Meet Lauren Grandberry | Nail tech & Event Coordinator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Grandberry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I didn’t have a thought process. My business just came to me. It started with the shut down during the covid outbreak. I NEEDED my nails done! I was always known to have them done. My boyfriend at the time just moved in and I wasn’t feeling my best. When I was in high school I would always assist my older cousin with her nail clients. So when the world shut down I decided to buy everything I seen on her table and attempt to do my own nails. They came out pretty good for a “beginner” so I posted it. Kinda like “look what I did!” And the clients started FALLING in. I was the only girl on the east side of Detroit doing nails. And even though I had NEVER done nails before those ladies trusted me with their hands. Word of mouth got out and next thing you know, I had a living room full of clients, DURING COVID! Insane. I know. lol. A lot of people were trusting but some weren’t as much. People would request to see my work. Me being the semi-perfectionist I am I didn’t want to just post it. I wanted to create a “nails by” page. At the time I was also getting ALOT of hate for doing nails because it wasn’t really my lane at the time. I was more of a hairstylist. But because I was the only person doing nails a lot of peoples “loyal clients” were coming to me. And it caused some tension on relationships to say the least. So me being the petty Betty I am, I wanted to come up with a witty name to make a statement that “I DO WHAT I WANT!” So my boyfriend at the time, my cousin, and I sat in the living room wrecking our brains to figure out a good name. “The client snatcher!” “Covid nail tech!” Finally someone said “The Nail Banditt” and it click! From there QueenBanditt was birthed along with BandittBiz LLC. and it’s been up since there!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
After my first year of being The Nail Banditt, I wanted to celebrate! I directed my first promo photoshoot with other models as the center. But I’m all about helping others! During this year I also recorded my first song! So I decided to throw a Pop Up Shop Party ! I performed my song for every one. I had 8 small businesses in there making money! I sold Banditt merch! It was a great time. But I didn’t think that was enough! And it didn’t fall in line with nails enough for me. So the next year, to celebrate, I put together the first Banditt Nailversary Fashion Show. BY MYSELF! I looked for the venue, models, performers, designed the models, did all their nails, choreographed the walks, hired everybody and paid everybody out my pocket! (Wouldn’t do that again! Lol) that year was super stressful and expensive! But the idea was GREAT! I just had to do it differently! I needed HELP! Something I’m STILL learning to ask for. But the second Nailversary Fashion was a little smoother. By time I got to the third one, this year, I had learned so much. Ask for help! Network! Find sponsorship! Plan! Follow your plan! The Nailversary Fashion Show was created to showcase me, my music, and art work. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. Because it has since grown into something bigger. It’s a show that empowers women! MOST of the models that have modeled for me, have never modeled EVER! And now they have content to add to their portfolio. It a platform for Detroit artist to get their feet wet and perform their art in front of a nice sized audience! The show has grown to be wayyy bigger then me! And I’m honored to be able to give this back to the city I grew up in. I’ve thrown 5 events of my own and I’ve worked with others on theirs. Five years ago if you would’ve asked me where I would be I would’ve never said doing nails and creating events. But our creator has their own plan for us right.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my bestie came to town, we wouldn’t stay in the city the whole time. My favorite brunch spot BlindOwl in Royal Oak, lunch is Kona Grill in Troy, and Dinner would be District 78 in Detroit. We would probably at Love & Tequila one night or Annex. We would probably fine something cutesy to do like wine tasting or whatever is new and popping at the time. We ofcourse would hang out with our other friends. We really love a good living room party amongst ourselves. lol we’re the real party and we don’t need to pay for parking, entry fees, wear heels, etc to have a good time. Sometimes just a few drinks and good home cooked meal from one of us sets the perfect tone with some good music.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shout out my parents! My dad is my ear and my mom is my reality! My friend group “The Golden Girls” I love my girls real bad! My CLIENTS! And lastly my social media supporters!!

Website: HTTPS://thenailbanditt.as.me

Instagram: @QueenBanditt__