Sets by Yana aims to create beautiful nails in a welcoming environment for clients
By LAILA AZHAR — features@theaggie.org
When Ayana Call, a fourth-year animal science major and Davis-based nail tech, posts her appointment availability, it does not take long for slots to fill up — she is often completely booked for the week within minutes.
Initially teaching herself how to do nails during the COVID-19 pandemic, Call explained what caused her to take matters into her own hands.
“Salons were closed, and if they were open, they were overcharging,” Call said.
As a first-year at UC Davis, Call initially started doing nail sets for other students by working out of her dorm room.
“My close friends and acquaintances knew that I did my own [nails], so I started off doing theirs,” Call said. “Then I met my boyfriend, who’s a barber, and he encouraged me to start offering services rather than just a favor, and things slowly branched out from there.”
She started her Instagram account, @setsbyyana, that summer. While it initially only had a handful of followers, the first few months of her second year ended up being pivotal to her business. Not only did she have more time and practice under her belt, but she had also moved into an apartment, an environment much more conducive to a nail business than the dorms.
“Those couple months took me from 100 followers to around 600, which was one of my big accomplishments so far,” Call said.
Today, her Instagram account has nearly 1,000 followers and shows a display of her artistry, from hand-painted characters to sculpted roses to gem-studded patterns.
Priscila Anguiano, a UC Davis alum, recalled getting to witness this growth as a client.
“I’ve been going to Sets By Yana since 2023, and it has honestly been so fun seeing her business grow as she gets recognized for her amazing talent,” Anguiano said. “She’s always a topic of conversation with me and my best friends as we’re always in awe of the newest sets she posts on her Instagram.”
For Call, a large part of her growth has been in crafting the perfect work environment.
“I don’t want people to come in and feel like they’re in an awkward situation,” Call said. “I think that’s something that’s grown from my time in the dorms, because I can tell you, that was an awkward situation.”
From her elegant taste in decorations to the music that plays throughout her appointments, Call’s studio reflects her precise attention to detail.
“I think having a space that reflects the brand and the direction you want to take the quality of your work [in] is really important,” Call said. “I wanted to create a space that felt homey as well, just because I’m working out of the same space that I’m staying. I don’t want to feel like I’m living in a nail salon.”
Alongside her studio, Call aims to have a welcoming personality that makes appointments enjoyable for clients. Danielle Antonio, a fourth-year psychology and political science double major, described her experience with Call.
“She’s a pleasure to sit with, even with a two-hour set,” Antonio said.
Call appreciates the conversations she has with clients during appointments, as connecting with the Davis community has been a highlight of running the business.
“That’s a huge part of what I love about it: […] all the people that I’ve met doing this,” Call said. “I feel like you’re expanding your view on so many different cultures and personalities and perspectives. I’ve definitely been someone who appreciates a wide range of cultures and perspectives ever since I was younger, so I get to enjoy it.”
Call has always been interested in artistic endeavors — growing up, she was surrounded by uncles and cousins who were interested in painting and sculpting, and she took several art classes in high school. Becoming a nail artist has served as an outlet for that creativity.
“I think the creative world was always a calling for me,” Call said. “Doing nails is a really fun way to be in the beauty world while also having an outlet for my creativity. It’s so nice to have, especially considering [that] in college, you don’t have a lot of time to be sitting down and drawing and painting.”
Running a business has also taught her skills that are applicable to other aspects of her life.
“My ceramics teacher used to try and make ceramics into a life lesson,” Call said. “I feel like I’m stealing this from her, but it’s true: You’re problem solving and you’re networking and you’re communicating.”
Call shows deep gratitude for what her business has managed to bring her, and her clients feel a similar gratitude for the Sets by Yana business.
“I never realized how much my nails could bring joy to my day-to-day life until I started having them done with Yana,” Antonio said.
Her business is the product of her hard work and dedication throughout the years. From her meticulous artistic skills to her warm and friendly personality, Call seems to be providing a wonderful service to the Davis community. If you are interested in learning more about Sets by Yana, check out her Instagram for information on pricing and availability.
Written by: Laila Azhar — features@theaggie.org
