We recently had the chance to connect with tarsha johns and have shared our conversation below.
tarsha, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Tarsha Johns Avent, and I am the owner of NailCandy1122, a nail salon suite located in Perry Hall, Maryland. I’ve been a licensed manicurist for over 31 years and specialize in waterless pedicures with a strong focus on foot health.
What makes my brand unique is that NailCandy1122 isn’t just about nails—it’s about wellness. I am a Certified Master Pedicurist (CMP), and my services are especially designed for diabetic and immune-compromised clients who need safe, hygienic, and professional foot care. I believe that “Feet are the eyes to the soul,” and I educate my clients on the importance of caring for them.
I’m currently working on expanding my business to reach six figures, adding podiatry chairs, an autoclave for medical-grade sterilization, and new retail and digital products. My mission is to provide luxury, safety, and healing all in one space while continuing to scale NailCandy1122 into a second location.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
The people who taught me the most about work were my parents. They showed me by example what it means to work hard, stay committed, and take pride in what you do. My parents didn’t just talk about work ethic—they lived it.
From them I learned discipline, resilience, and the importance of doing things with integrity. That foundation shaped the way I run my business today and how I serve my clients.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me lessons that success never could. Losing my grandmothers was the hardest seasons of my life. Their absence left a deep pain, but it also taught me patience, humility, and faith in ways I never expected.
Through those losses, I learned resilience. I learned to lean on God when nothing else made sense. I gained compassion for others who are grieving and a greater appreciation for the gift of time with loved ones.
Success can make you feel accomplished, but it doesn’t always build character. Suffering showed me the strength I didn’t know I had and helped me cherish every blessing more fully.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the nail industry is that soaking feet in water makes a pedicure better. The truth is, water carries bacteria and increases the risk of infection, especially for diabetic or immune-compromised clients. That’s why I specialize in waterless pedicures—because safety and hygiene should never be compromised for “tradition.”
Another lie is that speed equals skill. Too many techs rush through services to fit more clients in, but real skill shows in quality, attention to detail, and protecting the health of the nails and feet.
And finally, the industry often pushes the idea that it’s just about beauty. The truth is, nails and feet tell a bigger story about a person’s health. Ignoring that reality does a disservice to clients.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I can honestly say I’m doing what I was born to do. For years, I worked in healthcare because that’s what I was told was stable and “made sense.” But when I lost that job, God pushed me into walking fully in my gift.
Doing nails, especially pedicures, has never been “just work” for me. It’s ministry. It’s healing. It’s a calling. I get to touch lives, restore confidence, and protect health—things bigger than polish and pretty toes.
What I was told to do gave me security. What I was born to do gives me purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nailcandy1122.setmore.com/
- Instagram: Nailcandy1122
- Facebook: Nailcandy1122
