‘Boss Nails’ star: The world at her fingertips
Make an appointment to watch the newest reality show in town: Premiering 9 p.m. Tuesday on Oxygen, Boss Nails follows Dana Cody, the sassy, no-nonsense owner of TippieToes Beauty Lounge, located inside the Northside Shopping Center, 7900 NW 27th Ave., near Hialeah. Real Housewives of New York City watchers may recall Cody (who also has a spot in Los Angeles) from her appearance on the Bravo reality show last year. The Miami native who graduated from Carol City High School, Class of ’06, married Aviva Drescher’s feisty father, recurring RHONYC cast member George Teichner, a year ago. We talked to Cody about her turn in the spotlight:
When did you get started in the nail business?
I truly believe I was born to be a nail tech. I practically came out of the womb doing nails! In 2007, I was only 18 when my mother and I opened Tippie Toes in Miami.
How are local clients different from the ones in Los Angeles?
Miami clients love bling and extravagant things. The more dramatic, the better and the more artistic, the better. Women here are trendsetters and are willing to try any design in any color, and they always rock it! I’ve found that my L.A. clients are really into natural and gel manicures. Others are into abstract designs, but the majority of those are my VIPs who work in entertainment, so they prefer to have unique looks and original styles. I will say that both the east and west coasts love our signature nail design Treasure Nails — which consists of between 75 and 100 Swarovski crystals embedded into the acrylic.
Can you explain the show?
Boss Nails is about the ins and outs of running my salon, which was left to me by my beloved late mother Angela Page, who passed away in 2011 from leukemia. We show a lot of original nail art and some very colorful personalities. You will meet my staff, who are a mix of biological family members and others who are still considered family because we’re at work more than at our homes. Everyone knows that all families have some sort of drama, but more importantly, we show the truth about what it takes to be me — a 27-year-old nail tech — and witness the trials and tribulations one goes through trying to reach success.
Who else costars with you? Any “Real Housewives” make cameos?
This season viewers will be introduced to my amazing and sassy younger cousin Paige; my brother-from-another-mother, Rod; Ms. Kareen, the manager and the “mama” of the shop; and Yaya, my sister-in-law. Other members of the team include an up-and-coming amazing nail tech and makeup artist Doneita; a talented nail tech D’Marie; Ms. Amber, who is hands down one the most amazing talents I’ve ever seen; and last but not least, the one and only Nuni Torres, who has more than 250,000 Instagram followers because of his work. No Real Housewives will make appearances, but you never know, maybe Aviva and I will open a Tippie Toes in NYC together. I could only imagine what that would be like. Insane! But in a good way, though.
We heard you offer a manicure that costs $10,000? Can you describe it?
It’s not a manicure or a polish; it’s customized jewelry nails, which is a major process. We make a mold to your nail bed and you can design the nail yourself using 14K gold, sterling silver, rose gold or platinum with real precious gems — diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, pearls. This process has been patented and trademarked. I partnered with a jeweler, and they are made to order and can be insured.
What is a typical day like for you?
I go to the gym with George at 8 a.m. Then I hit the sauna, grab breakfast and head off to Tippie Toes. We are open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. I also often have business meetings or I go to the supply store — we service about 75 to 100 clients daily, so I always have to keep inventory stocked. Whenever I’m in the salon, you can find me on the floor. I will either be cleaning, doing manicures, or teaching my staff. At the end of the day, I have to close up, complete the payroll, and then I head home to either cook dinner for George and myself or we go out. We love Prime 112…one of our favorites.
MADELEINE MARR
This story was originally published August 10, 2015 at 4:51 PM with the headline "‘Boss Nails’ star: The world at her fingertips."