From Hobby to Hustle: How Park Built SPRK Nails

By Megan Khor, Student Communications Assistant for Student Affairs

What began as a cost-saving hobby for Sophia Park during her sophomore year has since grown into a thriving business. In two years the UNC Charlotte senior has become a well-known nail tech on campus, with over 1,800 followers on TikTok and 5,000 on Instagram. 

Working alongside two team members, Park has earned the nickname “the nail girl” on campus. She can often be found doing her peers’ nails in Atkins Library, offering free sets on campus or vending at pop-up markets around Charlotte.

Park enrolled at the University in fall 2022 as a marketing major and quickly immersed herself in campus life, joining Midas her first semester and working as a photographer and intern for the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA). 

At the time, she regularly visited local salons but grew frustrated with the cost, about $130 per set, with charms priced around $15 each. 

Looking to save money, Park began teaching herself nail art in May 2023, spending six months practicing and refining her skills. After testing her designs on friends, they encouraged her to start her own business, pushing her to officially launch her business, SPRK Nails. 

Finding Her SPRK

While Park had prior experience as a photographer and designer for Midas and VSA, as well as serving as editor-in-chief of the editorial team at Hickory Grove Christian School, starting her own business was a new challenge. 

Park’s first step in launching SPRK Nails was building visibility. She promoted her work through Instagram posts and Charlotte Snapchat stories, drawing interest with detailed designs at prices ranging from $25 to $30 per set. 

“That’s what caught everybody’s attention, it was how cheap everything was,” Park said. 

At first, Park specialized in Gel-X nails, but has since expanded to press-ons. Park said practicing with press-on art helped her “to learn how to work with things differently and gain a lot of new techniques.”

From Monday to Friday, Park does about two to three nail appointments a day and tries to participate in local vendor markets about three times a month on the weekends. The most rewarding part of Park’s work is, she said, conversing with other college students and elevating them through her service as a nail artist.

“Over the past two years, I still have the same clients that I had when I first started doing nails,” Park said. “Just having one-on-one relationships and being able to converse with them is enjoyable because I can relate to a lot of them.” 

Outside of her appointments in the library, Park is often recognized at markets. This includes a Feb. 24 event at Norm’s Vintage Market, one of the local markets Park frequents. 

“At the market, 90 percent of the people who came up to me were like, ‘oh you’re that girl from TikTok!,’” Park said. “It is nice to be recognized. I love complimenting girls and making them feel good.” 

Whenever people approach her booth, Park makes it a point to match nail sets to them based on their personality and what they’re seeking. 

Park credits, along with her friends, her marketing professors and father for playing pivotal roles in this journey. Park’s father owns Viking Washers, a Charlotte-based exterior cleaning business. Whenever she needs advice on certain decisions for her business or how to manage finances for SPRK nails, her dad has consistently supported her. 

Although it was never her plan to start a business herself, Park has always been a side hustle person. 

“If I have a hobby, I might as well make work out of it,” she said. “I probably got that entrepreneurial mindset from him.”

Obstacles Behind the Brand 

Running a business comes with its own set of challenges. For Park, one of these challenges was learning how to balance involving her friends with her business. 

“There have been some tense moments when my friends and I won’t agree on the same thing, or someone I’m relying on won’t be able to execute something properly,” Park said. “When money is involved, it can be really difficult.” 

Over time, Park has learned how to set clearer boundaries and defined responsibilities, and has been able to strengthen both her friendships and business. 

The girls she works with now, Noa Tazza and Jessica Mao, have been enthusiastic additions to her team. When Park first suggested teaching them how to design nails, they quickly embraced the opportunity. Together, they experiment with new techniques and trends, while her social media manager helps shape the brand’s voice online. The group continues to exchange ideas, fine-tuning posts and planning content to keep SPRK Nails growing. 

Another challenge for Park is time management. On top of her busy schedule, balancing classes and finding time for her social life can be hard to do. 

“I get home at around 8 p.m., and I’ll make press-ons till around 3 a.m.,” Park said.

Despite this, Park said she still enjoys the process.

“It doesn’t feel like I’m overworked. Even when I do, I’m passionate about it and still love it,” she said. It feels like therapy when I make press-ons and can just paint and watch a movie.” 

Beyond Student Life

Park graduates this spring and is looking to branch out into influencer marketing through talent agencies. Currently, she works with some local Charlotte influencers, but dreams of being a nail tech for celebrities, ideally one at a runway fashion show. 

As for SPRK Nails, Park intends to expand it over the next five years. Her goal is to someday turn it into a salon that does nails, lashes and more. Ideally, she’d also love to study in South Korea after college to learn more about Korean nail techniques. 

Outside of her nail work, Park enjoys PC gaming and has done some streaming on the side. She intends to stream more again after college, and has the idea of streaming herself playing games with long nails as a way to promote her business.

The rise of SPRK Nails over the past two years, Park said, has come from a willingness to take chances. Instead of waiting for the perfect timing, she believes progress comes with small, imperfect steps, and that following your passions is extremely rewarding.

“Just because things might not work out, you could still start your dream even somewhere like in the library,” Park said. “As long as you have people who can understand the opportunity that has been given to you, might as well just do it. It’s so worth it.”