“God was able to use a devastating season in my life for His glory,” said Rooke. “I am grateful the Lord directed my steps to Cedarville University so I can continue to foster my passion for entrepreneurship and inspire others.”
After an injury forced her to abandon a promising soccer career, Aly Rooke was faced with a devastating setback. But what seemed like a tragic end turned into an extraordinary opportunity — the start of Alyeliane Nails, a nail art business that is capturing the attention of women across social media.
Rooke, who is a sophomore marketing major at Cedarville University, started the nail venture as a creative outlet to heal from a soccer injury that sidelined her career. Now, this business has blossomed into an extraordinary community that fuels Rooke’s passion for artistry.
While in middle school in Bakersfield, California, Rooke fell in love with soccer and dedicated her time and energy to the sport. After suffering a severe back injury, she was forced to quit soccer and look for other ways to challenge her creative mind.
She turned to alternative hobbies to keep herself occupied. Eventually, Rooke began painting and quickly discovered her passion for artistry.
Rooke had found her new creative outlet.
“In a disappointing season, the Lord took my eyes away from the tragedy consuming my thoughts and allowed me to discover a new passion,” said Rooke.
Little did she know that her newfound talent would lead to a successful business venture.
“At first, I practiced nail art on friends and family,” said Rooke. “When I started attending Cedarville, I was informally booking weekly nail appointments to make friends on campus. I created an Instagram page to share my nail designs, and since then, I have had nail appointments booked months in advance.”
Rooke’s passion for entrepreneurship earned her the role of vice president in Cedarville’s student organization, Cedarville University Entrepreneurship (CUE), allowing her the opportunity to share ideas and inspire young, like-minded individuals weekly.
As the success of Alyeliane Nails continues to soar, Rooke aims to expand her business after college. Her entrepreneurial journey is a powerful reminder that life's setbacks often point us toward a purpose.
“God was able to use a devastating season in my life for His glory,” said Rooke. “I am grateful the Lord directed my steps to Cedarville University so I can continue to foster my passion for entrepreneurship and inspire others.”
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.