Meet Lina Smith

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lina Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lina below.

Lina , thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us today. We’re excited to dive into your story and your work, but first let’s start with a broader topic that might be stopping many of our readers from pursuing their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. How have you managed to persist despite haters and nay-sayers that inevitably follow folks who are doing something unique, special or off the beaten path?

For the most part, I grew up in Raleigh. But no matter where I’ve lived, people have wished bad on me and tried to put out my fire my entire life. Through gossip and untrue rumors, physical abuse, character assassination, and even phony friendships to get close to me, people have worked to tear me down but they’ve also watched me do everything they said I couldn’t. And I take great pride in that. I never let anyone or anything change my heart. Not everyone is going to like me and I’m okay with that. I’m a good person, a good mother, and a great nail tech! I absolutely love what I do and I look at my work and the relationships I’ve built with my clients and know those are things NO ONE can take from me.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Lina and I am a Private Licensed Nail Technician. I have a private suite in Azia B’s Beauty Studios. I offer a plethora of nail services some of which are GelX extensions, Polygel, Acrylic, Builder Gel, Manicure, Pedicure, etc.

Being a nail tech is special to me because it’s truly my passion. Going through nail school, I cried…everyday. I was so into learning and perfecting my craft that I was very emotional. I was also pregnant at the time. I wanted so badly to be as good as the nail techs I followed on social media. Fast forward 2.5 years and I work in a salon with 3 of the techs I’d been following since school. They’re artistry is so inspiring to me and the ways we all support each other helps me to be a better nail tech also. Not to mention we were awarded Bronze for best nails in Raleigh 2024!

More than anything, my clients are what truly makes me the nail tech I am. I love each and every one of my clients! I can truly get along with anyone and that’s a blessing in this industry. I appreciate that most of my clients give me creative freedom to freestyle. I also have one that draws her designs for me and it’s my favorite thing to bring her visions to life and see the happy looks on my clients faces when they see their nails.

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?

Throughout this journey so far I’d say that persistence, discipline, and confidence were most impactful for me. There was a time where I had a client once every two months. And I still had to come up with suite rent every week, regardless of having clients or not. I cried, yelled, wanted to give up but I kept going because I believe if I truly love something and want certain things for myself then I will find a way to make it happen. I’d cried too much in school and come too far to give up just because it was hard. Azia B has been an amazing mentor and role model for me in all this and one of the main things she drilled in my head is to never give up if you truly want it. These days, I’m booked, blessed, and busy all because I haven’t given up. It’s a marathon, not a race.

My advice to anyone early in their business endeavors is to not give up. You can cry, you can take time to rest, but don’t ever give up on yourself. Sometimes you may need to take a different angle but don’t give up. Never forget how far you’ve already come, it helps to push you forward. Life is what YOU make it, so make it good. However that looks for YOU.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I am currently seeking a nursing home or companies that do in-home care. I would really enjoy being able to treat the people who don’t get much TLC. A 20 minute hand/foot massage, aroma therapy, and good conversation can change a persons day. Elders have to deal with arthritis and other muscle/joint pain that I can ease. My grandmother lives across the country in Washington where I’m from so I’m not able to pamper her the ways I wish I could. I figure, she can’t be the only one who needs some TLC right?

In May of this year, I was privileged to give hand massages to the staff at my children’s daycare. Being able to interact with them in a different space was quite fun and fulfilling. There is staff of all walks of life and all ages. One in particular was an elder lady who suffers from cancer and had never had a hand massage. The way she thanked me over and over for coming and giving the service just warmed me so much and got my wheels turning. I’d be honored to be able to partner up and get some folks some TLC!

If interested in collaborating, please email me at thegrabberguru@gmail.com

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thegrabberguru
• Facebook: Lina Smith