Frenchies. Chrome. Polka dots. There are so many nail options to choose from, but who can nail these intricate designs? With this concern in mind, freshman Sabrina Asim started thinking about how she could make a difference. She wanted to create a comfortable space to do nails while making sure people were satisfied with their designs. Five months ago, Asim didn’t know that this passion could turn into something much bigger. 

Doing nails takes a lot of time and money to promote and buy supplies, so it was an all-in decision for Asim. Nonetheless, in the summer of 2025, Asim decided to pursue her aspirations and created Nailed by Sabrina. 

Asim started doing nails at the end of 2024, when the new soft gel extension, often referred to as Gel-X, became popular. She started with a few supplies and practiced designs on her mom and sister. 

“My sister didn’t really like it, so she would bite them off, but my mom was really happy [about me doing nails] because she likes getting her nails done and had a nail salon at home,” Asim said. 

At first, Asim was unsure about offering to do nails on other people, but her mom was supportive and uplifting. 

“My mom was the one who bought me all [of] my stuff, and she was really encouraging about it. She was one of the reasons why I got into it. She was interested and really happy about it,” Asim said.

After more experimenting, Asim started offering her work to close friends, just for fun. Freshman Isabella Hawiger, Asim’s best friend of three years, who was there from the beginning, certainly did not know that this hobby would grow beyond a side project.

“I thought she was doing [nails] for her friends, but then her Instagram started to get really popular, and she started getting [noticed] by a lot of people.”

During the summer months, Asim’s Instagram account started to gain more attention, and her slots started to fill up. 

“Over the summer, I was booked out every week. I had one to two people every single day, usually in the morning. It felt like a lot, but it was really fun for me to meet new people and just do nails. It was really busy having to do nails on two people every day, but eventually I got the hang of it and was faster and more efficient with it, which helped a lot. [It] takes me one to two hours now, rather than four.”

Nailed by Sabrina offers Gel-X and builder gel, but many options come along with it, like size, length, color and designs. 

“For Gel-X nails, I offer builder gel and gel. Gel is a type of polish that you can apply with or without tips. Builder gel creates a protective layer over your natural nails, so they don’t break or peel easily. This is perfect for people not wanting fake tips and [who want] gel on their natural nails. I apply builder gel just like how I would apply normal gel polish, but builder gel is thicker, so it’s easy to make a solid base on the nail. I do Gel-X because it’s easier for me to paint designs on.”

Typically, Asim’s nails stay on for four or five weeks on average, which motivates her supporters to return. In addition, Gel-X nails are typically healthier for nails than traditional nail salons. 

“I used to get acrylic nails, which were super damaging to my natural nails and would break extremely easily. However, since I started seeing [Asim], I’ve switched to Gel-X, which are so much better for my natural nails and much more durable,” sophomore Shannon Higgins said. 

Asim also offers a fill for those who return instead of restarting. 

“If somebody has had their nails on for one to two weeks with fake tips and wants a new design, I remove the polish off so it’s just the tip. Then there is usually space from the cuticle and the tip, and I fill this in with builder gel, so the nail looks as if it’s new,” Asim said. 

The multitude of options attracts a wide customer base across the St. Louis area.

“I’ve had multiple people from different schools find me on my Instagram. It was scary for me for the first time, but [it was] fun for me to get to know them,” Asim said. 

People also like the at-home nail salon ambience, where they can talk freely without feeling like they’re being judged. 

“The vibe with [Asim] is something I never got at a real nail salon, [where] it was always awkward, and I never felt like I could talk to the people working on my nails. With [Asim], I’ve found that we have so much in common, and she’s easy to talk to. Even when we aren’t speaking, it’s not an awkward silence,” Higgins said. 

Balancing a hobby while being a student can be quite challenging at times, but having motivation helps Asim get through it. 

“It is definitely not always easy to manage a hobby while being a student. I have to juggle school, homework and extracurriculars and still make time for my clients. It gets stressful sometimes, but what motivates me is knowing I’m creating something of my own and seeing how happy people are with my work. That makes all the late nights and busy days worth it,” Asim said.