62-year-old inventor Darlene Willis received a vision from God for a tool she had no idea how to develop or produce. From that vision, Darlene has created a precision-crafted tool that safely removes acrylic, gel, dip, or any solvent that covers your nails.

Hi Darlene! Welcome to the BCM Family. Introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about you.

I was born and raised in Madison, Arkansas, with a loving mother and father. My mother was a barber and housewife, and my father was a mechanic who had his own shop. I am the 9th child. I moved to Memphis, TN, in the early 80s after college. I have an associate degree in business administration and secretary science. I have worked in the business arena all my adult life. I retired from Shelby Residential Vocational Service at the age of 50. I have one daughter - 46, and one grandson, 17, who I am so blessed to have who help me age gracefully without giving me stress.

I'm 62, the new 26 (lol), but nevertheless, age isn't anything but a number to me as long as I keep my body moving and my mind learning new things. I believe that if you love life, life will love you back.

You have invented a product for ladies or anyone who wears artificial nails called the E-ZNAILLIFTER.  How did you come up with such an idea?

I lived in Michigan when I started developing this concept.  I worked for an engineering firm called COMAU NORTH AMERICA.  They made robotics for General Motors. I started wearing artificial nails in 2000. I did not know I had to soak in pure acetone for 20 or 30 minutes until the solvent dissolved, then the excessive filling to get the solvent off.  As I was soaking my nails, my allergies flared up, causing my nose and eyes to run profusely and start to sneeze uncontrollably, so I had to remove my fingers from the Acetone. I did not like the removal process, but I loved wearing beautiful nails. I thought, “I don't think I can wear the nails.” I searched around and could not find anything to remove the nails. I said to myself that there must be a better way to remove them. As I was trying to find something to remove them, The MOST HIGH gave me the solution to my own problem, but I had to create it. The Most High gave me the whole tool and how to use it, and as I was sitting at my desk, I started drawing out this tool exactly how it was shown to me. I didn't know the material needed to make the tool or how to develop a product. The company was moving to Holly, Michigan, and I did not want to move, so I moved back to Memphis because I did not like the cold and excessive snow.

When I got back to Memphis, TN, product development began. I felt good being home. I went to manufacturing from Memphis, TN, St. Louis, California, and New York like a crazy woman looking for material and something to make it out of and trying to find someone to create a prototype. All I knew was that I wanted to make it out of plastic. They didn't know what I was talking about. I kept going, trying to find material to make it with. One day, I was led to a manufacturing company in Mississippi. I asked to see all the materials that were made from plastic.

That is where I found this long plastic pole made of polycarbonate, and I said Oh! This is it! I asked for some of the straps of plastic that they were going to discard, and he gave me different kinds of plastic poles. This was the beginning of the prototype of the E-ZNAILLIFTER. 

As I began to share my vision with others, telling them I wanted to invent this product, they looked at me like what! You want to do what? Invent what? That was so discouraging. One day, I was about to tell someone what I was trying to do, and the spirit asked how they could help me. I gave this vision to you; don't expect them to see it until you complete it. So, I only told people about it once I made a prototype. From this day forward, I do not tell anyone about what I'm about to do unless they can help me complete the project.

You finally find a place where you can find some of the materials to develop this product. What was the next step to get your product down the assembly line?

I started the process of patenting the E-ZNAILLIFTER, starting with a disclosure, provisional patent, and then a Utility Patent.

To make a prototype, I needed to buy a steel cavity mold that cost 25,000 - 35,000 dollars, money I did not have. I could have made it cheaper in China, but I wanted an American-made product. I found a company in Michigan that allowed me to buy a 2-cavity mold that makes 1,000 up to 200,000 units. The end result was a precision-crafted tool that safely removes artificial nails without the use of harsh chemicals.

It is amazing how you designed this product from the vision that GOD gave you! The tool sounds so easy to use. What is the process to use this tool?

The E-ZNAILLIFTER is a precision-crafted tool that safely removes acrylic, gel, dip, or any solvent that covers your fingers or toes besides fingernail polish. The package has instructions on using the E-ZNAILLIFTER. I also have a YouTube video on my website on how to use it. The E-ZNAILLIFTER is only used to take off nails when it is time for a fill-in, or you are ready to take them off to have a manicure on natural nails or a full set of acrylic, gel, dip nails, or press-on nails. Typically, the nails are ready to be removed when areas have grown from your nailbed. You can easily find an area where you can find a slit in the corners around the nails. After you find an opening, do not force it off; work around the side area. It works like a chisel by sliding the E-ZNAILLIFTER under the artificial nails.  You will find that using the E-ZNAILLIFTER is easy and safe without the use of harsh chemicals for 20 to 30 minutes and excessive filing.

 E-ZNAILLIFTER is a product used at home, like your fingernail file, and clippers, like your personal manicure set.

The E-ZNAILLIFTER is used for more than just removing artificial nails; it helps maintain natural nails by removing dead skin around the cuticle and keeping nails clean from underneath. So, men, no more dirty nails and toes.

What is the cost of this amazing product?

The E-ZNAILLIFTER cost pennies, just $10 dollars. I wanted to produce a cost-efficient product that saved time, and the ladies on the go who don't have time to set and soak or excessive filing could go and ask for a full set or a manicure. Nail Salons charges $10 or more to remove artificial nails and $3 dollars for removing a broken nail. The return on investment is advantageous. I am making the E-ZNAILLIFTER a household name like the fingernail file, clippers, Emory board file, and buffer. As long as women are wearing nails, the E-ZNAILLIFER is going to be there for them to remove them.

I love where you're going with this product. Where can it be purchased?

It is still a new product and can be purchased at www.e-znaillifter.com or Walmart marketplace. I set up events, venues, trade shows, and pop-up shops around the city. As a vendor, I attended an event for the James Brown Foundation in Atlanta in May. Last year, I was a part of The Black Mayors conference in Atlanta.

I love it. Darlene, is there anything I didn't ask that you want readers to know about your product or about you? Just anything amazing that you have going on.

I love to give back. I was doing Pamper Day with the motherboard or our seniors of Jesus People Church until the pandemic hit. Pamper Day included massages and manicures on fingernails and toes. I also help anyone needing information on developing a product and receiving their patent. I love encouraging people to keep moving forward positively toward their goals. I am just a simple lady with an extraordinary mind who wants to be a difference and who makes a difference in the lives of others. I consider myself an EAGLE flying high but able to swoop down to deal with whatever I need to deal with. If you have any dreams and aspirations, please don't look at what you have or don't have. Just do what you can, and the rest will come. KEEP MOVING FORWARD WITH THE GOAL THAT ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. REMEMBER, IMPOSSIBLE IS I’M POSSIBLE.