We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gretel Vazquez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Gretel , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

I was raised by my grandparents and they were always my main source of inspiration. I feel that when I was younger, these lessons while important, did not feel as impactful. However, once I became a parent, hard work and perseverance have become some of my strongest values. I think there is so much power in being proud in the effort you put into things, whether is your work or your family. Teaching me to appreciate the value of hard work is definitely something I am grateful to my mother for.

Gretel , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Gretel and I am a nail technician based in Tucson, Arizona. I specialize in acrylic nails and custom press-on nail sets. I am known for my custom nail art and character art but I think that what sets me apart from other nail technicians is that I provide an experience rather than just a service. I strive to establish trust with my clients, provide the highest level of customer service as well as well as a relaxing, nurturing environment.

My journey into becoming a nail technician started at an early age.I have been a creative person, ever since I was a child. I have always found that creativity is an outlet that helps me feel grounded, it helps me express myself while helping me feel fulfilled. Growing up I explored my creativity through various outlets including music, painting and specially makeup. Growing up, I was always very drawn to the online beauty community and how it helped millions of people feel a sense of belonging through their love of makeup.

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I continued to explore makeup and all things beauty and that is how I became interested in nail art. I started small while I perfected my craft but now it has become my career. I want people who follow me on social media to associate my brand with high quality, top notch customer service and inclusivity.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Originally, I would have said word of mouth but I feel that has been changing recently. I showcase my services on social media including Instagram and TikTok. I sometimes do referral specials to encourage existing clients to spread the word with their friends. However, most recently I get the most engagement and new clients from TikTok.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I have always been a creative person and I feel at my most productive when I can have an impact. After high school I held a couple of 9-5 jobs. I tried that for a few years and while those jobs were stable and low-risk, I had a very difficult time feeling fulfilled in a job where I had no say over my work product and where I was not able to use my creativity. Ultimately, I made the decision to start my own business so I could have control over my career while being able to exercise my creativity but most importantly I wanted to feel empowered. Being a small business owner can be risky as you have to commit your resources to starting the business, there are fluctuations in the number of clients you get from week to week and you constantly have to switch your strategy to drive up the interest in. your business. It is definitely a lot of hard work but I would not have it any other way.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: nails.bygretel
• Other: TikTok nailsbygretel