Meet Josephine Romero Treviño of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Josephine Romero Treviño.

Hi Josephine, 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?
My creative path started at 8 years old, from what I can remember. I was fascinated with learning music theory and how to play music. In third grade, I ended up failing the music entrance exam twice, til getting it the third time and officially being granted entrance. I was grateful. It was fascinating to me how art had its own language that was beyond words, and I adored how it would envelope the world in a surreal way. I decided then that I wanted to create in one way or another and that it was a language I never wanted to stop learning or expressing.

I stayed in music class throughout my schooling and upon high school graduation, felt the pressure of perusing university and a proper 9-5. Like many first generation Mexican-Americans, I was told time and time again that this route would provide the most financial security and thus, happiness. I wanted to make my family proud but was stuck at a crossroads for several years. I climbed the corporate latter for six years, while being told to get a degree to keep climbing that latter. In 2023, I fell into a deep depression. I had fully come to terms that my career at the time was extremely unfulfilling; I no longer wanted to invest into a dream that wasn’t mine. I began to do all the things I had put on hold. I joined a band with my childhood friend, I started writing again, I sang and danced on stage and had a frightening but amazing time. One day, I walked into Tattered LB and got my very first tooth gem done; it made me feel alive. I’ll never forget the overwhelming feeling that was felt as I was learning about this medium. That night, I looked up the history and background of tooth gems and dental adornments. I found that tooth gems date all the way back to ancient civilizations such as -but not limited to- the Mayans and Aztecs. They often used tooth gems for cultural and spiritual reasons. That’s over 4,000 years ago! The ideas in my mind were being spread like wildfire, and I wanted to fulfill every single one. I made the decision to get trained and certified to be able to bring these ideas into fruition. I was mentored by a very special artist who had an immense love for this medium, a true visionary in the tooth gems world. I started gemming friends and posting their sets; I found that others also wanted to customize their avatar in this special way. I also found that it brought me immense joy to create together, and with that joy, I gained the courage to quit my 9-5 and dive into this medium full time.

It’s been an insane learning experience, as I never thought i’d own a business, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I adore tooth gems and grillz, and being able to help others see themselves in all their authenticity is priceless.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t been the smoothest. No one I knew personally owned a business, and my family lives out of state. Those were the two most daunting aspects at the beginning. But honestly? When building something from the ground up, it’s impossible for things to piece together with no issues. Literally all the great lessons i’ve learned were learned by picking up the pieces after something fell apart. Starting a business is frightening and invigorating. Finding your community is difficult. And having the drive to tell yourself to keep going, even when everything in you is screaming to give up, can feel impossible. I truly believe though, that passion makes creatives a bit delusional. We don’t hear the ‘no’s’ and the pitfalls fuel us to do better next time. It takes a lot of work, dedication, and planning and it’s all worth it, all the L’s and the wins.

Prior to starting this business, I definitely felt social anxiety when being around new people. And creating Solecita Gems was a form of exposure therapy, I soon learned.
Once my community found me, I made so many friends within my clientele and other industries that I work close to. Our sessions can be therapeutic for the both of us and i’m grateful for that aspect of trust and silliness we share. I’ve seen my clients go through different stages in their lives and i’m happy to see them grow. And it feels very sweet knowing that they’re happy to see me grow as well. The community that was built was definitely unexpected and i’m overjoyed in the blessing of it. I no longer feel that anxiety to the extent that I once felt it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a tooth gem artist, and I specialize in structured and imaginative sets. Part of my process includes mapping out what my client is picturing in their minds, assessing their anatomy, and understanding their personality. I’ve been told by past clients that they felt as if their sets were perfectly designed for them, and most of my referrals are based off that same sentiment. It makes me super happy to know that that’s what i’m known for.
I do like to check in with clients and have been told that their gems gave them a confidence that they didn’t have before, that they’re happy to smile openly now. To know that I assisted in that is definitely something I’m most proud of.
Last year I decided to also get mentored by a licensed dentist and learned a lot about application technique, the science behind retention, and what materials are the gold standard in dentistry. I’ve been complimented by oral surgeons, dentists and dental hygienist on how strong and clean my application is, and I do believe that getting mentored by two gifted professionals from two different industries has molded my artistry and set my work apart from others.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
I grew up in Pomona, in a little house on Dudley Street. During the summertime, my out-of-state friend, Natalie, would stay at her grandmother‘s house for the summer and we’d spend our time chasing ice cream trucks, laughing about the silliest things, and rollerskating. We’d race each other, Nat and I on skates and my older brother on his scooter. Nat loved carrying out the wildest tricks. We’d play skate and try to one-up each other with all these seemingly impossible tricks. We both had way too many falls, scrapes, and scars. My brother couldn’t even escape the damage; during a race, on one occasion, he somehow passed a torn mailbox too quickly and gained a scar of his own. At the end of each day we had learned new tricks, laughed a whole lot, and spent the sweetest time together. Thanks to Nat, I learned at a young age that friends can be the sweetest blessings. I looked forward to every summer on that street.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/solecitagems