Daily Inspiration: Meet Gretel Vazquez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gretel Vazquez.

Hi Gretel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always had a love for art, and getting to incorporate art into every day is amazing. I started doing nails as a hobby, which slowly became one of my biggest passions. I started with a $20 desk on OfferUp, got my materials, and started practicing. I started with one to two clients per month. Now, my appointments get booked up weeks in advance. As part of my journey as a nail artist, I have been through many learning experiences, from expanding the type of nail art I can do to the variety of materials and products I can use. I wanted my clients to receive an experience different from what they would typically get at a regular salon, a more personalized experience. I started getting business through the Facebook marketplace and advertising my work on Instagram. I am self-taught, and I’m proud to say that I’ve brought myself this far. What has driven me to come this far is my daughter. I want her to grow up and see that anything in life is possible if you want it enough and that putting in the work, time, and effort always pays off.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting my business was not easy. I first started doing nails when I was six months pregnant. I had to be careful with the types of chemicals I was using, so I focused on doing press-on nails. After my daughter was born, I got to work almost immediately. My daughter is 14 months old, but being a stay-at-home mom on top of trying to run a business has been challenging, but I’ve managed so far. As I move forward, I’ll continue to try to be the best mom I can be for my daughter while working hard to run a successful business. I’ll continue to turn challenges into opportunities for growth and learning.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in doing acrylic nails and a variety of artistic nail designs. I am known for my designs and my character art. I love re-creating fun character art, especially for Halloween and Christmas. Helping clients materialize their ideas into nail art is a perfect example of how I provide them with a personalized experience and is one of the main reasons I love what I do. Regular nail salons often do not offer complex nail design services. I’m incredibly proud of all the practice and time I put into doing character designs. It has paid off, and now, not only do I get to see all the cool designs, but I also get to see people loving my work.

Had we love to hear about your fond memories of growing up?
My favorite childhood memory is when my aunt Sam took me on a spur-of-the-moment trip to Disneyland. My aunt and I have a great bond, and we had a great time. I specifically remember it was Labor Day weekend. We took one day to drive up, one day to be at the park, and one day to return home. As luck would have it, some of our favorite rides were closed to prepare them for Halloween. Still, we managed to have a fantastic time. I think it’s my favorite memory because it was so spontaneous. We had a lot of laughs, and it was one of my favorite trips ever.

Pricing:

• Acrylic nails $60+
• Gel polish $35+
• Acrylic overlay $55+
• Soak off $20
• Gel-x $50

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/nails.bygretel?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=