We were lucky to catch up with Veronica Luviano recently and have shared our conversation below.
Veronica , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I would say an event that marked my life and completely increased my capacity to withstand difficulties was moving here to USA in my teen years.
I had two options: Letting this life change break me, or make me.
I was 15, entering a new school in a new country , new language, not in the best financial position.
Overcoming that, on top of having to get a job and purchasing my first car so I could go to school really thought me that I could do ANYTHING.
To me, the only way to overcome and reach your goals is by not giving up while making the best decisions based on your resources and abilities. Excuses stunt our growth !
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Veronica Luviano , I was born in Monterrey Mexico . I moved here to Dallas with my family in late 2008.
After graduating High School I attended community college for a little while with the intention of becoming a Radiology Tech. However, I reached a point where I couldn’t afford tuition as I was paying out of pocket, that along with my immigration status forced me to opt for a different route.
In 2013 I decided to sign up for beauty school and get my manicurist license.
I have always been a creative person and would design my own nails and people would ask me who did them all the time haha. One day while at work ,I came across a business card with the title “Nail Technician” , and didn’t hesitate to call this lady and ask her for information. I ended up starting school the following week ! I was over working at restaurants or food related jobs, I really wanted to try something different that I actually enjoyed.
After getting licensed, I worked for a few different salons. I learned a lot from every experience, for what kind of nails I liked to do , to what I didn’t like !
It was when I started building clientele when I became more passionate about this career and industry.
The fact that I could do what I was good at, do what I love, get to know new people, make someone else’s day brighter, and get paid ?! How amazing was that ?
I decided to take the leap of faith and work for myself in 2016, and named my business “Nailed Up”
I love learning in general, but when it comes to nails and nail techniques I dive deep!
I started to invest in classes for new techniques and that hasn’t stopped lol it never will . This year (2016) I started to offer classes as well , which has become a passion of mine. I love sharing my knowledge to students and team and helping them gain more confidence to become the best version of themselves!!
I have attended to many master classes and trainings from national and international masters, which gave me so much confidence in my work as a Nail Artist and Instructor.
This reflected on my work and I started to get deals with big brands and celebrities such as Ariana Grande , Neiman Marcus , Doce & Gabbana
In 2018, my mom joined me on this journey after getting her license.
In 2019, we moved to a bigger location and were able to fit in more tables and extra pedi chair which allowed me to start hiring and build a team. My sister joined us as Receptionist as well ! ( And eventually becomes our head lash tech and a very talented licensed tech)
In 2022 we moved to an even bigger location in OakCliff, which is our current location (not for long!).
We have been OakCliff’s #1 Nail Salon 2022-2023 and D’Magazines best Mani-Pedi.
Nailed Up Salon has been successful because the women that are part of it are fierce, strong, kind, and hard working.
The values of my company reflect on my team and our clientele and we have built a beautiful community of people with incredible positive energy and personality. We love what we do and love that our clients appreciate the work it takes to deliver a quality service and art.
In 2022 I started to dive into competitions, I attended my first one in Mexico , Nailympia Mexico City.
This year 2024 I Competed in Nailympia Germany 2024 brining home a 2nd place medal! Which I’m very proud of. My next competition is in Mexico in July this year, wish me luck !
Currently we are in the process of moving to a new location!
This location is bigger and will become Nailed Up Salon+ Academy.
I am extremely grateful and feel very blessed to be able to have this amazing company, teach future generations of Artist and pushing myself to compete and become my best version of Teacher , Artist, Business owner, and person in general. Without my team and my family , I could never.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
-Be disciplined always. Motivation comes and goes, it’s not always here. You have to have enough will power to do it anyways, even when you don’t feel like it. -Find your mentors. Who is doing what you would love to learn to do, has done it or has the skills that will help you level up your game ?
Find access to them , see who is teaching and take a class, surround yourself with peers with more experience than you. Be intimated it’s okay , and learn from the experts. Only take professional advice from people that have done it.
-Be a good person. I am a true believer that when you do good , good comes back. It has worked for me. And always trust your gut.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
The Four agreements has been a book I always go back to at least one a year.
It has helped me develop a sense of peace, in my personal and professional life.
“Be impeccable with your word”, “Do not take anything personally”, “Do not make assumptions”, and “Always do your best”.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nailed-up.com/
- Instagram: @Nailedupbyvero
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veronica.soto.940?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: Google Nailed Up https://g.co/kgs/Wk5eCB2
Image Credits
Alexandra Castillo photographer
