Nail stylist to the stars Bernadette Thompson has her own nail polish line that is thriving and expanding. Bernadette Thompson Nail Care and Color brand has been an instant success. Thompson?s clients include Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Madonna, Julia Roberts, Madonna, Charlize Theron, Uma Thurman, Iman, Sting, Puffy, Sara Jessica Parker.? As a nail stylist, she has also worked on fashion shoots, music videos and advertisements while looking for ways to market her Bernadette Thompson Nail Care and Color line.
TNJ.com: Was it hard to breaking in the nail business as a Black-owned company?
Bernadette Thompson: You already know the answer, but I will answer anyway. YES!? I say “yes” because my company was the first Black-owned nail company in the history of the U.S. It is always harder when you?re the one to break the stereotype. For me, the hardest part was convincing other Black people that my product was just as good, if not better than white-owned nail companies.
TNJ.com: Why did you launch the company?
BT: I had been a spokesperson for several brands, (created colors and ideas for most brands out here today) but no one would give me a contract. I was good enough to mention their brand in exchange for free products but not good enough to invest in contractually.
TNJ.com: How have you been able to attract customers, espcially the celebrity clients?
BT: I am still a celebrity manicurist. I work hands on with celebs and all magazine publications worldwide.
TNJ.com: Where can people buy your products?
BT: They can buy at ?bernadettethompson .com for now. On September 15th, we will be launching the ?where to buy? page listing for salons and stores across the US, Canada and Japan. Starting October 1st, I will be launching a nail art kit in collaboration with an artist album launch. It will be available for pre-order on my website on September 20th.
