did their nails for free. She got better as she did more nails. She gained more confidence and decided to establish a proper business.
Photo credits: @cigs4fternails
Starting a business from home felt like the natural step. “It was really fun at the start – meeting different types of clients, listening to their stories. But I was also super nervous about messing up someone else’s nails,” she admitted.
The real “OMG, this is real” moment started to hit when she earned stable income from her bookings. “That’s when I thought, maybe it’s time for my own studio. This way I could get more privacy and not disturb my family.” Moving into her own studio space at Kaki Bukit was surreal, because she went from a 15-year-old struggling to get the perfect hand-drawn french tips to an 18-year-old setting up her first nail studio. And to add on, she expanded her business and is now a lash technician too.
Photo credits: @cigs4fternails
Of course, it hasn’t been all cute nails and smooth sailing. One of the biggest challenges is marketing. “There are slow months, like when there aren’t any big events. That’s when I try to push more offers like ‘Bring a Friend’ discounts or other promos,” she explained.
Building a business at a young age isn’t easy, as there are moments when doubt hits hard. “Yeah, I cry lah,” Xin Yi said, being real. “But, after that, I just suck it up.” With this tough mentality in mind, it has brought Xin Yi this far.
When it comes to balancing school and business, Xin Yi may have just figured it out. While in ITE, she made wise use of the 24 hours in a day by studying in the morning and afternoon. She focused solely on her nail appointments during the evening and night. Some of her appointments can even be scheduled at 10 pm. But she always made sure to have sufficient sleep. “Sleep is important. If not, I will be grumpy and tired the next day,” she shared.
Photo credits: @cigs4fternails
Running a business on her own changed her views in many aspects and has taught her more about discipline. “I used to always be late for outings with my friends,” Xin Yi admitted. “Now, I realise how disrespectful it is. With all these nail appointments scheduled, I am much more organised with my punctuality.”
From this long journey of building up her business and discovering more about herself along the way, the most valuable lesson she’s learnt is resilience – the quiet strength to keep going even when things get tough.
So, what keeps Xin Yi going during the tough days? Two things – “Money… and my favourite clients,” she said without hesitation, while letting out a laugh. It’s the small interactions and securing money that bring her joy in what she’s doing.
Photo credits: @cigs4fternails
She has big dreams for the future, such as opening a full-fledged salon of her own, maybe even leading a small team. But she isn’t rushing anything. “If it happens, it happens,” she shared. “If it stays the same, also can lah,” she said casually. For Xin Yi, it’s more about staying grounded in what she loves and enjoying the process of the journey.
And if she had to give one advice to younger entrepreneurs, it’s one simple acronym – YOLO. You Only Live Once. “Just do it. Seriously. There’s nothing much to lose.”
“Just do it. Seriously. There’s nothing much to lose.”
While there are so many of us young ones out there overthinking, Xin Yi is proving that you don’t need a 10-step plan. Just some guts and a winner’s mindset. After all, success doesn’t come easy, you just have to nail it one step at a time.
Head to @cigs4fternails on Instagram to find out more about Xin Yi! Yes, and her favourite band is Cigarettes After Sex.