Meet Liley Villazan of Magnolia Beauty Academy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Liley Villazan.

Liley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey into the beauty education world started with a genuine passion for helping others build confidence, both in themselves and in their professional skills. I’ve always loved the creativity and community that comes with nail technology, but I also saw a need for more supportive, accessible training in our industry.

After working as a nail technician and instructor, I realized many students were graduating without a clear roadmap for building their clientele or navigating the business side of beauty. That’s what inspired me to create Magnolia Beauty Academy. I wanted to offer more than just technical training—I wanted to prepare students for real-world success and empower them to turn a hobby into a sustainable career.

Starting out, it was just me and a vision for a different kind of learning environment: one with small class sizes, flexible schedules, and a truly welcoming, relaxing space. Over time, our academy has grown, but our core values haven’t changed. We focus on hands-on education, professional ethics, and individualized support. I’m especially proud of our 100% state board exam pass rate and the way our students leave feeling confident and career-ready.

Today, I’m still teaching, mentoring, and constantly finding new ways to support our students, like developing a nail entrepreneur roadmap and teaming up with local non-profit business resource centers. It’s been a lot of hard work, but seeing our students succeed and thrive makes every challenge worth it.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, like most small business journeys, there have been plenty of bumps along the way. My very first struggle was just getting started; securing a loan for the academy was a huge hurdle. Once I got through that, I quickly realized how challenging marketing can be. I actually paid for marketing services twice, and both times the companies took my money without delivering what they promised. That was not only discouraging but also a tough financial hit as a new business owner.

Another major challenge has been cash flow. We offer an 8 month payment plan to make tuition more affordable for our students, but that means tuition comes in slowly. Covering payroll and other expenses was really difficult at times, and there were moments when I honestly wondered if we’d make it through.

But I’m happy to say we’re at a turning point now. After a lot of trial and error, we’ve found what works for us, and I finally see light at the end of the tunnel. Those struggles taught me a lot about resilience, resourcefulness, and the importance of sticking to your mission even when things get tough.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Magnolia Beauty Academy?
Magnolia Beauty Academy is an education and training center in Kansas City dedicated to empowering aspiring nail technicians and entrepreneurs. We specialize in nail technology programs for both Kansas and Missouri, as well as instructor training for those who want to teach and inspire others.

What truly sets us apart is our commitment to developing not just skilled nail technicians, but confident business owners. From the moment our students receive their apprentice license, we emphasize that they are stepping into the world as entrepreneurs. We work hard to shift their mindset from simply learning a skill to thinking like a business owner, focusing on how to build a clientele, manage finances, and turn their passion into a sustainable career.

Our academy is known for small class sizes, a supportive and relaxing environment, and flexible tuition plans that make education accessible. We’re proud of our 100% state board exam pass rate, but even prouder of the entrepreneurial spirit our students leave with. Our curriculum goes beyond technical training to include professional ethics, client care, business basics, and real-world scenarios.

Brand wise, I’m most proud of the community and confidence we help build. Magnolia Beauty Academy isn’t just a school, it’s a launchpad for future entrepreneurs in the beauty industry. We’re constantly evolving, adding new resources like our upcoming nail entrepreneur roadmap, and partnering with local non-profit organizations to provide even more opportunities for our students.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was always a mix of creative and responsible. Even in high school, I had a little side hustle doing hair and nails for friends and family. It was my way of combining creativity with a bit of entrepreneurship, even before I knew what that word really meant! I’ve always been very organized and reliable; in fact, I was the one in charge of keeping track of our household bills and even wrote out the checks for my parents.

Looking back, I think those early experiences, balancing creativity with organization and responsibility really shaped who I am today as a business owner and educator. I loved having a plan, making lists, and seeing things through, but I also loved helping people feel good about themselves. That combination has definitely carried over into how I run Magnolia Beauty Academy and support my students.

Pricing:

• Nail Technology – 350/400 hours – $5245
• Instructor Training – 300 hours – $4600
• Instructor Training – 450 hours – $5600
• Gel manicure $15
• Gel pedicure $20

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.magnoliabeautyacademy.com
• Instagram: magnolia_beauty_academy_kck
• Facebook: Magnolia Beauty Academy, LLC
• Youtube: @magnoliabeautyacademy