Today we’d like to introduce you to Athena Tuvera
Hi Athena , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve loved doing my nails for as long as I can remember. When I was little, I used to steal my mom’s nail polish so I could paint my nails. That transitioned into watching YouTube videos and learning how to do nail art on myself. However, when I was graduating high school, I wanted a cute set of acrylic nails to wear for graduation. I quickly realized how expensive going to a salon was, and I did not want to spend any more money at a salon.
In college, I started doing my own gel-x nails and eventually moved on to press-on. As I gained more experience in the craft, I began to document my journey of doing nails, and it gained a lot of attention from my friends and peers.
My friends’ support and eagerness to have a nail set made by me prompted me to start the business in the first place. Without them, I am not sure I would be where I am now!
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?
Like anything in life, nothing good comes easy. There have been a lot of times when I have felt uninspired and wanted to stop, but it is the people who continuously support me that keep me going.
One of the biggest struggles I run into the most is time. Because each and every set is handmade, it takes me a lot of time to craft everything to my standards. There have been a lot of days when I have late nights, and I do not have the energy to make nail sets, but it always gets done.
Finding a good work-life balance is something that most people struggle with, but it is especially hard when you run a small business and work other jobs. I have learned that the best thing to do is just to stop for a moment and take a deep breath. Finding pockets of peace throughout my day is what keeps me going!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a press-on nail artist, and I make nail sets for all people, aesthetics, events, etc. I have made sets for concerts, festivals, holidays, birthdays, and weddings!
I like to think that I am unique because I can make something for everyone! There is no set aesthetic that I choose to follow. Instead, I like being able to materialize other people’s biggest dreams and desires!
Something that I am proud of in my work is that everything is one of one and unique. Even when I have sets with similar themes, I try my best to make each set different so that the people who wear them can feel as special as the nails!
What’s next?
In the future, I hope to expand my Seahive stores (and possibly add more storefront products to my repertoire)! I also recently started a “Build Your Own Nail Set Station” booth at local markets and I would love to continue to do that!
I am looking forward to creating even more unique sets in the future! I have a few holiday collections planned for next year, so I am excited to start on those! I also recently hired a social media manager, and we have been brainstorming a lot about what the new year will look like!
Pricing:
- Nail sets range from $20-$100+
- The average cost of a premade set is $33
- The average cost of a custom is $50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tooveraanails.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tooveraa.nails
Image Credits
Marcus Larkins
