Portland nail artist blazes a trail to success

Contact information:

Niah Peal-Donaldson – 971-319-5454 or [email protected]

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Portland nail artist blazes a trail to success;

Niah Peal-Donaldson, a student in the B.L.A.Z.E. entrepreneurship program, opens nail art business in Portland

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Feb. 20, 2023 (PORTLAND, OREGON) -- Niah Peal-Donaldson is ready to take the nail world by storm.

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An entrepreneur and nail artist, Peal-Donaldson will hold a grand opening of her new nail business, Koated Acrylix, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Feb. 23. The station is located inside L&M Hair Salon at 1010 S.E. 96th Ave. in Portland.

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Peal-Donaldson first fell in love with nail art while doing her nails as a young girl. In February 2022, she decided it was me to turn her talent as a nail artist into a business. She enrolled in a nail technician program and then went on to wow a selection committee team with a video pitch that earned her a spot in the first cohort of students in the Building Leaders and Zealous Entrepreneurs program. More commonly known as B.L.A.Z.E, the 12-month program empowers young adult entrepreneurs ages 18-25 looking to take a business from idea to reality. The program was launched in 2023 through a partnership between Micro Enterprise Services or Oregon (MESO) and Brown and Carter Management Group (BCMG).

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With support from B.L.A.Z.E, Peal-Donaldson registered her business, created marketing and business plans, established a brand for her business, and conducted product testing. As she has worked toward opening Koated Acrylix, she has also received support and encouragement from Melody Brown, the owner of L&M Hair Studio. Brown, who has a reputation as one of the Portland metro area's leading women entrepreneurs, was the Oregon/Southwest Washington winner of KeyBank’s 2023 Key4Women Business Pitch Contest.?

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Opening a new business can be nerve-wracking, but Peal-Donaldson is confident about the launch. She is excited for people to wear the art she has created and leave her station feeling empowered and beautiful. Nails are only the beginning, however. In five years, she sees herself traveling and teaching others about nail art and what’s involved. In addition to that, she plans to expand her talents by becoming an esthetician. Eventually, she would like to open her own shop and cosmetology school. Her hope and driving force are for people to recognize her talent and brand on sight.

“I am most excited about showcasing my talent as I love being creative, and I am passionate about creating nails," Peal-Donaldson said.

Koated Acrylix hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. For more information or to book an appointment, visit https://www.koatedacrylix.com or call 971-319-5454. Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest: @koatedacrylix.

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ABOUT BROWN AND CARTER MANAGEMENT GROUP (BCMG)

Brown and Carter Management Group (BCMG) is a family-owned and operated business founded in 2018 to help marginalized communities start, grow, and expand their businesses. In addition to a depth of experience in property assistance, BCMG offers a comprehensive suite of business support services, including business plan development, pro forma analysis, project oversight, social engagement, marketing, and branding. To learn more about BCMG and the services it provides, visit the firm’s website at htps://www.brownandcarter.com

ABOUT MESO

Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) elevates and empowers under-resourced and excluded entrepreneurs to build resilience, equity, and thriving communities through access to capital, tailored business assistance, and education. Founded in 2005 to assist Black-owned small businesses that were experiencing challenges in the wake of gentrification in North and Northeast Portland, the nonprofit now serves more than 600 entrepreneurs and small businesses in Oregon and Southwest Washington each year. MESO is a designated SBA microlender, an IDA fiduciary, and a Certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). To learn more about MESO, visit the organization’s website at https://mesopdx.org