Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Cody.
Hi Dana, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My mother and I opened our first Tippie Toes location inside the USA Flea market in Liberty City, Fl in 2009. At the time we were the first African American Nail salon of its existence we became known for our male-only pedicurist staff, hip hop music streaming constantly and the complimentary happy hour cocktails served every Friday. Tippie Toes set the standard and pace for being more than the average nail salon. It became an experience!
By 2012 we relocated and opened one of the largest Nail Salons on the east coast with a staff of 35. By 2013 we opened our third location in Woodland Hills, CA and by 2015 landed our own reality show titled “Boss Nails” on Oxygen Network. For over a decade, Tippie Toes has become a household name in the nail industry. 2020 CEO Dana Cody relocated to West Africa, Lagos, Nigeria to open the Tippie Toes International Cosmetology Institute.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There has been many obstacles within the years of being in business. Over the years, we have experienced everything from issues with the city for permits etc. to state board for false claims. One of the hardest obstacles has been hiring and keeping qualified staff. Working with people can be difficult, and hiring, training, and getting clients comfortable with staff only for the staff to later quit can become very discouraging. Having the constant competition of pricing and the inflations of products can also cause hardships in the industry.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Tippie Toes?
Tippie Toes is currently an International Cosmetology Institute located in West Africa. We also are West Africa’s leading beauty suppliers from hair supplies to nail supplies. We are also manufactures and suppliers of natural products from Nigeria IE: Shea butter, Vitamin E oil, Batik Fabrics, Unfiltered Honey. Bukunmi Essentials is the latest organic skincare line that has derived from Tippie Toes.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I would advise anyone just starting out to take your time, do proper research on whatever business you are getting into. Make sure whatever business you want to open, you have a passion for it. Stay focused and don’t allow anything or anyone to distract you from your greatness and fulfilling your goals and purpose in life
Pricing:
- 12.00 4oz Shea butter
- 27.00 4oz Unfiltered Honey
- 27.00 20z Vitamin e serum
Contact Info:
- Email: bukunmiessentials@gmail.com
- Website: www.bukunmiessentials.com
- Instagram: @danacodyexperience
- Facebook: danacody
- Twitter: tippietoesmia
- Youtube: danacodyexperience
