Today we’d like to introduce you to Tricia Strong.
Hi Tricia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began my nail journey in 2020, during a time when salons were closed and the world felt like it was on pause. I was in college, studying nursing, and I started doing my own nails simply as a creative outlet. I had no idea that what began as a hobby would eventually become my career.
Even though I tried to follow a traditional path with school and work, I never felt truly fulfilled. Nail art, however, came naturally to me—it was the one thing I continuously found myself drawn to. Eventually, I made the difficult decision to leave my job, enroll in nail school, and change the direction of my life. I was in the middle of filing for unemployment when my clientele suddenly and unexpectedly took off.
That moment changed everything. I realized I wasn’t just doing nails; I was creating art. My clients became my walking canvases, and my passion for creativity finally had a place where it could thrive.
Art has always been a defining part of who I am. Growing up, I was constantly drawing, painting, and sculpting. In high school, I fell in love with ceramics and pottery. I’ve always loved beauty, too, so when I discovered nail artistry, it naturally became the perfect fusion of both worlds.
This blend of beauty and creativity is what inspired the foundation of my brand. I’ve always wanted to create something that felt different—imaginative, expressive, and out of the box. My work is a reflection of that vision: unique, art-driven, and intentionally crafted to stand apart.
For me, nails are more than a service. They’re a form of self-expression, a collaboration between artist and client, and a way to merge beauty with artistry in a meaningful, personal way.
One of the proudest moments in my journey has been becoming a V Beauty Pure ambassador. When I first started doing nails, VBP was one of the very first brands I gravitated toward as a beginner. I admired their products, their educators, and the artistry they inspired. To now be able to work with the same brand that shaped my early foundation feels like a full-circle moment. It’s a reminder that growth is real, dreams evolve, and with dedication, the things you once looked up to can become the opportunities you step into.
It’s incredibly motivating to know that the brand I once learned from now trusts me to represent them. It shows that passion, consistency, and belief in your craft can take you further than you ever imagined.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced came when I relocated back home. My husband and I had been living in New Mexico for almost six years while he was in the military. During that time, I was able to build my clientele quickly because there weren’t many nail techs in the area, and my work stood out. When I learned we were moving back to California, I felt a wave of nerves. The beauty scene here is saturated with talented artists, and I didn’t know how long it would take to rebuild everything I had worked so hard for.
Despite that fear, I chose to take on the challenge. I reminded myself that I offered something that would always set me apart: my artistry. I trusted that the right clients would find me again.
Now, only two months after returning, I’ve already rebuilt a steady clientele. This transition taught me something important—when you pair hard work with passion and dedication, nothing is impossible.
How do you define success?
I define success not by how many clients I have or how much money I make, but by how fulfilled I feel in the work I’m doing. Thinking back to my time in college, nurses make a stable and admirable living—but even if I had followed that path, I wouldn’t have considered myself successful, because I wouldn’t have been truly happy.
For me, success is much more personal. It’s the moment a client takes their first look at the nails we’ve created together and their face lights up. It’s knowing that something I designed with my own hands made someone feel beautiful, confident, or excited. That feeling—of creating something meaningful and seeing someone genuinely love it—is what defines success for me.
Pricing:
- Custom Nail Art – 150-200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sculptedeuphoria.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sculptedeuphoria
Image Credits
Stacy Elefante -@calliecollectivephotography
