Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeniffer Arlene Sanchez.
Hi Jeniffer Arlene, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Jen. I am a 27 year old state board licensed nail technician. I started doing nails because my mom was a nail technician herself and growing up I watched her start her nail career. I come from a very artistic family, my father and brother work in dealerships in the automobile industry painting cars and doing pinstripes and art on low riders. Ever since I was a little girl I loved art, drawing, painting, anything related to art and my mom saw that passion and always pushed me towards the nail industry. Right before Covid in 2019 I got very sick and couldn’t go back to work for a little while and that’s when I began to practice doing nails and nail art on myself and on mannequins. When the pandemic hit in 2020 I had to leave my caregiving job for a while I decided to practice more on nail art with my mom. I created a TikTok and I reached millions of views but one day my TikTok account was banned and a couple of weeks later I unfortunately found out my mom had stage 4 triple negative rare cancer, I almost gave up doing nails but she kept trying to push me to get my license and finally dedicate my whole attention to nails, we decided I should take over her business that she was leaving behind, she connected me to some of her previous clients, so all the accomplishments I am achieving is also for my mom. I didn’t want to fail her or my son. I signed up for beauty school while taking care of my mom in hospice and taking care of my son who was just 11months old, she enjoyed watching me do school work while I took care of her. My mom passed away 2 weeks before I graduated as a nail technician and I missed a whole week taking care of her in hospice and still managed to graduate early in my class with A’s in all tests, if that doesn’t prove how dedicated I am to my career, I don’t know what does. So I’m also doing this dream and accomplishing new goals in the industry for the both of us, when you support my business you’re also supporting mine and my mom’s nail business
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Struggles along the way that I have encountered have been hearing the news my mom would lose her battle to stage 4 triple negative rare cancer and having to be placed in hospice, my mom was taking care of my son so I could work since I’m adoptive and have not much family, losing my 20k TikTok account which I’d receive many pr and gifted collaborations, getting my whole vbp collection stolen and having to replace most of my nail products
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in press on nails, russian gel manicures(hard gel/BIAB), gel x nails, acrylic nails, and nail art. I am most known for being a versatile nail tech, I can recreate any nail art and nails you’re looking for. I am most proud of my nail art and how long my nails last, what sets me apart from others is how I’ve been doing art my whole life,I educate all my clients on what products are best for them and how to achieve maximum retention so your nails last longer.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding a mentor is to find your niche, be consistent and keep pursuing your career. I’ve encountered so many struggles in my life mostly by losing my brother at a young age, and losing my mom while dealing with ppd, I lost all my nail supplies and I kept pushing in my career despite everything I encountered. My work shows how hard I poured into it while dealing with all this. Many of my sets are freestyles and show my emotions like when I created certain art and used certain colors
Pricing:
- • Russian gel manicure $65
- • Short gel-x full sets 1 color starting at $50
- • Short acrylic full sets 1 color starting at $60
- • Freestyle sets starting at $85
Contact Info:
- Website: https://velvetbeautysd.as.me/schedule/e287f169
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velvetbeautysd/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Velvetbeautysd
