Rising Stars: Meet Caitlin Martinez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin Martinez.

Hi Caitlin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Caitlin Martinez, I am 27 years old & from Whittier, CA. It all started with my boyfriend buying me a gel x kit for my bday in 2019! At the time, I had no intentions of making this my full-time career, let alone start doing anyone else except my own nails. I started doing my own nails at the start of 2020 & dabbled with my sister and mom a little. Fast forward to March 2020 & everyone was dying to get their nails done. I didn’t think anything of it again, but my dad & my boyfriend started telling everyone they knew, “Hey, cat does nails.” “Oh, you need your nails done? Cat does them” & I would get so embarrassed because no I didn’t “do nails” I only did my own. Then my sister and mom would get stopped at work or anywhere really if they had a fresh set on, and people would ask them where they got their nails done (since everything was shut down). They started telling people I did nails as well.

Soon enough, I started doing my cousins as well & they told me I should make an Instagram. I didn’t even know what I would name it, as I was thinking about cute, catchy names, I started talking to everyone about it & one of my friends Anette, came up with the name “Kittyclaws”. I used to love long nails (claws), and my name is Cat, but some people call me Kitty Cat, so it sounded perfect!! All through 2020 I did nails in my moms living room, my dad gave me a portable table and a utility box that u kept all my things in and my sister and mom continued to let me practice anything I wanted on them. Towards the end of 2020/2021, my boyfriend remodeled my old bedroom into a perfect pink studio, built me a custom desk, and really just launched my whole business; he was also the one that kept encouraging me to quit my job; it was such a hard decision, but he kept telling me “the demand is too high for you, you literally don’t have time to work”.

Fast forward 2021, I was finally able to quit my job May 2021 & pursue nails full time, it feels like all that time was such a blur, I actually never felt like I quit my job, because all I did was add more time slots during the day & they got booked up! I can’t express enough how much it meant to me, everyone was so supportive & my family was always there whenever I needed help with anything. 2020, 2022 and 2023 I took certification courses but none of them required me to be licensed, I always knew if I wanted to expand I needed to get licensed, but I kept telling myself I didn’t have “time”. Fast forward to 2023, I got my LLC started, and my friend Alexis(who also does nails) finally pulled the trigger and signed up for nail school; I was Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm for ten weeks. I didn’t know how I was going to do that since I always had full days booked, but everyone was so understanding, I moved 10 appts a week to the weekends and no one left me I couldn’t believe it. It was a tough, tiring time, but I did it. We finished around June & I got licensed in August 2023. I was finally legit!! 2023 was my building year & year one as KittyClaws Beauty Bar LLC 2024 is my expanding year!!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m not going to say it was “smooth”. Of course, I had bumps in the road here and there, but I am fortunate to say that every time something came up, I always had support. It could have been running out of supplies & my dad would bring me some, or I would send my sister to the store. My e-file would break, and my boyfriend would fix it for me so I didn’t have to send it out, or I needed help washing my tools bc I was too tired the night before & had a full day following & my mom would be there for me. I’m fortunate to also say that word of mouth & all the referrals that my clients have given me have generally kept me booked throughout the years. Of course, I had sleepless nights, times I was scared, couldn’t figure out a design or something personal going on & I still had to show up for work, but I’m a firm believer in you get what you put in, and if you work hard & are a good person, it’ll all work out.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in professional Russian-style dry manicures. I would say I am known for clean and detailed manicures. There was a time when I tried to perform every single new trend that came out & I just could not do it. I eventually came to the conclusion that I cannot draw the Disney castle on your little nail, and that’s OKAY. I prefer to do a clean, plain set, and there is actually a huge community out there that likes the same cute, plain nails. I am most proud of perfecting my skill with manicures and taking care of your natural nails at the same time. I also take care of the surrounding skin, not just the nail. I think what sets me apart from others is the experience, I will provide clean, disinfected implements, inviting environment, clean precise manicure and longevity in your set, your set will last you 3-5 weeks.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
It has always been more outgoing, talkative, and creative. I would ask questions all the time and was curious about everything, she even got to the point of telling me “I’ll tell you when you get older” for a lot of things probaly just to shut me up haha. I cheered and helped coach younger kids all throughout high school and a year in college, so I’ve always loved being in charge & social. Originally I wanted to be a forensic scientist, then a police officer but while I was in college I realized I love detailed work but needed to be talking to people I couldn’t be stuck in a lab all day looking at blood spatter patterns and fingerprints. I finished my bachelor’s and realized I actually love being around people.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Kitttyclaws
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kitttyclaws

Image Credits
James Murillo @magicproductions3333 Megan Martinez @countrygirlmegz