Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriela Olalde.
Hi Gabriela, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my nail journey back in 2021. After the craziness of COVID beauty schools finally began to open back up again and during the lockdown I was always doing my own nails. On a whim I decided to start taking night classes at Palomar Institute of Cosmetology. There is spend about 4 months learning the basics of nails, from diseases to sanitation I learned that nails isn’t just nails, it was much more complex than I expected. Still I had a desire and curiosity to continue learning. After completing my required hours, I was lucky enough to be scouted by a nail salon and there I started as a receptionist (since I still wasn’t technically licensed). This allowed me to shadow other nail techs there and learn modern services and products. I loved my time there but in my heart I knew that my dream was to be my own boss, so after about 10 months there I made the decision to booth rent at a space with a friend from beauty school. There I spent the next 3 years learning more in my craft and expanding my client base. As clients came and went I’m so appreciative of everyone who has sat in my chair and thankful for my day 1 clients who have stuck with me through moving. Then in 2025 I made the decision to go to Beauty Bungalows in downtown vista. This was so nerve wracking because I wasn’t sure if all the clients that I had accumulated through my 3 years would stick with me, but if it was easy then everyone would do it. Now I am going on my second year here and in one of the busiest years of my career. I’ve invested so much time and money into my business and I’m now seeing the fruits of my labor. Looking back I forget the things I had to go through and the lessons I’ve had to learn to get to where I am today, I felt like an imposter at times not deserving of the things I had but now I know that everyone’s paths are different and comparison truly is a thief of joy. Although at times I do compare myself I also know I need to remind myself that everything has to happen in its own time and I am right where I’m meant to be because 19 year old me that now at 24 years old people are booking me out 1-2 months in advance. Believing in myself and with the support of family and clients I am most deserving of where I am today.
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?
Working for someone else has its privileges for sure but while working in someone else’s salon I found myself being rushed and highly compared to other techs there despite only starting out. I struggled to find my voice to tell my boss how I was feeling, I mean I was 19 barely starting out in the industry and using products I never learned how to use in school. That’s another thing- school, although it taught me well it definitely was not modernized and our instructor wasn’t fully a manicurist, she mainly focused in hair for her career which is great for her but not so much for my class so her methods were outdated. So when I was in that salon setting I definitely loved working with other women but comparison really made me doubt myself and doubt if this was something I wanted to pursue. So I decided to struggle more! Booth rent with almost no clients! During this time I would book clients whenever I could while also working part time at staples and going to school part time too. Learning to market myself on social media was the best thing I could’ve done. Instagram, face book, flyers even putting myself on groupon I was just trying to get my name out there. It was tough especially when I started taking money out of my savings just to pay my rent. The biggest struggle honestly was myself, I was my own biggest mountain that I had to climb, lost of muddy trails and unstable rocks the road in my brain felt long and grueling. So in that struggle I gave myself grace and took it one day at a time, because the worst that could happen? Well I lose the booth and everything I worked for but I still had the support of my parents so onward I went on the hike up to see the summit because the dream never left and I knew my journey was not finished.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I do nails! I specialize in gel products, meaning soft gel, hard gel, poly gel, gel x. I love working on natural nails and helping clients achieve their natural nail dreams. But I also offer extensions for my ladies who want that immediate desired length. I love creating art on your little nails, I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember I love to paint and draw and to challenge myself on designs. If your up for it then so am I! Art isn’t fast or easy especially when working on such a small canvas but seeing the end result and being able to have my clients leave feeling fully happy with their nails is what I strive to achieve. I love being able to have my monthly catch ups with clients, give me the run down of your life! Talking is therapy and we’ll be sitting together for at least an hour so I want to get to know who I’m holding hands with. But I also love being able to give my clients a calm and serene space, in my studio you’ll find dimmed lights with fun pops on neon around, I’ll usually be playing a sitcom or watching a true crime documentary on the tv. Yes lets catch up but I know sometimes this is the only quiet my clients have and I love the fact that you can sit in my chair, have a drink or a snack and kick it to some nice shows. The chaos of traditional nail salons can be overstimulating, but in my space you can chat with me, or have a relaxing time watching your favorite show.
How do you define success?
To me success is being able to wake up everyday to a loving and healthy home. That I am able to have balance between my work and personal life. Starting out I would definitely prioritize taking clients whenever possible, because I was desperate to get clients but now I have successfully created a fully booked business. Having set days when I work and be able to have a personal life outside of work. There are sometimes no days off but I know that even on the days when I am slow or feeling overwhelmed I am grateful that I am able to do the nails I do. I think success is always changing and I always need to celebrate the smallest wins too because the small wins are what eventually lead to your biggest triumphs.
Pricing:
- Hard Gel Overlay $75
- Soft Gel Overlay $70
- GelX $70
- Nail Art starting at $15
- Hard Gel/ Poly Gel Extensions $70
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gabysnailbar.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabysnailbar
