Story & Lesson Highlights with Sierra Orona of Downtown Phoenix

We recently had the chance to connect with Sierra Orona and have shared our conversation below.

Sierra, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
We’ll see, that depends on the day! Tuesday through Saturday you’ll find me vibing out at the nail salon. Slaying the nails!

Catch me on my days off though, Sundays are for me and my hubby. Mondays are my self care days! Whether it’s IV therapy and hydration at my favorite spot, or at home face masks and deep conditioning treatments on my hair! Love my self care days! We all need them!!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey there! I’m Sierra, your go-to nail girl! I turned my nail hobby into my dream job and I haven’t looked back since!

A little about me, Originally from New Mexico, but I’ve proudly called Arizona home since 2015. With a 15-year background in corporate sales and marketing, I’ve always had a passion for people, detail, and presentation. After relocating to Arizona, I struggled to find a nail artist who matched my standards for care and creativity—so I turned my passion into my dream job. In February 2020, I enrolled in beauty school, transforming a personal challenge into a thriving career in the nail industry.
Today, I specialize in Gel X and acrylic enhancements, combining artistry with a deep understanding of nail health. My approach is rooted in education—I believe every guest should leave not only with beautiful nails but also with the knowledge to care for them confidently.
Driven by a love for continuous growth, I’m currently working toward my Cosmetology Educator licensure, with the goal of inspiring the next generation of nail professionals.

I also plan to launch my mobile nail business soon!

Watch out… Nails by SierraO just might take over! ✨ Where artistry meets education, and every set tells a story. ✨

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
When it became that time for me in High School when you ask yourself who you want to be, I felt like the world gave me three options: go to college and “make something” of myself, join the military, or flip burgers for the rest of my life. None of those options seemed to sit well with me. I’ve always been a person full of dreams and curiosity — I want to explore everything. With that in mind I attended college hoping to find my fit.

I explored just about every major that caught my interest — teaching, journalism, hospitality, travel, the list goes on. As a last resort, I studied in depth business management with a focus on marketing before leaving school and accepting a corporate sales job.

I loved working in sales! I loved connecting with people, traveling, and helping clients find solutions. I thought I had made it, right? This is what I was meant to do? But why is something still missing? This creative side of myself doesn’t fit in a box or a cubical in an office working off a script. When I made the change to join the beauty industry, it was the best decision of my life. Now the world doesn’t tell me who I have to be… I’m letting the world know who I am!

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me things success never had the patience to. Pain forces you to pause — to look at who you are when everything comfortable falls away. Growth doesn’t usually happen in the easy moments; it happens when you’re standing in the wreckage, deciding what’s worth rebuilding.

I’ve had moments, both personally and professionally, that I thought would completely break me. And honestly, maybe they did — but every time, I came back a little stronger, a little wiser. Each setback, each heartbreak, became its own kind of teacher, showing me how to move forward with more purpose and compassion than before.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Honestly, the biggest project I’m committed to is myself. I’ve learned that the most important investment you can make is in your own growth — personally, professionally, and emotionally.

On a personal level, I’m deeply passionate about mental health. I’ve seen how powerful it can be to give yourself permission to heal, to slow down, and to rebuild.
Professionally, I’m focused on continuing to grow my brand, expanding my craft, and eventually opening my own salon.
More than anything, I want to create space for young artists to see what’s possible!

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Now, I can honestly say I’m doing what I was born to do. For a long time, I tried to fit my creativity into boxes that never quite fit — but now, I get to let it breathe, evolve, and take shape in its own way. Honestly, I can barely contain it to my own station let alone the whole salon floor.

Every new space I work in, every client I meet, teaches me something new about myself and my craft. I get to meet new people every day and build some of the most amazing relationships. I get to celebrate life’s biggest moments with people — holding hands when they tell me they’re getting married or having a baby. I am also there and get to share in their heartbreak too, offering a hug when they’ve lost someone they love.

I was born to connect with people — to see them, to lift their spirits, to share in their stories through both heart and vibe.

If there’s one thing life has taught me, it’s that the journey to becoming yourself is never a straight line. You stumble, you rebuild, you grow — and somewhere along the way, you find the courage to live life on your own terms. Every setback, every shift in direction, brought me closer to who I really am: someone who leads with heart, creativity, and purpose.

Right now, you can find me at Nail Snob PHX in downtown Phoenix. I love the energy — the laughter, the artistry, the sense of community. I sit among some incredibly talented and creative individuals who inspire me every single day.

For me, this chapter feels like alignment — like everything I’ve gone through was leading me right here. And as I keep learning, growing, and creating, I know this is only the beginning of something even more beautiful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nailsnobphx.com/
• Instagram: @nails_by_SierraO

Image Credits
Photo Credit to Adrian Orona at Absolutely Stunning Photography