Interview with Elizabeth Anne | Sunshine Sessions
Hi, Polished People! Today, in another Sunshine Sessions interview, we're chatting with Elizabeth Anne, a well-known YouTuber in the nail art/polish and beauty community. Let's get right to it!
Image: @theelizabethanne on Instagram
Good morning, Elizabeth! I’m so happy to have you here on our digital talk show. Here’s a virtual armchair and a virtual mug. Let’s get started with some biz questions.When did you first dream up your YouTube channel?
I started my YouTube channel in 2014 as a fifteen-year-old freshman in high school. I had always loved watching CutePolish [on YouTube] create amazing nail art designs and I wanted to try it for myself!
CutePolish was my first inspiration too! Sandi inspired so many of us nail artists. So, what inspired you to start this business?
Sandi from CutePolish was the original inspiration for me. I loved watching her tutorials and, every time she posted a new video, I would rush to create it on my nails. Later, I had ideas for nail art that she hadn’t done on her channel, and decided to start my own channel!
So cool. What’s the story behind the name of your brand?
My username was originally ‘eabnailart’ because I started out originally doing only nail art. I later expanded my content to creating swatch videos and reviews of other products not related to nails or nail art, and wanted to change my username to just my name, Elizabeth Anne.
That's awesome. What’s your favorite video/piece of content you’ve ever created?
That is such a hard question! I think it would have to be the Taylor Swift-inspired nails I created last year. I am a big Taylor Swift fan and I was really happy with the overall result!
Yes, that mani turned out so cool! What are your favorite things about your brand?
I love that I am able to have a platform to showcase my hobby. I got into nails because I hated feeling bored, and polishing my nails always provided me with something to do. I have gotten busier as I have gotten older, but I still always find time for nails, as it has become one of the biggest parts of my life.
That's awesome. Have you always been in the nails/beauty industry?
I first started painting my nails by myself when I was four years old, but I wouldn’t say that I was always in this industry. It wasn’t until 2014 that I really developed my passion for creating.
Image: @theelizabethanne on Instagram
Nice. What was the biggest milestone in your entrepreneurship journey?
Perhaps one of the most exciting things to ever happen in my life was to be discovered by CutePolish herself! I have been given the incredible opportunity to create nail art videos for the CutePolish Facebook page. I have idolized Sandi since I was twelve years old, so to even have her know who I am was amazing in itself. Then to find out she wanted me to create videos for her was the icing on the cake. It is a complete full-circle moment and I feel so lucky!
Wow! That's amazing! Now, let's move on to some more personal questions. What’s your favorite color to wear on your nails?
I always love a good pastel blue! I feel like it is a perfect color that you can wear all year long regardless of the season! A great pick for me would be Zoya "Blu."
Good choice! What is your favorite nail art trend right now?
I didn’t think I liked it until I tried it on my own nails, but the cow print trend! They are so simple to create but I think they look so chic!
Yes, that's such a fun design. I haven't tried it yet; maybe I will soon. So, what is your favorite thing to do as a YouTuber?
I love taking risks with my content. I have tried making several different types of videos and different formats and it is so fun to see what does well and what doesn’t. It really helps when I know what works to keep making content that people enjoy! I also LOVE reading and responding to every comment on my videos. It is the best getting to interact with the people that watch my videos!
Awesome. If you had to choose one nail polish or makeup product to be stranded on an island with, what would it be?
That’s a tough one! I’d probably have to say OPI Nail Envy because it is great at protecting your natural nails. I would feel confident that once I was rescued my nails would still be in tip-top shape!
Good plan! What is your favorite thing about being an entrepreneur?
I love that I can look at everything that I have created, whether it be a video [or another piece of content], and I can say that I did it all on my own. I have never had help with editing or production. It has just been me the whole time.
That's a great accomplishment. Last question. What advice would you give to someone who’s interested in starting a YouTube channel or becoming a nail artist?
Start! It is never too late to go for it! What started as a small hobby for me turned into one of the biggest parts of my life. You never know where your dreams can take you, but it starts with that first step. You don’t need a fancy camera or perfect lighting to start off with. No one has everything they need right away, and I am still learning how to improve every day!
Excellent advice! Thank you for visiting us at Sunshine Sessions, Elizabeth!
Image: @theelizabethanne on Instagram
This was yet another great interview. Elizabeth was, in fact, one of the first nail art/polish YouTubers I started watching when I was starting out in this industry, so this was such a cool full-circle moment. I hope you enjoyed reading our chat!
Have a polished rest of your day and be well,