ORANGE — Danalynn Stockwood knows something about customer loyalty.
The state licensed nail technician rented a booth in a Fitchburg salon for 10 years. Now, she said all but one followed her when she opened her own space in the Orange Innovation Center in September. Stockwood operates Fun Fancy Nails in Suite 329 of the innovation center and has marveled at clients’ commitment to her.
“It was quite surprising, because I actually didn’t think they’d haul this way, but they do,” she said of roughly 25 carry-over clients, some of whom live in Lancaster. “It’s going great. My clientele has been totally loyal and I’m gaining new clients, which is awesome. … Word of mouth has been a great source of advertisement.”
Stockwood’s first day in business was Sept. 22. The married mother of four does manicures, pedicures and acrylic enhancements.
“I always loved doing nails, ever since I can remember,” she said in her suite on Tuesday, while waiting for her 1 p.m. appointment to arrive. “I love art in general and to be able to express … some kind of design on a small medium. It’s really exciting to see people be excited about your work.
“My favorite thing is seeing the satisfaction of a client … once the work is done,” she added.
Stockwood’s studio consists of, among other trade tools, a nail table, a pedicure chair and roughly 600 gel polishes and enamels.
OIC Development Director Brianna Drohen said Fun Fancy Nails perfectly fits in with the innovation center’s goal of creating a cohesive network of professionals and artists under one roof.
“When Danalynn came to me about opening a nail salon, I couldn’t have been happier as we are always on the search for fun, creative services that will bring people to the building,” she said in an email to The Recorder. “Fun Fancy Nails is more than a nail salon, Danalynn builds relationships with her clients and her professional portfolio shows the level of her experience and ability. She truly is an artist.”
Stockwood, who lives in Athol, has worked as a nail technician since 2006, when she graduated from Rob Roy Academy in Worcester. Before that, she was an administrative assistant for a school system in Fitchburg.
“A lot of people just think that it’s sitting at a nail table, but there’s so much more involved in being a nail tech,” she said. “I’ve very selective in regards to how I do things. I do things how I learned them in school, and I stick with that.
“It’s my integrity on the line, so I’m very adamant about my clients knowing that I’m clean, that everything’s properly disinfected,” she added.
Stockwood is fresh off organizing the Massachusetts Nail Networking Expo, which was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Leominster from Oct. 22 to Oct. 24. She said 20 vendors came and “a whole boatload of classes” were offered on the first and final days. Stockwood said she began organizing the event in May.
Fun Fancy Nails is open from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays and as much as her schedule demands on Saturdays. She also occasionally works Wednesday nights.
Stockwood is also an “Essie educator” and performs demonstrations at beauty supply stores.
You can reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 258. On Twitter: @DomenicPoli