Ama has been passionate about beauty since childhood, seeing it as a powerful outlet for self-expression and creativity. After getting her nails done for the first time, she fell in love with the confidence and polished, feminine feeling they gave her, making biweekly nail appointments part of her routine – until the COVID-19 pandemic forced salons to temporarily close.
As her birthday approached during the pandemic, Ama still wanted to feel glamorous and celebrate in a way that felt true to her. Friends recommended press-on nails from major retailers, and while she found stylish options, they lacked the salon-quality finish and elevated feel she had grown to love.
When salons reopened, Ama eagerly returned to her manicure routine, only to experience sticker shock at the cost of services. “How was I maintaining this every two weeks?” she asked herself. Realizing others likely felt the same way, she began exploring how she could bring the salon experience home. In 2022, that idea became THE OCCASION – a brand centered on salon-quality press-on nails, affordability, luxury designs, and exceptional customer service.
The name was inspired by the belief that you don’t need a special event to pamper yourself. With a strong growth mindset, Ama continues envisioning ways to expand the brand through self-care and beauty products such as hand masks, foot masks, cuticle oils, and accessories.
Like many entrepreneurs, Ama began THE OCCASION as a side hustle while working a traditional 9-to-5 job. Over six to seven months, she invested time into sourcing materials, testing salon tips, and developing her brand. She creates unique one-of-one nail sets in sizes XS–XL while also offering classic collections. Through local markets, Ama has enjoyed connecting directly with customers and learning more about diverse nail sizes, nail beds, and style preferences.
After experiencing a major career shift from being laid off in the summer of 2025, Ama carefully reconsidered her next steps. Through the CareerForce CLIMB Program, she connected with a career coach who introduced her to entrepreneurial resources and later referred her to WomenVenture programs to further develop THE OCCASION.
“WomenVenture has been really great for me community wise and giving me opportunities. All women should be given a voice and the ability to speak up for themselves.”
Ama attended WomenVenture’s Community & Connection Night in November 2025, where she learned more about the organization’s entrepreneurial programs and networks. Shortly after, she enrolled in QuickBooks Online Basic Training and later joined Launched & Growing, a cohort-based course designed to help business owners scale sustainably and confidently.
“I needed to grow my business, and I want to make this very sustainable. Launched & Growing helped me say, ‘Yes, this is how my business can become more sustainable if I take these steps.’”
Ama especially valued the course’s planning systems and goal-setting exercises, which helped her visualize growth in a more organized and realistic way. Now as a full-time entrepreneur, seeing how her revenue progressed overtime further motivates her vision for THE OCCASION’s future.
Ama’s advice to other women looking to start a business is simple: “Do it.”
“Life switches and pivots. You don’t want anyone to be able to take away your lively hood or take how you live your life. Having a business gives you that sense of freedom and sense of ownership that everyone should be able to have.”
WomenVenture is proud to support entrepreneurs like Ama, whose journey with THE OCCASION demonstrates the power of turning passion into purpose. Her story is a reminder of what’s possible when women are empowered to embrace their vision and create something uniquely their own. You can support Ama’s growing business by shopping THE OCCASION for your next press-on set – and transform any ordinary day into a special occasion.
Author: Heather Cook, WomenVenture Marketing Manager
