Meet Gretel Vazquez | Nail Technician

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

Hi Gretel, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I own my own business as a nail technician. I am mostly known for my nail designs and character art. I decided to pursue nail design as a full-time career because I have always needed to have a creative outlet as a way to ground myself and also as a way to make an impact. I have been creative since I was a child. Growing up I experimented with the arts ranging from singing, playing multiple instruments to painting. I high school I started exploring beauty more specifically makeup. For my generation, the online beauty community has provided a way for people to find a sense of belonging. When I was pregnant with my daughter, my interest in beauty expanded into nails and nail art. While I held a few 9-5 jobs in the past, I decided that starting my business by providing nail services would be a good way for me to have ownership of my career while still getting to explore my creativity.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a nail technician based in Tucson, Arizona. I specialize in acrylic nails and custom press-on nail sets. When I used to go get my nails done I felt like a lot of nail salons would always try to limit the service I wanted to get. They would say no to custom designs or would ask to make modifications to a design I really wanted. At the end of the day, I felt like I was paying for a service I did not want and felt uncomfortable for something that was part of my self-care routine. When I made the decision to start my own business I wanted to make sure I was providing a customized experience not just a service. I was inspired to create a brand that was synonymous with top notch customer service and high quality nails. I am convinced one of the mail reasons my clients keep returning if because I create an atmosphere of trust and relaxation. My clients can come in and ask for what they actually want and know that is exactly what they will get. I don’t rush through my appointments and I try to do special things for them like small promotional items or even home made cookies. I want to make sure my clients know that they are important and appreciated.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Tucson, AZ and Tucson is recognized as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy which means there are great places to enjoy food. Some of the places I would recommend for someone visiting Tucson for the first time include: Prep & Pastry, Charro Steak and Del Rey, The Cup at Hotel Congress and the HUB. If you are looking for authentic tacos and Sonoran hot dogs I would recommend Guero Canelo. Tucson also has plenty of activities including Broadway shows at Centennial Hall and concerts at the Rialto. I would also recommend a trip to Old Tucson, Tucson Botanical Gardens, the zoo and the San Xavier del Bac Mission. Lastly, I would recommend a drive to Sabino Canyon and Mt. Lemon.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I think that I have been able to grow my business and my craft thanks to the support and encouragement from my family and friends. I also think that becoming a parent has given me an immense amount of motivation because I want to be able to teach my daughter that hard work pays off and that you should always be able to pursue your passions. I am also thankful to my online beauty community as they provide a venue for my to share my creativity while also getting inspired as I continue to learn and perfect my techniques. Lastly, my clients are a huge source of support and inspiration. They are the reason my business continues to thrive and they provide a huge sense of professional fulfillment because they are appreciative of the level of customer service I provide and they cheer me on as I take advantage of new opportunities such as this interviews.

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