Building a Brand Between Hospital Shifts

My name is Ethel M.Scott, and I am a nurse by profession. Caring for people has always been at the heart of who I am. Nursing has taught me compassion, resilience, patience, and attention to detail—qualities that have also shaped the way I approach entrepreneurship.

The idea for Pressed By Moore came from my everyday experience as a nurse. Working in healthcare means long shifts, unpredictable schedules, and sometimes working almost every day of the week with only one or two days off. Despite our busy lives, many of us still want to look good and feel confident.

I noticed that whenever there was a birthday, wedding, or special event, many nurses would spend money getting acrylic nails done, only to remove them shortly afterward because of work requirements. It felt like spending so much time and money on something that couldn’t last. That made me wonder if there was a better solution.

Why nurses? Because I understood the problem from personal experience. While some doctors can work with their nails depending on their role, nurses often have stricter practical requirements. At the same time, I realized press-on nails could also be perfect for anyone who simply loves changing their nail designs often without committing to one style.

I’ve always loved having my nails done both my hands and feet, so creating a business around something I genuinely enjoy felt natural. Through Pressed By Moore, I offer press-on nails in different lengths and sizes because every woman has her own preference. Some love short, elegant nails, while others enjoy longer, bolder styles.

I started the business on a very small scale. For a long time, I didn’t put myself or my products on social media because I was afraid. I questioned whether people would buy from me or whether the business would ever grow beyond family and friends. Looking back, I realize fear kept me hidden more than anything else.

A turning point for me was joining the FoundHers community. Being surrounded by women who were building businesses made me realize that my idea had potential. During one conversation, the founder, Ms. Shirley-Grace Hart (managing partner of foundher.hq), encouraged me to think beyond simply selling products and challenged me to see Pressed By Moore as a brand I could intentionally build. That conversation gave me the confidence to stop waiting until everything felt perfect.

I’m still at the beginning of my journey. I recently created an Instagram page for Pressed By Moore as my first step toward building an online presence and growing a community around my brand. My second batch of products is expected to arrive in August, and I’m excited because it marks another step forward in this journey.

I’m learning that building a business isn’t only about having a good product—it’s about showing up consistently, learning from every experience, and being willing to grow even when things feel uncertain. Every day teaches me something new about branding, marketing, and believing in myself.

My vision is to grow Pressed By Moore into a trusted beauty brand that serves busy women, especially healthcare professionals and anyone looking for stylish, convenient nail solutions. I know I’m not there yet, but I’m committed to learning, improving, and taking one step at a time.

For me, nursing will always be my profession, and entrepreneurship is the dream I’m choosing to build alongside it. This is only the beginning of my story, and I’m excited to see where the journey leads