Enterprising students offer their own small businesses while also studying for their degrees. One such business is Klawz By Mo, which offers nail services.
Monajia Medlin, a fall graduate now studying for a master of business administration, is the proud owner of Klawz By Mo, which she started in high school.
“I started doing nails as a hobby. I’ve always had interest in cosmetology, I tried hair, but it wasn’t my favorite, so I tried nails and discovered I liked it better,” Medlin says.
She is stationed at Brownell Hall as she is a resident adviser and desk attendant.
When she is not on campus, she continues to do nails at her home in Hartford.
With these commitments, she has had to organize her life in order to create a working balance.
“Juggling school and business is very hard. I manage it by keeping my daily activities organized. I use a calendar and booking site for my business and a planner for my academics. I manage my time wisely and plan my duties accordingly,” Medlin says.
The services she offers are manicures, acrylics, nail repair and freestyles.
This company has become a lucrative side business for Medlin.
“My business has grown a lot in terms of clientele and techniques. I’ve been servicing different and more clients along with digging deeper into my creative side with nail art,” Medlin says.
The only media coverage the nail business has had is clients reposting their designs, which boosted her social media page and booking website.
The social media page boasts 510 followers and almost 100,000 video views. On TikTok, Medlin’s personal account, where she shares her business currently, has 362 followers and 3,668 likes.
Every month Medlin offers deals that slice nail prices in half, which has resulting in increasing clients, Medlin says.
She has a loyal customer base on campus even in a sea filled with so many nail stylists. She not only caters to students, but also a mix with off-campus people.
Graduate student Anaius Johnson is a regular client of Klawz By Mo.
“Mo and I started off as coworkers last year, both staying in our own lane, then eventually started talking more. I like to get my nails done and feel me, why not support a young Black business,” Johnson says.
Business management Brenea Pagan, a junior, is a client of Klawz By Mo since her first year of college.
“I don’t go as often, but I have been going since my freshman year,” Pagan says. “I found her through my other friend. I got a referral.”
Now maintaining this business is costly and can be a burden as a college student.
“Financially it is because I am limited to how many hours I put into my business due to the fact that I have two other jobs and studies,” Medlin says.
Medlin has big plans for Klawz By Mo after graduating college.
“Klawz By Mo’s future image will be converting into a one-stop shop named M3W, where you can get everything done—hair, nails, makeup, facials, waxes and more with all Black, educated women employees. There will also be a connection to an auto body shop where you can get car services done while you get yourself care services done at the same time. Exciting plans are coming,” Medlin says.
The reason for the inclusion of the car services is to use her high school knowledge of the automotive industry in which she has a background in due to attending a trade school.
On top of all of this she is striving to get documentation to become a legally recognized business owner the state.
“I plan to go to cosmetology school to get licensed and work towards opening my own school after graduation,” Medlin says.
