Today we’d like to introduce you to Adriana Urmeneta.
Hi Adriana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and I moved to the United States in 2011 to study at Baylor University, where I majored in Management Information Systems. From there, I went on to pursue a career in technology sales and moved to Austin.
A few years ago, I decided to go back to school for a master’s in tech entrepreneurship. I was deep into developing a business plan for my final project, when life gave me the perfect real-world example. That weekend, I was attending a friend’s wedding and spent hours driving all over town – first to get my nails done, then hair, and finally makeup. As I’m battling traffic between appointments, I thought, ‘This is ridiculous – why isn’t there one place where you can get all of this done?’
That’s when Arco was born – not in a classroom, but in my car, frustrated and running late to a wedding.
After that, I couldn’t let go of the idea. It kept nagging at me until I finally started looking at commercial spaces. The moment I walked into the first property, which is now Arco, I knew this was happening. That’s when I went from working on a school project to actually building a business – and it’s been an incredible journey ever since.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road! Some of the hardest challenges were finding the right location and navigating the licensing requirements for construction – salons have incredibly specific regulations that I had no idea about. There were also the typical startup struggles of wearing every hat from marketing to operations, all while trying to figure out how to differentiate Arco in such a competitive beauty market.
Coming from technology, I essentially had to learn an entirely new industry from scratch. Understanding the beauty industry – from supplier relationships to staff scheduling to customer expectations – was like learning a new language. I made plenty of mistakes early on, but each challenge taught me something valuable about the business and about myself as an entrepreneur. Those struggles really forced me to become more resourceful and resilient than I ever thought I could be!
As you know, we’re big fans of Arco Blow Dry & Nail Bar. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Arco is a one-stop beauty destination that specializes in blowouts, nails, makeup, root touch-ups, and hair treatments – all under one arch. What started as a solution to running around town for multiple beauty appointments has evolved into something much more meaningful.
What sets us apart is our commitment to natural hair and nail care using products and methods that are better for you. We believe in enhancing your natural beauty rather than working against it – it’s what we call ‘better for you beauty.’ Our approach focuses on strengthening nails, using sustainable practices, and creating services that work with your body.
We’ve cultivated a relaxing atmosphere where the customer always comes first, and we’re incredibly proud of the feedback we receive. Clients consistently tell us they love not just our services, but our atmosphere, design, and how genuinely caring our team is. We maintain an exceptionally clean environment and have built excellent reviews based on the premium experience we provide.
We’re passionate about being your go-to spot for everyday beauty needs – whether that’s a quick blowout before an important meeting, regular nail maintenance, or a root touch-up to keep you looking fresh. We also love hosting bridal and bachelorette parties, but our heart is really in being part of our clients’ regular self-care routines.
We serve people who value quality services and understand that choosing better-for-you beauty products and methods is an investment in healthier hair, stronger nails, and enhanced confidence.
Beyond beauty services, we’re committed to supporting our community, particularly other female-owned businesses. Looking ahead, we’re excited to grow Arco into multiple locations and expand our service offerings based on what our clients are asking for. Our mission remains the same: helping every client feel beautiful in their own skin through services and products that truly work with their body’s natural beauty.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
To be honest, I don’t really believe in luck – I think it’s more about how you respond to challenges and opportunities. What some might call ‘bad luck’ certainly tested me early on – from construction setbacks to learning expensive lessons in a new industry. But those challenges made me a stronger business owner and more determined. The ‘good luck’ has really been the result of staying open to connections and consistently showing up – finding amazing team members, building relationships with fellow entrepreneurs, and earning loyal clients who became our biggest advocates.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://arco-beauty.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcobeautybar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arcobeautybar
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/arco-blow-dry-and-nail-bar-austin-2
Image Credits
Skelly Build & Armadillo Photography
