6 THINGS WITH ANNIE STANCLIFFE

6 Things with Annie Stancliffe Founder of High Five Nails

Based in San Francisco, Annie is the founder of High Five Nails with locations in San Francisco and Marin. High Five Nails is a reimagined nail salon with fair compensation and a supportive working environment. Annie applied her art background to the nail industry to create the ultimate salon experience. With appointments starting and ending on time, you'll have the perfect manicure in 30 minutes flat. Specializing in natural nails and regular polish, High Five Nails uses Essie’s 3-free longwear formula, which is super durable yet non-damaging. Annie has made it her mission to change the nail game with reliable and high quality services that will make your day.

1. What started it all for you?

I've always thought of myself as a creative person. I studied studio art and art history in school, and worked in the art world in New York for years before taking a pause to go to business school in California. From there, I launched my own business, a modern nail salon concept called High Five, with locations in San Francisco and Marin. I never imagined I'd apply my art background to the nail industry, but I felt a gap in the market as a consumer and wanted to build a nail salon experience that solved my own pain points while also creating a fun, positive workplace for nail technicians.

2. What drives your creative spark?

I've dreamed of being everything from a museum curator to a Disney animator to a fitness instructor to a party planner. I think ultimately what all these seemingly disparate career paths have in common is that I'm obsessed with designing experiences, with connecting tiny details into a seamless big picture. In the context of High Five, I love considering how color schemes, subject lines, playlists, floor plans, core values, and team uniforms are all intrinsically linked into one master narrative that is our brand story. In that sense, I don't think running a nail salon is that different from designing an art exhibition; it just comes down to knitting together salient details that tell a compelling story.

3. Most treasured home decor item?

The painting above my fireplace, which was made by my boyfriend Sam Robbins. For the most part Sam prefers to keep his artwork in his studio, but this one made it into the house and I am mesmerized every time I look at it.

4. What’s the best advice you've ever received?

Put on your own oxygen mask first. You can't be of service to others or to your work unless you yourself are physically and mentally healthy. As I'm sure other business owners can attest, it's very easy to neglect basic self care in service of your team or customers, but I've learned the hard way to prioritize food, sleep, exercise, and joy to be my best and most productive self.

5. It's 5 o'clock at home. What would you be pouring?

I'm cracking open a Calamansi Lime Zuzu! It's a low ABV sparkling agave cocktail launched by a dear friend and business school classmate Ali Schmidt. It's a perfect way to unwind on a weeknight and still be fresh as a daisy the next morning.

6. What are your favorite 6 accounts that you follow for inspiration?

@libland
@alexmacedastudio
@omsom
@artsy
@skyting
@nazabeautysf

SHOP ANNIE'S 6 HOME PICKS

Hilma af Klint $65

Helen Levi Mug $64

HAY Neon Light $89

Pendleton Blanket $239

FLOYD The Table $595

Spoonflower Wallpaper $8

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"I'm obsessed with designing experiences, with connecting tiny details into a seamless big picture. In the context of High Five, I love considering how color schemes, subject lines, playlists, floor plans, core values, and team uniforms are all intrinsically linked into one master narrative that is our brand story." -Annie Stancliffe