Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Barrera.
Hi Valerie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am 30 years old, a mother, and a wife. I been doing nails for 7 years now, and love to tell you a little about my nail journey.
I have been in the beauty industry my whole life. My mother has been doing nails for 30 years, so watching her build her business and her career really inspired me to do the same. My daughter also played a big part in me going to school and starting my career as well. I went to Vogue Cosmetology school and graduated in Nov. 2015.
I started doing nails at home for about a year, then I went into business with my mom in Nov. 2017. It was a huge move for me I didn’t have clientele built up and I was still in the beginner stage. It was very hard for me at first business was very slow, so I talked to a few friends, and they all advised me to start an Instagram account. I started the account and posted my work started using hashtags and brought a little more traffic in!
Man, what social media can do. Towards the end of 2018, I started following a nail brand called Valentino Beauty Pure, David (the CEO) posted a nail battle, and I entered the contest and got noticed by the company which was super exciting because knowing I was still growing my business and my following wasn’t that big, I still stood out to them.
Unfortunately, I didn’t win the battle but that didn’t stop me I continued to work hard and learned new ways to perfect my craft continued to tag and hashtag on IG and sure enough I was getting noticed more and more, I had finally felt my business growing. In May of 2019, I got asked by the producers of SA Live if I can go in to do a segment live of summer-themed nails, of course, I said yes!
I went up there to the studio with my models and the designs I did, it was such a great experience and definitely would do it again. Two months later, I was Nominated and awarded Best Nail Salon by Ksat 12 and SA Current, I had been working so hard the past two years it was finally paying off.
August of 2019, I had gotten Valentino Beauty Pure down to San Antonio to host a nail class, San Antonio isn’t really recognized for holding classes like this for nails, so it was an experience to have that happen. So being trained by Valentino Educator Chelly really also helped me on my nail journey as well to perfect my craft. In this nail industry you really do not stop learning no matter how long you been doing this, continuing education is key!
September 2019 the best thing in my 4 years of doing nails finally happened! I got the news I had Officially become an ambassador for Valentino Beauty Pure. This was a goal I worked for almost a whole year, and it happened! 3 years later to today I have my own suite now, I have steady clientele, and still an ambassador with Valentino.
It was a long road to get where I am there were many times I wanted to just give up, but I did it and it does not stop here. I plan to grow more over the years this isn’t the end, so keep a look out! Follow me on IG @nailsbyvalerie14 and continue to be on this journey with me!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
To be completely honest it wasn’t easy. Some of the struggles was building clientele when starting off, constantly staying persistent on promoting myself.
Knowing my worth, setting my prices, especially learning and keeping up with the latest trends. Having your own businesses there is always going be some struggle along the way but this is the way you learn. It personally has taught me a lot.
No matter what obstacle I came across I always just keep striving, keeping a positive attitude and knowing no matter what that I got this. Every day, I’m still learning and still finding ways to improve myself and my business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am proud that my business represents Valentino Beauty Pure that is the biggest accomplishment being an ambassador for them, but main goal is to be an educator for Valentino one day. I offer gel manicures, and acrylic nails, and soon I will be adding tooth bling to my services.
I try often to put out specials and I also do giveaways on sets too; I always love to give back for all the support and love I get. You can always head to my Instagram to see all my services as well.
What matters most to you?
Helping others matters most to me, because I want to see every person trying to grow their career succeed, and if I am able to help them in any part of that I will.
There is room for everyone to grow in this business and if anyone ever needs advice or help, I am always ready to share my knowledge with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nailsbyvalerieSA.as.me/
- Instagram: @nailsbyvalerie14
