Meet Carolina Missett | Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carolina Missett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carolina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was rooted in purpose, representation, and community. I didn’t start Cataleya’s Nail Salon & Boutique just to open another salon—I built it to create a space that didn’t exist for us. A space where Latina creatives, entrepreneurs, and artists could have visibility, opportunity, and a platform to grow.

I wanted to build something that combined beauty, culture, empowerment, and business under one roof. A place where women could walk in and feel seen, supported, inspired, and taken care of—to relax, to heal, and to experience service with intention. But also a place where small-business owners could thrive. That meant creating a boutique that now houses 20 businesses, giving them exposure, sales, and community they may have never had access to on their own.

At the same time, I have always believed in giving back and creating opportunities for others—youth programs, nonprofits, Latina-owned businesses, local artists, and anyone who just needs a chance. My business model intentionally weaves in philanthropy, collaboration, and community-driven events, because I don’t believe we grow alone. We rise together.

Cataleya’s was born from the ups and downs of my own life—family struggles, caretaking, legal challenges, and having to fight for everything I’ve built. Being my own general contractor, dealing with permits, building out the space, managing staff, designing the boutique, creating policies, and building a brand from scratch while navigating personal battles taught me one thing: I am capable of more than anyone ever expected me to be.

My thought process was simple but powerful:
Create a place where culture meets creativity.
Create a platform where others can grow.
Create a business that stands on purpose.
Create a legacy for my children.

Cataleya’s Nail Salon & Boutique isn’t just a business.
It’s community.
It’s empowerment.
It’s resilience.
It’s my story—and the stories of everyone who walks through our doors.

What should our readers know about your business?
Cataleya’s Nail Salon & Boutique is more than a business — it’s a living, breathing community space. What sets us apart is that we’re not just a salon; we’re a culturally rooted, inclusive, Latina-owned beauty hub that blends artistry, community, and entrepreneurship under one roof. At Cataleya’s, our clients don’t just come in for nails — they come for connection, for culture, for inspiration, and to support over 30 local small-business vendors who share our space. We’re a hybrid: a nail salon, a boutique, a creative hub, and a home.

I’m incredibly proud of the environment we’ve built — one that feels like family, where our clients bring their kids, their pets, their stories, and instantly feel welcomed. I’m most excited about how our team has grown into their artistic identities, how our boutique partners have flourished, and how we’ve become a space that uplifts everyone around us. Seeing my staff win, seeing women of color thrive, and seeing our community feel seen — that’s what fuels me.

But it wasn’t easy getting here.
I didn’t come from investors or a safety net — I built this while navigating some of the deepest losses a person can experience. I lost my son to suicide, and shortly after, I lost my husband, my father, and my brother — all within a very short period of time. These were the men who shaped my life, who protected me, who guided me, and who loved me without conditions. They were my warriors, my anchors, and losing all of them felt like losing every layer of protection I had left in the world.

There were moments when I didn’t know how to keep moving. But their memories — their strength, their sacrifices, and the belief they had in me — became the fire that pushed me forward. I chose to honor them by building something beautiful, something solid, something that gives back. Through that pain, I learned that grief can break you open but it can also rebuild you into someone stronger.

What I’ve learned along the way is that navigating business and love is one of the hardest, but most important, lessons of entrepreneurship.
Balancing the love I have for my team, my clients, my community — and the love I pour into this business — with the structure, boundaries, and discipline that leadership requires has shaped me more than anything else.

I learned that:
• You can love people and still hold them accountable.
• You can lead with heart while still protecting your business.
• Not everyone you care for will understand the sacrifices you make as a business owner.
• And sometimes, love means making decisions that hurt in the moment but protect the long-term vision.

Building Cataleya’s taught me that love is a strength, not a weakness — as long as it’s balanced with wisdom, boundaries, and clarity.

What I want the world to know about my brand is this:
Cataleya’s is living proof that you can create a space that honors culture, creativity, and community all at once. We celebrate diversity. We empower women. We provide a platform for artists and small-business owners who don’t always get opportunities. Every service, every vendor, every collaboration we host is part of a bigger mission: to uplift people.

What I want people to know about me is simple:
I am a mother first, a fighter by necessity, and an entrepreneur by destiny. Everything I’ve built comes from love, resilience, and the belief that our community deserves beautiful, safe, inspiring spaces too.

Cataleya’s is not just my story — it’s our story. And we’re just getting started.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my friend came to visit for a full week, I’d definitely make it unforgettable. We’d start by eating and drinking at Sana Sana—one of our favorite spots with the best energy, amazing food, and a vibe that always feels like home. Then we’d catch a show at The Van Buren if there’s something good playing, or hit a basketball game, because that’s one of our go-to ways to have fun together.

Between good food, good music, and good entertainment, that’s exactly the kind of week that makes the best memories for us.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate my shoutout first to my mom, for always being hard on me in the ways that shaped my resilience. I never imagined I would become my own boss, but her strength became the foundation for mine.

I also dedicate this to my son, who passed from suicide during one of the darkest seasons of my life. When I thought I would never get back up again, the memories of his love, his sacrifices, and the way he believed in my future reminded me to keep going. He is still my why.

And lastly, my team — without their support, loyalty, and love, I wouldn’t have found the community I had been missing for so long. They remind me every day that we rise together.

Website: Cataleyasnailsalon.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cataleyasnailsphx?igsh=MXcwYTRpeHd2aWhzMg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Twitter: www.tiktok.com/@cataleyanailsphoenix

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BnFKLgxvu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits
Selfie SpotlightTribePhotography