Did you know that one of the keys to living a healthier life can be found in the office of a manicurist, according to Alexa Johnson.

Luverne recently welcomed Johnson and the Blue Nail Studio to town in August, and it has been a move that she has not regretted. The studio shares a space with Lox Hair Studio and Spa, and the two work side by side to bring the ultimate forms of pampering together under one roof.

“One of Heather’s clients had been to me in Troy. After I got through with LBW, I worked in Troy at a little shop,” said Johnson. “After that, I packed it up, went home and she contacted me.”

Johnson had always had a passion for nail care, and wanted to pursue this avenue as a career. At the time, she was not able to find a program that suited her specific desire, so she instead went on to cosmetology school and worked with hair care for several years.

After marrying and starting a family, she relocated to the Town of Brantley. Once she made the move, Johnson then decided it was time that she pick back up on her dream of becoming a nail technician.

“The LBW MacArthur campus in Opp was down the road, so I decided to go on to nail school because I had always wanted to go into that. I got my license, and here I am,” she said.

The Blue Nail Studio officially opened its doors in August of last year and offers a wide variety of nail care services, such as gel manicures, a clip and a file, polish change and spa pedicures. Johnson even owns her own professional grade spa pedicure chair, which is hard to find in many smaller nail studios.

Johnson shows a deep concerned for the health and well-being of her customers, and tries to offer nail beautification methods that are both attractive and beneficial to the nails. She also has a passion for helping those affected by diabetes and neuropathy because she knows how dire situations involving diabetic foot care can turn if ignored or unnoticed.

“I think a lot of nail care, too, needs to look towards diabetics. People with diabetes and neuropathy really need to take care of their feet and their hands, but especially their feet,” she said.

“If they get a cut or any kind of infection, they might not be able to feel it. So, getting regular pedicures, even as simplistic as they can be, is important just to have someone else look at them and make sure there’s nothing going on.”

In her field of study, Johnson experienced vigorous hands-on training as well as extensive studying and homework. “I think it’s definitely something people need to go to school for. It was a lot of work, but it was very rewarding. Don’t give up; stick with it. You just have to be determined to do it,” she said.

Johnson now has it set up to where customers can book appointments online via her Facebook page. She hopes that this will continue to help her draw in more business as well as give an added boost on social media.

Johnson finds her career to be challenging but also very rewarding. She enjoys being able to make an impact on the lives of her customers, and hopes to continue to be a positive boost to the community.

“I think the fact that clients, a lot of times, can wear their polish so long; that makes me feel good and like I’m doing a good job. Clients returning to me is a good feeling, and that’s the most rewarding thing.  I love what I do; I love my job. I always look forward to coming to work, and I look forward to being here a long time.”