Megan Beller, a junior in business from Belleville, said she heard of Yolanda through people from her sorority house and has recommended her to other people.

She does a really good job, Beller said. She is really famous. She started her own business and is really successful.

Since opening in January, Yolanda has gone from two employees to four in six months. Almost half of Yolanda’s clientele are SIUC students and faculty, but a new addition is the abundance of Carbondale businessmen.

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Yolanda said the importance of self-image plays a big part in men seeking manicures, and after getting them to try one they become repeat clients.

You get them in here one time and massage their hands and they get into it, she said.

With a minority of her clients being male, Yolanda’s main business comes from women seeking to cure their lack of attractive nails. With a waiting time of two weeks, clients keep her appointment book full.

Stacey Lingle, an undecided sophomore from Dongola, said she has been getting her nails done by Yolanda since last fall.

Actually, I heard about Yolanda from my boss, but I can’t grow my own (nails), Lingle said. (Acrylic nails) make me look better.

With the abundance of business success in such a short period of time, Yolanda said she wants to cut down her current 11-hour work day and eventually go back to school.

We are always joking we will branch out, she said. That would be the dream, not to have to work as many hours.

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But through all the long hours Yolanda admits, It is all worth it, to work for yourself.