ELIZABETH PINEDA | NAIL ARTIST AND CREATOR | ANAHEIM, CA

by - 7:00 AM

Meet Elizabeth Pineda who currently resides in Anaheim, CA. She is a nail artist who makes the dopest acrylic nails. During the pandemic she became innovative and launched her press on nails so you could beautify yourself while still social distancing. A true business person definitely can mold their business to work with the economy, that is exactly what Elizabeth did. And this babeprenuer is only 22 year old!




HI ELIZABETH! WHAT RAD THING DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?

I am an aspiring nail tech and a nail artist. Aside from nails, I work as a server at a cafe.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND HOW/WHERE YOU GREW UP

I was born and raised in Anaheim. My mom and dad came to the U.S from Mexico and gave birth to 3 children here. I have an older sister, who is 26 years old, and a younger brother who is 21. I am 22 years old, making me a middle child. I have a huge passion for art! Growing up I was always artistic, every school project that I had I always went above and beyond to make it the best and most unique out of my whole class. I actually met my best friend in our junior high class because when i was in 7th grade i had an obsession with nail polish. I painted my nails a different color everyday! One day my classmate who sat behind me, who is now my best friend, tapped me on the shoulder and asked me “Why do you paint your nails a new color everyday?” and that is what started our friendship.


TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY

In high school I always knew I wanted to be a nail artist, but growing up in my Mexican household my dad always wanted me to strive to become a doctor. Deep down I knew that wasn't what I really wanted to do with my life. One day when I told my dad that I wanted to do nails after I graduated high school, he said no and instead he pushed me into changing my nail dream and pursuing something different. Right away he told me that I would not succeed as a nail artist and that I wouldn't make a good income. That is when I forgot about my passion and tried to do what made my dad happy. Later on when I graduated, I lost myself a little bit. I struggled with anxiety and at my age it was very difficult, especially when I kept it to myself a lot of the time. I would overthink a lot whenever I thought about what I wanted to do in the future. I didn't want to disappoint my dad but I also didn't want to do something that I wouldn't be happy with. After a couple years, I decided it was time to just go for it and start my nail classes. I had finally realized that this was MY life, I'm going to be the one that had to wake up and go to work everyday... So why would I want to wake up and go to a job that I hated for the rest of my life? At that time I was in a really good place in my life and my boyfriend of 6 years encouraged me a lot to start my nail journey. He was a really good role model since he is a business owner himself. Watching him build his business from the ground up inspired me to strive for my dreams as well despite what my family thinks. That was what led to me starting my nail classes and what started my nail journey!


TELLS US ABOUT OBSTACLES AND CHALLENGES YOU MAY HAVE FACED IN YOUR JOURNEY AND HOW YOU OVERCAME THEM

Some obstacles I have faced are 1) My family. For so long I didn't want to disappoint them and I was always scared to go after what I wanted in fear of them not believing in me. It took awhile for me to realize that I could not continue to let them hold me back. I continuously told myself that I just had to go for it and believe in myself. 2) Hanging with the wrong crowd. Some of my friends didn't react the way that I expected them to. A lot of them at the time didn't have the same mindset that I had, so it was hard for me to talk about my business with them without coming off as a “show off”. I didn't have those encouraging friends who pushed me to do better, but in the end it helped me become stronger and taught me that i can only depend on myself.


WHAT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED TO DO YOUR BEST? 

Usually what keeps me motivated is listening to motivational podcasts, manifesting, and following successful women on Instagram. I follow a ton of successful business women on Instagram and it honestly pushes me so much! Erika Gonzalez, @casualallure on Instagram, is one of my favorite accounts to follow! She owns a clothing store called Gypsy Queen which she started with her mom in a small trailer that she redesigned herself. Now her shop has expanded so much and has become well known on Instagram. It's really all about following accounts that encourage you to better yourself and that also remind you that everyone is human.


HOW WOULD YOU LEVEL UP OTHER WOMEN?

I like to use my Instagram platform as a way to encourage other girls/women to go after their dreams and to not give up on themselves. I often post quotes, share my story, and try really hard to show my followers that they too can follow their hearts and that everyone grows at different rates. That is one thing that I always try to get across to my followers. Everyone grows differently and everyone has different struggles. We shouldn't compare each other because there are so many things that others go through that they don't post about.


RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SOMEONE WHO WOULD WANT TO BE IN YOUR CAREER/FIELD? 

Some recommendations for someone who is interested in a nail career would be to follow some nail artists who inspire you, talk to women who you see are successful and don't be afraid to ask for tips and help. Listening to podcasts is really helpful for me, some of my favorite podcasts are “Women Inspiring Women” by Melani Mitro and  “EmpowerHER” by Kacia Fitzgerald. They both talk about women empowerment and really motivate me. I like to listen to podcasts when I need a little reminder to keep going or when i'm practicing some nail art. Some of my fav Instagram accounts to follow are @casualallure who is so motivational and also is so true to herself; @chaunlegend who is an amazing nail tech that works on celebrities, @noodle_yess who is another amazing nail artist, @amyserrano who talks a lot about self love and self care, and @nailthoughts who is a nail tech who has the most amazing, outgoing, funny personality! She was kind enough to start a blog on tips to make your own press ons, tips on packaging, she shares what brands she uses, and even shows some tutorials on nail art. Each of these accounts set an awesome example of why you should just go for your dreams!



WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF/BUSINESS IN THE FUTURE (3-5 YRS)

In 3-5 years I see myself owning my own nail salon, owning my own home, creating new nail art in hopes to inspire others, and just all around helping other aspiring nail artists. I get so excited thinking about owning my own salon in the future! My very own salon that I can decorate and call mine! How crazy is that?! I only started my nail journey a year ago, so everyday I still continue to learn something new, set new goals for myself, and grow even more. Every month I set new goals, so I am looking forward to the goals i'll have set for myself in 3-5 years. I just hope to be an example to others and remind them that they can become anything they set their mind to, even if their family/friends don't believe in them.


CAN YOU RECOMMEND A LOCAL SPOT YOU LOVE THAT OTHERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT? 

A small business that I love going to whenever i am craving something fruity is this place called Cascada Refrescante in Buena Park. They have some yummy fruit smoothies that are so dang refreshing and satisfy your sweet tooth!!!!











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