Rea Francesca Amano Pallay
January 2026
Small Wins, Big Dreams:
How Tiki Hut Nails Grew from One Set at a Time
T’Kira McFarlane started Tiki Hut Nails with the belief that if no one else could create the dream nail sets she imagined, then she could learn to do them herself. What began as a personal experiment on her own nails has now transformed into what Tiki Hut Nails is today: a full-time business built on creativity, community, and a lot of self-belief.
As a certified nail technician, McFarlane spends her days designing detailed, personalized sets for clients. However, before she ever picked up nails professionally, she spent two years visiting several nail technicians, only to have her ideas continually rejected. “I would seek out other nail techs to do those intricate designs, but everyone just kept saying no,” she says. Eventually, she thought, “You know what? I can probably do this myself.”
Once McFarlane started doing her own nails, the people around her began to recognize her talent. Friends saw her designs and began asking her to do their nails too. That attention marked the beginning of her journey from client to creator, and eventually led to her running Tiki Hit Nails on a full-time basis.
Even though her work looks effortless now, learning on her own was not as easy as it looked online. “I thought that it was a lot easier looking at other people do it,” McFarlane says. When she tried it herself, she quickly realized “it actually does take a lot of skill and a lot [...] of patience.”
Like many new entrepreneurs, she also had to deal with uncertainty and imposter syndrome. At first, she wasn’t overwhelmed, and it was hard for her to see herself as a successful nail technician. “You’re alone, you’re not that good, so no one really wants to come to you,” she explains. Still, she kept on going, pushing forward to see a future she could potentially have. Over time, she learned to celebrate the small wins: getting certified, taking that first client, and improving with every set she completed.
Three years ago, McFarlane earned her certification in acrylic application from Empress Nails (IG @empressstudioyeg and @officialempressacademy), a local nail technician whom she admired. Getting certified opened practical doors for her, such as being able to purchase professional products from supply stores in Edmonton. It also altered her perspective on the technical aspects of nails. Initially, she primarily focused on the designs, but her training enabled her to appreciate the importance of structure and foundation.
She also looked for guidance beyond the classroom. Empress Nails became a mentor, offering advice on technique, business, and professionalism. McFarlane regularly asked her questions, such as, “What do you do in this situation?” and asked her to review her work. She also reached out to other nail technicians she admired, such as Camila in Calgary (IG @camiinailedit), who is now recognized as a press-on nail influencer. “I would just DM them and, you know, ask them for advice,” she says. Being able to learn from others, whether in person or online, has become part of how she continues to grow.
When asked to describe her style, McFarlane chooses three words: expressive, fun, and free. She doesn’t limit herself to a single aesthetic. Instead, she focuses on capturing each client’s personality. Often, clients bring her a mood board or nail inspiration. At other times, she asks for something more personal: a dress they love, constellations, or any image or theme that holds meaning for them. “I don’t think I necessarily have one set style,” she explains. “My style is kind of however I can best express my client’s personality.” She works with acrylic, polygel, gel, and Gel-X, blending her certificate training with self-taught techniques and ongoing courses. For her, formal skills and independent learning go hand in hand.
While McFarlane enjoys the art of doing nails, her favourite part of the job is the time spent with clients. Appointments often turn into meaningful conversations. “I can also be a safe space for my clients to vent and get things off their chest,” she says. She wants people to leave the studio feeling a bit lighter, not just with a fresh set but with a better outlook on their day.
One moment that stands out to her is her third business anniversary, which also served as a client appreciation event. Clients came to celebrate, bringing small gifts and handwritten letters. Seeing the community she had built around Tiki Hut Nails made a lasting impact. “It just pushes me to strive a little bit harder and more,” she says, “because of my clients.”
In a city full of talented nail artists, McFarlane sees her willingness to “step outside of the box” as one of the things that makes her stand out. She often takes on styles that are less common and not “everyday” nails. Beyond creativity, she emphasizes professionalism, including how she welcomes clients, treats them, and goes the extra mile to ensure they feel valued.
Her long-term goals reflect that ambition. She dreams of expanding Tiki Hut Nails into a larger storefront and taking her artistry into new spaces, like editorial photo shoots, magazine spreads, music videos, and red-carpet events. Doing nails in those kinds of environments is a “big dream” she keeps in view as she continues to grow her business.
For anyone interested in becoming a self-taught nail artist or pursuing certification, McFarlane is honest about the emotional side. “Not everyone is going to support you or see your vision or understand what you’re doing,” she says. Her advice is first to build a strong sense of self-confidence. Motivation comes and goes, but that self-belief is what keeps you pushing through slow seasons and long days.
She also encourages people to celebrate every milestone, no matter how small: booking your first client, getting certified, or simply finishing a set that used to feel impossible. At the same time, she is open about the realities of burnout as a full-time entrepreneur. In addition to doing nails, she handles accounting, cleaning, social media, and other tasks.
Sometimes, she says, it’s hard to separate herself from her business and remember she is a person outside of work. Allowing herself “lazy days” or “nothing days” has become a meaningful way to recharge. As she puts it, health is indeed a kind of wealth, and taking breaks is part of sustaining her passion, not a sign of failure.
McFarlane may still be early in her journey, but through Tiki Hut Nails, she has already created more than a business. She has built a space where creativity, courage, and community meet: one detailed set at a time.
This article was published with the permission of the interviewee.
All photos featuring nail sets were provided by and used with permission from T’Kira McFarlane.