We’re looking forward to introducing you to Rachel Lopez-Bagan. Check out our conversation below.
Rachel, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I’m in the middle of reconnecting with myself and figuring out what my priorities truly are. I’ve spent a lot of time chasing the approval of others—through accomplishments and doing what I thought I was supposed to be doing with my life. Over the past year, I’ve really started to look at that and re-evaluate what actually matters to me. What do I consider success? Where do I want to dedicate my time and energy?
My priorities are slowly shifting away from achievements as the measure of success, and more toward focusing on my mental health and happiness as the gauge for how “successful” I feel in my life. I have a young daughter, and becoming a mother has definitely helped kickstart this shift in perspective. It’s pushed me to turn inward—prioritizing my own well-being and sanity—and to let go of measuring my value based on the opinions of others.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure! My name is Rachel, and I’m the artist behind Play Grnd Nails. I’ve been in the press-on game since 2021—thanks to an absolutely wild year that led me to discover this unexpected passion. By trade, I’m a graphic designer specializing in branding and web design (Play Grnd Design), and I love translating graphic design elements into badass, hand-painted nail art.
Art and painting have always been huge parts of my life, and getting into press-ons has become such a fun, fulfilling way to reconnect with that creative side of myself. Nails have long been part of my identity and self-expression, so when the pandemic hit and I lost access to the usual routines—like going to the salon—I took it as a chance to learn how to do my own. I started with dip powder (hated how it wrecked my nails), then moved on to designing my own decals (fun, but not quite the full painted vibe I was craving). Eventually, I found gel nail tips and started experimenting with press-ons—and I was instantly hooked.
In 2022, I became a mom, and after going through a whirlwind shift in identity, press-ons once again helped me reconnect with myself. It might sound silly, but being able to have great nails and express my style through them has meant so much as I navigate this new chapter. (Not to mention I now have zero minutes to spend at a salon!) Press-ons have become a powerful creative outlet—and a way to share killer nail art with the world.
From my home studio, I also design, 3D print, and build custom tools for fellow nail artists and press-on lovers. It’s been such a cool way to combine creativity, design, and problem-solving to support this awesome community.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I think a big part of what I saw as my core identity was this constant drive to be successful. I definitely lean toward the workaholic end of the spectrum—and while that mindset has helped me build a successful business, it hasn’t done much for my mental or physical health.
Lately, I’ve been shifting into a new phase where I’m really trying to prioritize true work-life balance. I want to build something that not only supports me and my family financially but also allows us to enjoy life in a sustainable, healthy way. I don’t want to keep running myself into the ground and missing out on actually being present with the people I love.
It’s not an easy transition, and I’m far from perfect at it—but I’m slowly making progress. I’m working on setting up a more balanced structure and, in the process, finding joy in my work again—now that it’s not taking over my life or becoming a constant source of stress and resentment.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes! There have definitely been moments where I felt like I wasn’t good enough or had made a mistake thinking I could turn this into a successful business. I decided to go full-time with press-ons when my daughter was just under a year old, which honestly felt like a crazy thing to even attempt.
I remember one month in particular when I barely had any orders coming in. I had very little childcare, so I was working during naptime (when that even happened) and late at night after my daughter went to bed. It felt like I was stuck in a constant uphill battle. On top of that, I was still processing a huge emotional transition into motherhood, which took a lot more time and energy than I expected.
It felt like I’d missed my window—that I didn’t have the time, resources, or even the skills to keep going. I seriously questioned whether I could make it work.
But I ended up having a heart-to-heart with my husband about strategy and how to move forward. I also tapped into some amazing resources and found a supportive network that helped me shift my mindset. I started treating this like a successful business, even if it didn’t quite feel like one yet.
I’m eternally grateful for The Press On CEO Method (an education platform I’m part of for press-on artists), and for the friends and family who pushed me, supported me, and reminded me that I can actually do this.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
For a long time, I was really attached to the idea that if you just work hard enough, you can “fix” or “achieve” anything on your own. I saw asking for help as unreliable—and honestly, as a recipe for disappointment. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that’s just not true. That belief came from a place of fear—fear of giving up control or admitting that I can’t do everything without paying a cost.
Because I can theoretically do it all, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking I should, or that I’m the only one who can do it “right.” But I’ve been working hard to let go of that mindset and to accept help when I need it. I’m learning to see that not as a weakness, but as a strength.
By asking for and receiving help, I’m able to lean into my actual strengths—instead of constantly stretching myself past my limits. And that’s been a big shift for the better.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
Yes! Honestly, this is the happiest I’ve been in a long time when it comes to work. I absolutely love getting to paint for a living and create beautiful nails that help my clients feel like themselves and give them a boost of confidence. There’s something so special about waking up, sitting down, and hand-painting tiny works of art that people get to wear. Some days, I still can’t believe this is actually my job.
I also really love designing products for my fellow artists. I’ve never had a brand that’s entirely mine—where I get to call the shots on how things look, how they function, and what kind of art I put out into the world. It’s incredibly fulfilling to have that creative freedom and ownership.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.playgrndnails.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playgrndnails/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/playgrndnails/
https://www.tiktok.com/@playgrndpressons
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