Today we’d like to introduce you to Nayra Martinez.
Nayra, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
One day at my old job, I was a Customer relation manager for McDavid Honda Dealership. I worked there since August 2014, I was in my office and I liked my job but there was always something in the back of my mind that my job was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life even tho it provided for my family and I it was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, I knew I wanted to go to school/college but something in me knew it was not going to be medical school or dental hygienist. It was something I was interested but in my heart, I knew I was not going to be happy. During work, I would always catch my self-watching YouTube Videos of Nail Artists. creating amazing nail sets and watch the full-length video these videos would be 1 hour long and I would watch them all the time.
For New Year’s 2016 Resolution, one of my goals was to Attend Nails Tech School, The whole month of January I started researching about schools local in my area and I came across Tint Cosmetology School. The same day, I called the school and made an appointment to meet with one of the school advisors to set up a tour date and to receive more information about the nail tech program. I set a date and it was for the month of January, I remember walking into cosmetology school and being super nervous because I felt like I was going to sign up to something that I had no clue if I was going to be good at but I knew that my obsession for nails was insane and I had to figure out if this was my path in life and my career. I needed up touring the school I liked all the information they gave me about the school and so on. What I liked the most that it was going to be night school and I would be done with nail tech school in 6 months.
At this time, I am 20 years old, I would tell my cousins everything about my school plans and how I wanted to go to Nail tech school and get licensed, for my 20th birthday they surprised me with one of my favorite nail technicians for a hands-on beginners nail tech class. I was so excited and surprised I think it was meant to be because the class was on my exact birthday January 13th. After I attended Nova Nails class, I was so much more comfortable within my self that I could do this I could be a licensed nail technician I didn’t do that bad. By February 2016, I was a student enrolled in Nail Tech School. I was still working 7am-4pm and going to school from 5pm-9:30 pm Tuesday – Saturday. I was determined. All this is going on in my life and at home, I have my daughter Amelia that is one in a half years old, I was a new mom and trying to figure things out but I knew I had to do something for my self to be better for her and provide her with a great future. I had to sacrifice my time with her to have a career I could have not done it without my families support they were with me every step and always would let me know I could count on them and to not give up. I’m nothing without them. They are my rock.
Now, I am a licensed nail tech going on to 3 years. Have my own studio in Las Colinas in Irving, TX, & I love doing nails.
I now have expanded my self to Beginner/Intermediate Hands-On workshop just started my journey and I love teaching other my technique behind every set I create.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Some of my struggles along the way was building up my clientele and affording a suite. I thought I was never going to have enough clients to survive with out a full time job. I really wanted to do what I loved but I was to scared to throw my self all the way. Once I did after I graduated school, I wondered why I hadn’t done it sooner. I started doing nails at my moms house because the smell of the nail liquid was to strong to have my daughter smelling. I did nails at my mothers house for 6 months. Once I had built enough clientele, I decided to go look for a salon suite. I started to post my work on my Instagram and creating a brand for my self Nails By Nayra is me and it’s crazy how much I have grown over the years.
My advice to anyone starting their journey is never give up, push your self because only you can achieve your goals and strive for your own success. It’s going to be hard and you’re going to have to sacrifice things to succeed but the fruits of your success is the best feeling in the world. And once you have achieved that, it just continues from there on.
What should we know about Nails By Nayra Studio ? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am specialized in Natural nail care in my nail studio, I want to enhance each and every one of my clients nails. Whether it can be a simple gel polish manicure or a full set of nails with stones and a lot of designs, I want my clients to leave with a set of nails where they will receive compliments all the time and have them feel beautiful and secure that they are paying for quality and not quantity.
I am the most proud of as a brand, that my has always believed in customers come first and being my clients walk out of my studio makes me beyond happy.
I would say what sets me apart from others is that, I am who I am and I keep it true to my self and my style of nails. I never compare my self I always try my best to have my clients satisfied and happy, my studio is my creative sanctuary and I think it all shows on my work.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
As a woman, I believe we should not be fearful the world is for everyone and each person has there own success I say go for it. A lot of seminars and events and networking with other empowering woman has made me come out of my shel and it’s beautiful once you have broken that barrier and you become your own person and stand tall and strong.
Pricing:
- Gel Manicure $35
- Full Set $55
- Nail Designs $3 – $10
Contact Info:
- Address: 4040 N MacArthur Blvd e100, Irving, TX 76226
- Website: https://squareup.com/appointments/book/6VBCVGNQD186C/nails-by-nayra-studio-irving-tx
- Phone: 469-262-9435
- Email: nailsbynayra@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nailsbynayra/?hl=en
Image Credit:
Josh- Neoaffinity, Raul- Mindfullyexecuted
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