Meet the 15-Year-Old Nail Tech Building a Global Press-On Business

Midnight Press-Ons and Celebrity DMs

That nocturnal hustle has built a thriving international enterprise. Mattu’s digital footprint stretches far beyond Canada, drawing high-profile attention from major music stars. Pop singer Meghan Trainor follows her accounts online, and artist SZA has dropped likes on several of her custom designs.

The Pennywise Set That Conquered New York

Fourteenth-year-old Chumi Korn was simply scrolling through social media in New York City when she stopped dead in her tracks. She had spotted a set of press-on nails themed around Pennywise, the terrifying antagonist from the film It.

Those are the literal most gorgeous nails I’ve ever seen

Chumi Korn, via CBC

Korn ordered a set immediately, instantly converting into a loyal repeat customer.

This girl is literally, like, my age and she’s doing nails like I could never fathom to do in probably my long, long life

Chumi Korn, via CBC

Nine-Year-Old Ambitions and Professional Mentorship

This level of artistry didn’t happen overnight. Mattu’s obsession with nail care sparked around the age of nine when she received her very first starter kit.

I started jumping around and screaming. I started unboxing the kit and I got so happy looking at the nail polishes, the little mannequins, and I got everything ready.

Ineet Mattu, via CBC

To turn childhood passion into professional-grade technique, Mattu completed at least three rigorous training courses focusing on nail anatomy and application. She sharpened her execution by studying advanced design methods from Tanya Puttick of Eyes on You Nail Artistry, regularly bringing her practice pieces back to Puttick for expert critique.

Salons, Academies, and Ariana Grande

Puttick believes the Calgary prodigy has the exact skill set required to cross over into leadership.

I’d love to see her eventually becoming her own educator and teaching. I could totally see her going down that path

Tanya Puttick, via CBC

Mattu has her own roadmap. She intends to open a brick-and-mortar nail salon anchored by her very own proprietary line of custom nail colors. She even has her next big celebrity pitch mapped out: if she ever gets to design for Ariana Grande, the set will feature pink chrome and butterfly motifs built around a majestic aesthetic era.