Today we’d like to introduce you to Karina Hernandez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Karina. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started painting my toys and accessories with nail polish since elementary school, giving them that little extra flash of color and glitter that made them one of a kind. By the time I was in college, my mom noticed how much I loved to design and draw so she convinced me to take a nail course and have fun working while I make money. I became obsessed with manicuring once I found the world of acrylic and gel because I had never gotten fake nails myself. I’m not proud to say that I spent more time in my college dorms doing nails than I did studying, but I am very proud to say that I got my license and my degree at the same time. I decided that I no longer wanted to be a teacher and pursue my artistic passion because right before I got my license, I also decided to start learning to play music. This beauty industry inspired me to follow my dreams by helping people by giving them a fun service where they can relax and leave knowing their nails will be beautiful and healthy.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I had to bust my butt to get everything to where it is now. Many, many early mornings, late nights, bus rides and train tickets from Los Angeles to San Bernardino. I had a lot of help from family, friends, educators, and even strangers. Money can be a difficult factor to overcome but it is possible to fund your dreams with discipline and sacrifice. I missed a lot of family parties, outings with friends, shows and concerts, but I am very happy to say that I work on my own schedule with people that I like. Even now, I sometimes struggle to get up and go to the supply store, but I remember that everyday I get to play with glitter and talk to amazing women who want to come support my passion. I even had to struggle with problematic customers up until today, but hearing successful people’s similar stories help to keep me pushing. The way I look at it is if I’m comfortable, it’s because I’m getting lazy and I could do more.
Please tell us about Kolor Kured.
I am very proud of myself and my business because I pride myself in being gentle handed and providing a customized service for each client. My nail customers can literally fall asleep in my chair because of how gentle I am with their hands. They know they don’t have to keep checking their shape or design because I will be picky enough for the both of us. I can freestyle for hours or recreate a specific design from another artist. Plain and simple, I want to give my people what they want with the privacy and comfort of hanging out with a friend. Not only can they come to me, but offer Housecalls which will bring the salon to them. Apart from being able to do manicures, acrylic sets, gel, and art, I am bilingual and can work with seniors and kids. I feel it is my Mexican heritage that makes me family-friendly because I am used to a large crazy family.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start all over, I would have started my nail journey at 16 instead of 19 because I would probably have my own salon by now. In some California schools, Nail Tech courses accept students as young as 16 and test applicants at 18. Some trade schools even offer free tuition to high school students in lower income districts. But not only would I want to start younger, I would have encouraged more people to start learning a trade with me so we can all be set up by the time we graduated high school. I don’t regret my choice of going to college at all, but if I could, I would have invested all that money into a business instead.
Pricing:
- Gel overlay manicure, $50, nail care and manicure, builder gel overlay, gel color, cuticle oil, Hand massage
- Acrylic sculpted fullset, $70 up, nail care and manicure, acrylic extensions using forms , gel color, cuticle oil, Hand massage
- Acrylic sculpted fill, $60 up, nail care and manicure, acrylic extensions using forms , gel color, cuticle oil, Hand massage
- Hard gel sculpted fullset, $85 up, nail care and manicure, acrylic extensions using forms , gel color, cuticle oil, Hand massage
- Nail art $5 up, Swarovski Crystals, glitter, stickers, foils, encapsulated, hand painted, studs, chains
- Housecall, $100 up, any service in the comfort of your preferred location
Contact Info:
- Phone: 323.531.8060
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @kolorkured
Image Credit:
Karina Hernandez
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