Monika Amunyela
The hum of a nail drill and dramatic chatter fill a studio tucked away in Otjomuise as 23-year-old student Hilya Nangolo, better known as ‘Nails by Maano’ does what she loves most, beautifying nails.
Originally from Endola village in the Ohangwena region, Nangolo’s story started as a simple hobby she picked up in high school, which has now grown into a small business that not only supports her financially but also evolves her creativity.
“I realised I had a real talent for it, and people started asking me to do their nails. I saw an opportunity to turn my passion into a business doing something I enjoy,” she says with a smile.
Nangolo started her business officially in 2022, naming it Nails by Maano. For Nangolo, nail artistry is not just about the beauty of doing nails, she also sees it as a form of expression and draws peace from it.
“Doing nails helps me stay focused and calm, it’s like therapy for me. When I’m doing nails, I feel relaxed and in my zone.”
She manages her “zone” carefully by balancing her growing clientele and her studies. She is currently in her fourth year of Media Studies at the University of Namibia (Unam). “It’s all about time management. I set a schedule that works around school, so I can keep up with both without getting overwhelmed.”
Unlike many in the beauty industry who start with formal training, Nangolo is self-taught, from YouTube tutorials to practising on herself and friends. She learned everything through trial and error.
“I started with basic designs and slowly moved on to more complex ones as I gained confidence. I also kept experimenting and learning from mistakes, which helped me improve over time.”
She recalls spending hours perfecting shapes, lines, and polish, as I took a lot of patience and time to learn the basics.
Nangolo began with limited resources and hope, but she used what she had.
“I started with friends and family, offering to do their nails for free or at a discount. Word spread, and from there, I began getting more clients.”
Her business has grown over time, from doing nails at home for friends to now having a loyal base of regular customers. Nails by Maano is slowly becoming a household name for women in Windhoek.
The most rewarding part of the journey for Nangolo hasn’t just been financial independence, it’s also the confidence she has gained from being able to make a living out of something she loves and from clientele feedback, whether good or bad.
“I’ve learned that I’m a lot more resilient and adaptable than I thought. Starting and growing my business required a lot of flexibility and problem-solving, which helped me grow as a person and a professional.”
She encourages other young people hoping to start their own small business to start small and be patient.
“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Building something successful takes time, and it’s okay to learn as you go.”
She also reminds young business enthusiasts that passion often matters more than resources, it requires dedication and putting in much work, even on days when it feels hard to go forward.
Nangolo, for one, draws from her customers’ joy when things get hard.
“The thought of my clients’ smiles and knowing that I’m building something I care about keeps me going, even when things get tough,” she says.
Nangolo also spoke to her younger self, offering a few words of encouragement.
“I’d tell myself to stop doubting my abilities and trust the process. Things won’t always go smoothly, but everything happens for a reason.”
Her long-term goal is to grow Nails by Maano into a full-fledged beauty hub, adding services such as lashes, facials, and massages, providing her clients with a full experience of care and tranquillity.
“I want to offer more ways for them to relax and feel pampered and expanding my services will keep things exciting and allow me to grow even more in the beauty industry.”
– mamunyela@nepc.com.na