LET’S GET WEIRD.
Your Nails Are a Canvas.
The Robot Bee Origin Story
📖 Let’s Start From - Kind Of - The Beginning
Some folks find their 'thing' early. Good for them. Me? I was more like a creative tumbleweed, constantly flitting between fascinations. One minute I was directing epic yard-sale puppet dramas, the next I was learning to knit (from a library book, because I'm that old school!). There were questionable phone-wire jewelry phases, crafting for the Society of Creative Anachronisms, and even cofounding the 'Grown Ass Woman Brigade' in Orlando – doing social things and philanthropic ones, because balance. I loved them all, truly, but nothing quite stuck. Just a delightful, chaotic loop of creative endeavors.
These creative escapades weren't just hobbies; they were my sanity. My 'Imagination Muscles,' as I affectionately call them, needed a workout, or I’d devolve into a less 'normal(ish) extroverted self' and more 'staring blankly at walls, contemplating the lint.' Then, along came COVID. The Grownup (aka my husband) and I were unceremoniously laid off. I tried to go back to school, but my brain was too busy doom-scrolling through my entire life to absorb anything. Work has always been my stabilizer, so I eventually dropped out to get back to it. For a while, I was in a pretty good headspace, considering the whole 'Stupid Timeline' we were on.
But eventually, the stress of work and simply existing on the Stupid Timeline began to strangle even my beloved creative outlets. So, I did the smart thing and talked to my therapist (highly recommend, we all have something lurking in our noggin). I mumbled about feeling creatively zapped. She, being the wise guru she is, said, "It sounds like you need a little project. A quick win to jolt your creative juices." My internal monologue immediately questioned the ethics of 'jolting juices,' but I was desperate enough to try. "What's a little thing that gives you joy?" she asked. I thought about it, slowly responding, "Well, I used to love doing my nails." She lit up. "Perfect! Something easy to complete that you can look at every day!"
So, I dove headfirst into the rabbit hole. From basic lacquer to intricate gel manicures, nail tips, stamping – my jolty juices were a-flowin'. I joined all the groups and subreddits, soaking it all in. Then, BAM! An ad for a nail polish making kit. And just like that, my new 'hobby' (or 'Way of Life'? 'Secret Nail Polish Cabal'?) became an all-consuming, life-altering obsession. As I connected with indie makers, a wild thought sparked: "Could I do this?" A plan began to form, marrying all my weird, past creative endeavors with this wondrous, new obsession. I became fixated on incorporating 'Bee' into the name of the polish, a nod to my unique middle name, Bronwen, and my consistent signature 'B'. There were many iterations of names with 'Bee' in it, but most were either taken or just not resonating. After I had rewatched Bladerunner – The Final Cut (because I am cultured, dammit), I had an epiphany (gesundheit!). And lo, the 'Robot' part clicked. So Robot Bee became a thing.
Armed with a pitch deck and some experimental frankenstein polishes, I bravely presented my vision to friends who'd already tackled the small business abyss. At the last slide, I asked, "So... Am I crazy?" Their collective wisdom: "Well, yes. But this is amazing, and you should definitely do it." I even managed to sell a bunch before I officially started! Buoyed by that encouragement, and after navigating a whole lot of boring, business-y stuff (if I have to do another business plan, I might actually cry), here we are. Launching a website. Doing social media things.
There’s glitter in strange places, and paint on far too many shirts and pants. Bottles upon bottles of my frankenstein polish experiments. But I absolutely love it. Robot Bee is about creative expression, standing out in a crowd, and all that other amazing stuff marketing folks want you to say about your brand. (For the Benjamins or something.) And here we are. Welcome to my cabal, er, obsession. (There may or may not be a secret handshake. Just sayin'.)
💅✨🐝 There’s Glitter in Strange Places
FAQ’s
What is Robot Bee Polish?
Welcome to Robot Bee Polish, where your nails meet nerdy, vibrant fun! Our lacquer polishes are handmade in the USA, crafted in small batches to ensure top-notch quality and a splash of creativity. While we do our best to replicate your favorite shades, the artisanal process means slight variations can occur—hey, measuring ingredients is more of an art than a science! If you fall in love with a particular polish and plan to repurchase, let us know! Your feedback is like gold to us.
Please note: The color of the polishes in the photos may vary due to lighting and/or your screen monitor resolution. Also, labels and bottles may change without notice—because, why not keep things exciting?
Our inspiration comes from a delightful mix of nerdy passions, spanning sci-fi and fantasy realms to the vibrant world of K-pop and pop culture. Whatever rabbit hole we’re diving into at the moment, it fuels the creativity behind each unique polish. Whether you're a fan of superheroes, enchanted by fantasy novels, or obsessed with the latest K-pop trends, we’ve got something special that captures the spirit of your interests.
Where do you ship?
Currently, we ship to USA addresses only—sorry, no intergalactic deliveries just yet! If you’re lucky enough to call Texas home, tax will be added to your order. Shipping costs are calculated at checkout. Our turnaround time is 1-7 days after the order is placed, so hang tight while we get your nerdy goodies ready!
As for combined orders, I’m more than happy to accommodate. Just let me know right away with the order numbers. However, if you’ve already received a tracking number, it means your order is out and, obviously, can no longer be combined.
If your package decides to go on a grand adventure and hasn't arrived 10 business days after you receive tracking, email me at queenbee@robotbeepolish.com. I'll put on my detective hat and track it down for you!
If your order is genuinely lost (after 10 business days), I'll gladly replace it once you've filed a claim and provided the response. If your package is marked as delivered but isn't in your mailbox, first check with the post office or your mail carrier. While I'm not responsible for packages marked as delivered, I'll do my best to assist you once you have proof from the post office and a police report.
Do you do large orders?
The short answer is: it depends! Whether or not I can accommodate your request will hinge on a few key factors—specifically, the type of polish you're looking for, the quantity required, and the urgency of your order. To discuss the details and explore possibilities, please reach out to me at queenbee@robotbeepolish.com. Let's see what we can create together!