Nailed it – Dusty Rose Nails take root in Kaukauna

Chris Rugowski

Contributor

December 15, 2025

KAUKAUNA – Talen Doro said what began as a personal quest for self-care during the ups and downs of motherhood has blossomed into a growing business.

Located at 424 Buchanan Road, Doro said Dusty Rose Nails offers a welcoming space where clients can relax and enjoy expert nail care, complimented by good vibes and creativity.

Becoming a nail tech

Doro said her interest in nails began after meeting a private nail technician who introduced her to the craft.

“She was a private nail tech, and that was new to me,” she said. “She said to me one day, ‘You should do this, we have so much fun and you have the eye for it.’ That’s when I started researching the career.”

Still living in rural Kansas at the time – where she was born and raised – Doro said she discovered she was two hours away from the nearest school, and required her to be there eight hours a day.

“At the time, I couldn’t justify it with young children,” she said.

After moving to Kaukauna in 2024 with her Wisconsin-native husband, Doro said she quickly realized it was not only a wonderful place to live but also the perfect spot to launch her business.

“When we moved to Wisconsin, I got my license within a year of being here [through] Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac,” she said. “When we bought [our] house in Kaukauna, it was with the sole purpose of putting my salon in it. In a [nutshell], I had a goal, and it took three years to do it.”

Doro said for her, this was a “retirement and forever” goal – approached with patience and care, gradually growing into Dusty Rose Nails.

Looking at how far she’s come, Doro said launching a business and stepping into the public eye despite her naturally introverted nature has pushed her to become braver.

“It has made me much more confident about my skills,” she said. “Being newer yet, I sometimes have imposter syndrome, but once I get going, everything happens naturally.”

Offerings

Specializing in acrylic and gel manicures, Doro said she uses nail forms to sculpt acrylic directly onto the nails, creating fully custom designs without the need for glued tips.

“I’m not sure it makes me ‘unique’ per se – this is something anyone can offer, but it’s not something they prefer,” she said. “It’s not the quickest, but the benefit is [that] I can make any shape and size. Custom fit is really a focus for me, in all my product and service offerings.”

Though she recognizes nail style is a personal preference – whether tips and glue or nail forms – Doro said most clients are amazed by the process and results of her techniques.

“It takes me longer to do this work, but I know I am a yapper, too,” she said. “At the same time, many of the girls who have sat in my chair have become friends. That’s probably half of why I do it – for the interaction, the community and the connections.”

Beyond nails, Doro said Dusty Rose also offers permanent jewelry services, including rewelds.

Community reaction

Though Dusty Rose Nails is still in its early months, Doro said she has already built a community eager to support her endeavor.

Starting slow in April, Doro said she spent the first couple of months actively promoting the business – and by June, she was booked solid.

“That’s when it clicked for me,” she said. “I woke up one week, and I was ready to throw myself full force into it [and joined] the Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce. I should’ve done it a long time ago, but I wasn’t ready. You have to be in a certain space.”

Doro said she credits the chamber with doubling her business, and the excitement from the November ribbon-cutting ceremony still has her feeling “bubbly.”

“Everyone was much more excited than I even thought – I didn’t expect that reaction, but it’s confirming to me that I’ve built something nice,” she said.

Doro said what sets Dusty Rose apart from traditional nail shops is her ability to be more selective with the services she offers and how she uses her space – something her clients have come to value.

“Once my clients came here, they appreciated the privacy, quiet and personalization,” she said. “Sometimes we pop on a show, play music or they can even take a nap. The appointment is very client-oriented – it’s not a get-in-get-out situation. I treat every appointment like my friends are coming over.”

Future plans

In just a few months, Doro said her business has grown so quickly that her current home setup is starting to feel cramped.

Though she and her husband have thought about updating the garage, Doro said she feels the next step is finding an off-site location – somewhere she can fully expand her business and have a space apart from the house.

And while that isn’t likely to happen anytime soon – maybe not for another year or two – she said she still sees it as a potential step down the line.

For the months ahead, Doro said she anticipates growth to come from events.

“I didn’t plan on doing that,” she said. “I realized I have to expand beyond just nails, and so far, events have been really good.”

Though every vendor event comes at a cost, Doro said she sees the benefits as invaluable – getting out of the salon, staying active in her business and meeting other powerful women in the community, all of which she deeply values.

Within the event space, Doro said she has offered press-on nail options and recently expanded into permanent jewelry, which has become very popular – especially at her home station.

While permanent jewelry isn’t unique on its own, Doro said hers reflects her Kansas roots, with pieces in turquoise, gold and floral-stamped bangles.

Doro said diversifying Dusty Rose’s offerings allows her to generate income in different ways, giving her family more financial freedom.

She said she approaches her work as both a business and a form of self-care, encouraging others to make self-care a priority in their own lives.

“I know in this economy it can seem like getting your nails done, or getting permanent jewelry is vain, but if this is what self-care looks like to you, then it’s a necessity,” she said. “People forget self-care is important.”

For more on Dusty Rose Nails, find the salon on Facebook or visit dustyrosenails.square.site.