Visit the Photo Place

GINNA ESTES IS THE OWNER OF KISS MY TOES, A CONCEPT DESIGNED TO ENSURE HEALTHIER FEET AND HANDS.

The Deal: Owner of pedicure/manicure business

Date published: 4/1/2009

LOCATION AND CONTACT: 1115 Potomac Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22405; 540-834-9645

EDUCATION: James Monroe High School, 1979. Art Institute of Atlanta, Ga., associate degree in business, 1981

FAMILY: Irvin Estes, father; Virginia C. Estes, mother; older brothers Larry and Phillip and their wives, Carolyn and Dora. Two sets of nieces and nephews: Vince, Kelly, Phillip and Pamela. A younger sister, Joan, and Doug, her husband, along with beautiful baby Reagan. Four cats: Clyde, Muffin, J.B. and Lady. A dog named Prince. AND my awesome boyfriend, Bill.

CAREER HISTORY: I started off working at the Happy Clam restaurant when it was on William Street. Then I moved to Atlanta, where I modeled and put together a traveling professional rock band. I did that for 10 years, then ended up back in the restaurant business in Tampa, opening Applebee's restaurants. That was such hard work, and one day my hairdresser said, "Go get your nail license and work here." That was 10 years ago, and since I came home in 2001 I've discovered that God gave me a gift of healing at least when it comes to feet and hands.

FIRST JOB: Happy Clam restaurant. Great food. Great family to work for. Thank you, Moncures.

WORST JOB: Putting the new laser water meters in the yards of people's homes in Spotsylvania. It was dirty, cold and boring.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? Right here in good old Fredericksburg.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I wanted to own a restaurant.

HOW DID YOU END UP OWNING KISS MY TOES? My friends and clients said, "Go, Ginna--we will follow." Seriously, without my supportive clients I couldn't had done this. That and a lot of hard work on my behalf.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST DECISION YOU'RE WRESTLING WITH NOW? How to make more money in this messed up economy without raising my prices, so I've come up with new services to add on to pedicures or single healing detox and massage.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT YOUR JOB? The fact that I have to bend over all day to work on the feet.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB NOW? That it is set in a comfortable building, and everyone seems to be so relaxed once they leave.

To nominate a business owner for The Deal, e-mail: Deal Maker@freelancestar.com. Provide a description of the business, how long it's operated, its location, contact information, Web site and why the owner should be featured. The Free Lance-Star's coverage of area businesses in The Deal does not mean that the newspaper is endorsing any particular business.

Follow us on

Date published: 4/1/2009