Today we’d like to introduce you to Janie Loyola.
Hi Janie , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
People are often surprised when I tell them that I was never really a “nail person.” My dream was always to work in the beauty industry, but my original goal was to become a barber. I tried teaching myself, but without friends or siblings to practice on, it was difficult. I knew I had potential, but I could also see my flaws and knew I needed more experience.
When I was 18, I enrolled in cosmetology school, but with two young children, ages 2 and 4, and the financial challenges that came with raising a family, it just wasn’t possible to continue. One of the instructors suggested I focus on one specialty at a time, but nails never crossed my mind. I never had my nails done myself only my toes.
Over the years, I experimented with different areas of the beauty industry, including hairstyling, makeup, permanent makeup, and lashes. While I enjoyed learning each skill and was good at some of them, none of them truly felt like my calling.
My sisters kept encouraging me to try nails, but I always laughed and said, “Nails just aren’t my thing.” It simply didn’t interest me the way it seemed to interest everyone else. I let the thought go of being in the beauty Industry for a few years.
One evening, while my family and I were having dinner, my sisters brought it up again. My sister-in-law searched for a nearby nail supply store and said, “Let’s just go.” Everyone agreed, so I finally gave in. At the store, one of the employees spent time talking with me about the industry, and before leaving, I purchased a small beginner nail kit.
When we got home, my sisters immediately volunteered to let me practice on them. We spent hours together, and something clicked. I realized not only that I was naturally good at it, but that I genuinely loved it. Doing nails became a form of therapy for me. It allowed me to disconnect from the outside world and completely focus on creating something beautiful.
At the time, I was working full-time as a manager while practicing nails at home. I would occasionally post photos of my sisters’ or cousins’ nails on Facebook, and before I knew it, people were messaging me asking how much I charged. Since I was still learning, I started charging just $25 a set to cover the cost of materials while I perfected my craft.
Balancing a full-time management position with a growing nail clientele quickly became overwhelming. Eventually, I told my kids that I was thinking about giving up nails altogether. By then they were 12 and 14 years old, and I’ll never forget what they said.
They looked at me and said, “Mom, don’t quit your dream. Quit your job instead.”
At first, I thought they were crazy. I had always viewed nails as a side hustle, not a career. But their belief in me made me think differently. I knew that if I wanted to make it work, I needed to become licensed, continue building my clientele, and fully commit.
Not long after, I unexpectedly lost my job. Instead of seeing it as the end, I chose to see it as God’s way of opening a new door. I took the last of my savings and used it as the down payment for manicure school.
Three months later, I graduated and earned my license.
To continue growing, I worked in several nail salons to gain professional experience while also building my own clientele from home. For two years, I successfully operated a fully equipped home nail studio. As my business continued to grow, it became increasingly difficult to balance being a wife, a mother, and a business owner all under one roof.
That’s when I made the decision to rent my first salon suite. It wasn’t glamorous, but it gave me the opportunity to separate work from home and continue growing.
Six months later, God opened another door. I moved into a larger, more luxurious salon suite where I could better serve my clients and continue building my brand. I spent months transforming the space into something that truly reflected my vision professional, welcoming, and unique.
About nine months later, another incredible opportunity presented itself: the chance to open my own salon.
Owning a salon wasn’t something I had planned on happening so soon, but every sign pointed me in that direction. With faith guiding every decision, I knew I couldn’t ignore the opportunity.
My husband and I spent three months completely remodeling the salon ourselves. We worked countless long days and sleepless nights, often from sunrise until sunset on our days off, doing everything with our own hands. Every wall, every detail, and every improvement represents our hard work, sacrifices, and unwavering faith.
Today, five years after buying that first beginner nail kit, I am proud to own my own salon.
What started as something I never imagined becoming my career has completely changed my life. Today, my salon is a space built on love, professionalism, and genuine care for every client who walks through the door. My vision continues to grow as I prepare to expand into a full-service beauty salon, with two private suites and three additional stations that will soon be available for other beauty professionals.
Looking back, every obstacle had a purpose. Every setback prepared me for something greater. None of this would have been possible without God’s guidance, my family’s encouragement, my husband’s unwavering support, and the incredible clients who believed in me from the very beginning.
I am beyond grateful for every lesson, every challenge, and every person who has been part of this journey. This is only the beginning, and I can’t wait to see what God has planned next.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Overall, I would say my journey has been pretty smooth, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t challenges. My biggest obstacle wasn’t the work itself it was the fear of not making it. Like many business owners, there were weeks when I didn’t have clients booked, and I would start questioning myself. I would wonder if I had made the right decision or if I would ever build the business I dreamed of.
Those slow weeks could be mentally exhausting, but instead of giving up, I kept showing up every day. I continued practicing my craft, marketing my business, investing back into myself, and trusting that God had a plan for me. Looking back now, those moments taught me patience, faith, and perseverance. They reminded me that building a successful business isn’t about never facing fear it’s about continuing to move forward despite it.
Even today, I still have moments where I question myself, but I’ve learned to trust the process. Every challenge has made me stronger, and every milestone reminds me that consistency, faith, and hard work always pay off.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Aga_Nails ?
Aga_Nails is more than a nail salon—it’s a space built with passion, faith, and genuine care for every client who walks through the door. I specialize in acrylic nails, Gel-X, builder gel, acrylic toes, pedicures, and medical pedicures. I love creating trendy, customized nail designs while also helping clients who have damaged or problematic toenails regain their confidence through restorative nail services.
What sets me apart is the experience I provide. My clients aren’t just another appointment on my schedule they become family. I believe in taking my time, listening to my clients, and making sure every service is done with quality rather than rushing to fit in more appointments. I want every person who sits in my chair to leave feeling beautiful, relaxed, and cared for.
One thing I’m especially proud of is that everything I’ve built has come from hard work, consistency, and faith. My husband and I built and remodeled our salon ourselves, and every step of this journey has been funded by reinvesting back into the business instead of taking shortcuts. Every improvement you see is the result of years of dedication and the support of my amazing clients.
Today, Aga_Nails is continuing to grow into a full-service beauty salon. My vision is to create a welcoming environment where talented beauty professionals can grow their own businesses alongside mine. I currently have private suites and salon stations that will soon be available to rent, allowing other entrepreneurs to build their dreams in a supportive, professional environment.
Above all, I want readers to know that Aga_Nails was built on faith, family, and perseverance. I’m incredibly grateful to God for guiding every step of my journey, to my husband and family for believing in my dream, and to every client who has trusted me over the years. Without them, none of this would have been possible. My goal has always been to make people feel confident, beautiful, and valued and I look forward to continuing that mission for many years to come.
What does success mean to you?
To me, success isn’t measured by money or how many businesses I own. Success is waking up every day doing something I genuinely love, providing for my family, and knowing I built something with hard work, honesty, and faith.
Success is seeing my clients leave my salon feeling more confident than when they walked in. It’s hearing that they trust me, continue to support my business, and recommend me to their friends and family. Those relationships mean more to me than anything.
I also define success by growth—not just professionally, but personally. Every challenge has taught me something, and every goal I’ve accomplished has reminded me that God’s timing is always perfect. Five years ago, I never imagined I would own my own salon. Today, I’m living a dream that once felt impossible.
Looking ahead, success for me means continuing to grow Aga_Nails into a full-service beauty salon while creating opportunities for other beauty professionals to grow their own businesses. If I can inspire someone else to take a chance on themselves the way I did, then I know I’ve truly succeeded.
Most importantly, success is being able to look back at my journey with gratitude, knowing that I stayed true to myself, never gave up, and trusted God every step of the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://book.heygoldie.com/Aga-nails
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aga__nails?igsh=MWZmOG1wZGlldXc3OQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/187UqMjBxm/?mibextid=wwXIfr
