Sara Sawicki

At the age of 15 I was bouncing from specialist to specialist just looking for answers as to why my body hurt so badly and why it came on so suddenly. When I was 16 the doctors agreed on a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, which at the age of 27 is sadly not my only physical disability.

Fast forward to my adult life, I could not hold down a job. With disabilities and a weakened immune system, employers either didn't want to hire me or, after hiring me, looked for reasons to let me go. I lost several jobs due to illness, and one employer even told me during a probationary review that my coworkers thought I was "too girly" for the job — something that couldn't be further from who I am.

In 2013 my nail technician moved away, and I decided it was time to learn how to do my own nails. I quickly realized I was surprisingly good at it and genuinely enjoyed the work. I began doing nails for friends and family, and for the first time found something my body could handle. That's when I knew it was time to get educated.

In September of this year I officially started my own business. I now set my own hours, choose how many clients I see each day, and no longer have to apologize for taking care of my health when needed.

Business is slow, but I live in a small town and everyone starts somewhere. Over the Christmas season, while other salons were fully booked or closed for holidays, I gained new clients and discovered how much I love the fun and creative requests coming my way.

I am forever grateful to Mirage Spa Education for allowing me to learn at my own pace from the comfort of my home. I would never have been able to complete my education without their compassion and flexibility. I am so proud of how far I have come in the last 12 months and excited to see what the future holds as I continue to grow, learn, and expand my skills as a nail technician.