We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lina Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lina below.

Lina , appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

As a single mother of 4, my life requires flexibility. Sometimes I really struggle financially being the sole provider for my children and I think often about giving up my passion for “regular job”, what mine and my family’s lives would look if I had a “regular job” and while financially it may be better, it would cost me things money cannot replace. First of all I’d not be happy in my work, time with my family, the ability to show up for the people I care about, handle things at home. I absolutely love what I do and I’m so happy that I made this choice. I wake up everyday knowing I’m just purely blessed to be happy to walk into my job everyday.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hello, and thank you for reading! My name is Lina and I am The Grabber Guru. I am a licensed private nail tech at Azia B’s Beauty Studios in North Raleigh. I specialize in GelX and Builder Gel. I also offer Acrylic, Polygel, Classic Manicure, Overlays, GelX/Builder Gel Toes, and Pedicures. I have been licensed since 2023 and have been doing nails since 2020. Doing nails is truly my passion. I’m so blessed to be happy to go to work everyday which is more than the average person can say. When I was younger and used to get my nails done I was always so intrigued by the entire process and wanted to learn to do it myself. So I made it a goal and accomplished it! Now here I am!

I really find joy in what I do and build unique relationships with each client. I’m sort of a best friend/therapist/secret vault/nail tech. We talk. We laugh. We cry. We eat. We pray. And we create beautiful nails.

So far I’m simply most proud of my resilience in my business. So many times I’ve wanted to give up but every time I walk into my suite, I’m so grateful I haven’t given up. I’ve started making and selling custom press ons which I’m extremely proud of as well.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

When I first started doing nails, it was more of a hobby to help me save money. It quickly became my passion and I knew that I wanted to take it as far as I could. I’m driven daily by knowing the kind of freedom in life that I want while also feeling fulfilled in what I do. I never thought I could ever be an artist of any kind so not my goal is to simply continue growing in my craft to be the best artist I can be.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A really hard lesson I had to unlearn is that the people closest to you will support you. I can’t tell you how many “friends” I have removed myself from for lack of support in any form. Removing myself from unsupportive people has made room for my life to be filled with clients and true friends to do love and support me in my business. I’ve learned that it’s rarely the people you want to be able to count on, but complete strangers that support you the most.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thegrabberguru
• Facebook: The Grabber Guru
• Other: TikTok: @thegrabberguru