From Hobby Kit to Wearable Art: Boyertown’s Ruby Cooprider Builds a Nail Studio One Masterpiece at a Time

Article transcribed from an episode of "B Inspired" podcast hosted by Jane Stahl

Editor's note: "Service" comes in many forms. Businesses offer services that help us look our best, capture our personalities or interests, or provide a creative way to express ourselves. "Rube's" provides such a service.

When Ruby Cooprider’s grandmother handed her an acrylic nail kit from Amazon four years ago, neither of them imagined it would become the foundation of a thriving small business.

What began as a hobby to pass the time has grown into Nails by Rube’s, a newly opened nail studio on South Washington Street in Boyertown where clients arrive seeking something far beyond a simple manicure. They come for wearable art, intricate storytelling, and the chance to leave with a one-of-a-kind creation at their fingertips.

“I thought it was a hobby that was going to last like two weeks,” Cooprider recalled during a recent episode of the B Inspired Podcast hosted by Jane Stahl.

A Hobby That Stuck

Instead, the 2021 Boyertown Area Senior High graduate became captivated by the creativity she discovered online. Hours spent watching nail artists on Instagram and TikTok inspired her to experiment, practice, and eventually develop a style all her own.

“I would always watch Instagram and TikTok videos of people doing nails, and I was like, ‘I can do that,’” she said.

At first, Cooprider practiced on herself, her sisters, and willing friends. The turning point came while she was working as a spa associate. Her coworkers noticed her increasingly elaborate nail designs and encouraged her to pursue the craft professionally.

“I was constantly doing my nails, and all my coworkers were like, ‘You should do that—I will pay you,’” she said.

Turning Fingernails Into Art

Today, Cooprider has become known for the imaginative and often extravagant designs that have earned her a growing following. During the podcast interview, she sported a rainforest-themed set featuring a three-dimensional snake sculpted onto her nails. She and her sister had even considered adding tiny tree frogs to complete the look.

That creativity is exactly what draws many clients to her chair.

“Most people come to me once a month,” Cooprider explained. “They’re already thinking about their next appointment.”

Rather than arriving with a specific request, many clients collaborate with her on concepts and themes. Some send Pinterest collages or collections of inspiration photos and ask her to create something unique.

“They’ll send me pictures and say, ‘This is the vibe,’” she said. “Or they tell me to ‘Rubify it.’”

The phrase has become something of a trademark, reflecting Cooprider’s ability to transform inspiration into a personalized design that reflects her artistic vision.

Unlike traditional artists who work on canvases destined for walls, Cooprider views her medium differently.

“It’s wearable art,” she said.

Learning the Craft

The appeal, she notes, is that the artwork is temporary. Clients can reinvent themselves every few weeks with entirely new designs. Even so, Cooprider admits she occasionally grows attached to her creations and feels a little sad when it is time to remove them.

Her work relies primarily on acrylics and gels, materials that allow her to sculpt intricate three-dimensional elements and create designs that can withstand everyday life. Though many people wonder how she manages daily tasks with long, elaborate nails, Cooprider says adaptation comes naturally.

“You just get used to it and learn how to use your hands in a different way,” she said.

Before opening her studio, Cooprider made sure her talent was supported by professional training. After spending about a year practicing and determining that nails were more than a passing interest, she enrolled at the Salon Professional Academy in Collegeville.

The three-month program included instruction in sanitation, safety, regulations, and practical skills. Following graduation, she passed Pennsylvania’s state licensing examination and officially entered the profession.

Building a Business

While the artistic side came naturally, building a business required another set of skills. Fortunately, entrepreneurship runs in her family. Her parents previously owned a contracting business, and she relied on their guidance while navigating the practical aspects of launching her own company.

“I had the art part down,” she said. “But what’s the business side?”

That combination of creativity and determination has helped her establish herself quickly. Now just weeks into operating her own studio, Cooprider says she has no immediate plans to expand beyond the specialized services she loves most.

“I just enjoy doing the funky things—things you wouldn’t normally get at a regular nail salon,” she said.

From Rudolph to Wheel of Fortune

Those “funky things” can be remarkably elaborate. Past creations have included a Christmas-themed set featuring characters from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys. She has created designs inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants, Studio Ghibli films, anime characters, and other pop-culture favorites.

One of her current projects may be her most ambitious yet: a Wheel of Fortune-themed nail set featuring a wheel that actually spins.

For Cooprider, nail art is more than decoration. Sometimes the designs tell a story across both hands, with individual nails combining to create a larger scene.

More Than Just Nails

The most rewarding part of the business, however, extends beyond artistry. Like hairstylists and barbers, nail artists often become trusted confidants for their clients. Over time, relationships form, conversations continue, and appointments become opportunities to catch up on life’s latest developments.

“I’m very excited every time they come in,” she said. “I’m like, what’s the update on that story?”

That sense of connection, combined with a passion for creativity, is what keeps her motivated.

After all, what started as a hobby has become something much more meaningful—a career built on imagination, craftsmanship, and community.

For Boyertown residents seeking a standard manicure, there are plenty of options. But for those looking to turn their hands into miniature works of art, Ruby Cooprider is proving there’s a place for creativity at every fingertip.

The B-Inspired podcast shares moments of transformation and inspiration all around us;  click here to listen to Ruby on Spotify or find it online where you regularly access your favorite podcasts.

More News from Boyertown

• Creative Professionals Can Build Sustainable Businesses That Thrive A sustainable business for creative professionals requires thoughtful plans and preparedness to match the passion.
• Railbike tours return to Colebrookdale Railroad after yearlong hiatus POTTSTOWN, Pa. Railbikes are back!