Mother of three launches own heavenly business

Tinika Amison realizes that if she is going to help people, the first step must literally be her own.

The 33-year-old single mom of three children who lives in Naperville launched a new mobile nail spa business earlier this year known as Angel Feet. It's an at-home nail service that Amison said focuses on serving those "who are not able to get out and enjoy the pleasures of receiving nail care.

"My goal is to cater to those in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, expectant mothers and others who are not able to be completely mobile," she said.

The business idea was launched by Amison and a friend she said "seemed to have been sent to her from heaven." When the pair brainstormed ideas for the new business, she wanted the heavenly angle to be a part of the name.

"I made up my mind to do this and actually earned my license in just three months," Amison said. "A lot of my family is amazed that I actually went ahead and started this business on my own, but I did, despite the other things I have going in my life."

Besides mothering three children ages 8 to 14, Amison is also attending classes in between nail appointments. She tries to schedule appointments around her children's schedule and her course work in order to make sure everything meshes together.

Amison's list of full-service options includes manicures, exfoliation, pedicures, sea salt scrubs, eyelash extensions and more. Since launching the business in January, clients have run the gambit from those holding "spa parties" to the elderly.

Serving seniors, she said, is something that takes a different mindset but one that for her comes naturally.

"I have a number of elderly people in my family as well as a grandmother that I spent a lot of time with, and whenever I do a manicure or pedicure, there's conversation," Amison said. "I always feel when I come away from those types of experiences, I learn something. I'm hoping that through word of mouth, more people will come to know what it is I want to do."

Amison said taking care of others by offering to service their feet seems almost biblical.

"Christ washed the feet of his disciples, and while I began this business in order to support myself and children, I know what it's like for people who can't get out or are too tired or sick to travel," she said. "If someone can't raise a leg for whatever reason, I'm happy to do a manicure instead. To me, it's all about making someone feel good and maybe just jump starting their day and hopefully feeling better."

Visit www.angelfeetmobile.vpweb.com .