McMaster student takes on entrepreneurship

L.A.P Nailz founder Princess Aina-David discusses the ups and down of being a student business owner

Princess Aina-David is a fourth year civil engineering student at McMaster University and the founder of L.A.P Nailz, a Hamilton-based nail service. Aina-David had first picked up nail design as a high school student and founded L.A.P Nailz shortly after completing high school in the summer of 2022.

In an interview with the Silhouette, Aina-David discussed how she learned to manage her business alongside her studies.

“I plan a month ahead, usually. I would incorporate all my study dates, all my tests and exam dates. I always try to incorporate some rest time and then whatever’s left, I put that out for clients to reserve that spot for an appointment. That usually helps me to make sure I’m not missing any deadlines and still have enough rest and just balance everything out,” said Aina-David.

Aina-David explained that even with a clear plan burnout is still a risk.

“Sometimes it can be hard to juggle everything and not get burnt out … but honestly, once I studied my style of getting things done, that obviously got easier over the couple of years.”

Elaborating on her own style of work, Aina-David explained that she can work well under pressure with the right planning. But when the load becomes overwhelming it is truly her passion for the business that keeps her going.

“It’s a different joy that comes from watching something that you started from scratch grow. I think that definitely pushes me a lot. Ever since I was younger, I’ve always wanted to be a point of reference to people around me … just to show that you can really do whatever you put your mind to. Just to inspire other women out there that you really can choose good things for yourself and you really can get outside of your comfort zone and shoot higher for things that you don’t think you’re qualified for.”

Starting a business can be daunting but Aina-David believes that taking the initial risk to start is the most transformative step. Aina-David offered some advice to others looking to start their own business.

“Don’t be scared of failure from the beginning, because even if it fails, at least you started and you have no regrets.”

Aina-David added advice about seizing opportunities.

“I learned over the past few years opportunities don’t wait for you sometimes … a lot of us get really great ideas sometimes, but we usually never carry it out because we’re just trapped in this fear of the unknown … when you don’t do that thing before you know it, somebody else might even hop on that same idea and now it’s too late … you just seize that idea in the moment and just do it. You never really know how far it will take you.”

Aina-David also spotlighted the benefits of risk taking.

“You won’t realize how [many] people are in that same position as you until you start. You think you’re isolated and you think you’re alone, but there’s going to be a lot of people that will back you and there’s going to be a lot of people that will look up to you or help you out in that point of your life once you do start,” she said.

Being a student business owner is not always easy, but Aina-David demonstrates how far persistence, planning and passion can go. For more information about Aina-David’s nail business, L.A.P Naliz, visit her website and Instagram.