Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Stokes.
Hi Jordan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
People often see Holy City Nails and think they see the finished product. They see the business, the creativity, and the success. What they don’t see is the woman I had to become before any of this could exist.
There was a time when I was searching for purpose, trying to understand who I was and whether I even belonged. At the time, I didn’t fully know God the way I do now. I was simply taking steps forward, believing there had to be something greater for my life, even if I was blindly walking through it.
Looking back, I can see that God wasn’t miraculously changing me overnight. He was revealing the parts of me that needed to be broken, healed, and rebuilt. Every hardship exposed something I had to confront, and every lesson gave me the choice to either stay the same or grow. I had to want to put those broken pieces back together. I had to choose healing. God never stopped guiding me through the process, even when I didn’t realize He was the One opening the doors.
Building this business became more than just learning a craft—it became a journey of rebuilding myself. Understanding who I was. Where I stood. Every setback forced me to grow. Every mistake taught me resilience. Every client, whether good or difficult, reminded me that I had something meaningful to offer.
The hardest part wasn’t learning how to run a business. The hardest part was choosing to become someone capable of building one. Loving myself wasn’t something that happened overnight—it was a decision, a choice I had to make over and over again. Along the way, I learned that my worth was never something I had to earn—it was something God had already given me. I just had to open my heart and mind to the possibilities. I had to change my mentality from “that’s too hard to accomplish” to “it’s not impossible.” I had the direction, but I still had to take the steps.
As a woman of mixed race, I’ve faced moments where I questioned my place and carried the weight of other people’s expectations and opinions. But somewhere along the way, I realized my life couldn’t be built around proving anyone wrong. It had to be built around trusting who I was becoming and, eventually, trusting the God who had been leading me all along when all I had were my own thoughts.
Holy City Nails isn’t just a business. It’s a reflection of healing, growth, opportunity, and faith. It’s proof that purpose can grow out of pain, that creativity can become a form of self-expression, and that sometimes God is working in your life long before you recognize His hand in it.
If someone reads my story, I don’t want them to think, “I wish I had her business.” I want them to think, “Maybe I can become the person I’ve been afraid to be.” And if my story points them toward believing there is a greater purpose for their own life, then I’ve accomplished far more than building a business. I hope it inspires others to create their very own testimony—to trust that even when life breaks you, it doesn’t have to be the end of your story. Sometimes, it’s the very beginning of where God begins helping you rebuild.
That’s the real testimony.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of my biggest challenges was learning how to build a business while still learning how to build myself. There were seasons of self-doubt where I questioned whether I was capable or even deserving of success. Financial obstacles, balancing the responsibilities of entrepreneurship, and navigating difficult personal experiences often tested my resilience. Like many small business owners, I also faced the uncertainty that comes with being responsible for every decision, every client, and every setback.
Beyond business, life continued to happen. I experienced unexpected hardships that challenged my mental, emotional, and spiritual strength. There were moments when giving up would have been easier than continuing. Instead, those seasons became opportunities to grow. They taught me discipline, patience, humility, and the importance of asking for help when I needed it.
Looking back, I no longer see those obstacles as roadblocks. They became the foundation of the person and business I am today. Every challenge strengthened my faith, refined my character, and reminded me that success isn’t measured by how easy the journey is—it’s measured by your willingness to keep moving forward, even when the path isn’t clear.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Holy City Nails was built on the belief that beauty is about more than appearance—it’s about confidence, connection, and self-expression. Every appointment is an opportunity to create a space where clients feel seen, heard, and valued. My goal has never been to simply provide a service, but to create an experience that leaves people feeling better than when they walked in.
As an independent business owner, I’ve had the freedom to blend creativity with purpose. Every set of nails is customized to reflect the client’s personality while maintaining the quality and attention to detail I’ve become known for. Over the years, I’ve also used social media to educate, inspire, and connect with people far beyond my local community, showing that success is possible through consistency, authenticity, and a willingness to keep learning.
Holy City Nails is a reflection of my journey. The same patience, resilience, and faith that helped build me are the same values I bring into my business every day. I hope every client leaves not only loving their nails but also feeling encouraged, confident, and reminded of their own worth.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I became independent at a very young age. I often believed that if I wanted something done, I had to do it myself. While I shared good memories with my family, my childhood also came with challenges that forced me to mature faster than many of my peers. I learned how to rely on myself, navigate difficult environments, and keep moving forward even when I felt misunderstood.
I was also bullied and often felt judged simply for asking questions or being myself. Those experiences made me quieter at times, but they also made me incredibly observant. I spent a lot of time alone, reflecting, creating, and trying to understand the world around me. Looking back, I realize those moments shaped my resilience, my empathy, and my determination to create a life that looked different from the one I grew up in.
Today, I still value my independence, but I’ve also learned that strength isn’t about carrying everything by yourself. It’s about having the courage to heal, to grow, and to keep showing up despite the challenges you’ve faced. Even asking for help is the most powerful thing you can do. Those early experiences didn’t define my future—they helped shape the woman and business owner I’ve become.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Holycitynails.as.me
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holycitynails
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DSoihypMv/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holycitynails
