Today we’d like to introduce you to Veronica (Vee) Salinas.
Hi Vee, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in North Austin with my mom and dad. My father owned a karate school, so I spent much of my childhood surrounded by discipline, movement, and energy. My mother worked for the State of Texas, and when I visited her office, I spent my time running through the halls, collecting highlighters, markers, and paper to draw on.
I was quiet and shy as a child, but I was always creative and curious. I loved arts-and-crafts kits, painting, coloring, and anything involving color or design. I also loved taking things apart to understand how they worked.
Creating helped quiet my busy mind. I didn’t know it then, but that creativity would eventually become my career.
My love for nails began as a teenager. While my dad taught karate, my mom and I would visit a nail salon in the same shopping center. I loved the smell, the atmosphere, and watching acrylic nails transform into colorful works of art. Once I was old enough to get my own nails done, I was drawn to bold colors, intricate designs, and 3D details. To me, the possibilities were endless.
Still, I followed the practical path for a while, working jobs that offered stability and benefits. But I never felt fulfilled. I would wake up dreading work.
Then my husband gave me an acrylic nail kit for my birthday. I had been spending $100 to $120 every two weeks at the salon, so I decided to see if I could do my own nails. What began as a hobby quickly became something more. I practiced on myself and friends, learning through every set.
A few years later, while working for the State of Texas—the same place my mother had once worked—a supervisor noticed my nails.
“Who does those?” she asked.
“I do,” I replied.
“You should be doing that.”
Her comment stayed with me. Two weeks later, I left my job. A week after that, I started cosmetology school. Nine months later, I graduated, passed my test, and became licensed.
Today, I’ve been doing nails for five years and licensed for more than two. I continue to learn new techniques, products, and designs every day. But my favorite part of the work is the people. My clients bring stories, celebrations, and ideas into my studio. We create together, talk, laugh, and share life. It feels less like work and more like girls’ time with arts and crafts.
My mother always told me, “If you do something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Now I understand exactly what she meant.
Today, I’m a solo nail technician at Cute Nails Studios in Austin, Texas, and I’m building my own brand, Verde Claws. It’s new, personal, and completely mine.
The little girl drawing in her mother’s office, taking apart old telephones, and sitting beside her mother at the nail salon is still part of me. None of us knew where those moments would lead, but they were all building the same future.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have definitely been more good days than bad, but the hard days have been very real. Balancing motherhood, school, work, my marriage, and life hasn’t always been easy, but giving up was never an option. I’m incredibly blessed to have my husband and my mom by my side, they’ve been my biggest supporters and helped me keep going when things felt overwhelming. We welcomed our fourth baby in January, so life is a little more chaotic these days, but my dreams are bigger than ever. I’m doing this for myself, for my family, and for my babies watching their mama chase her BIG dreams!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a solo Nail Artist at Cute Nail Studio in Austin, Texas, and around the studio I’ve earned the nickname “Queen of Bling.” But if you ask me, I specialize in anything CRAZY, creative, and completely custom! From 3D designs and intricate artwork to hand painted pictures and over the top sets, I love bringing my clients’ wildest ideas to life.
What really sets me apart is the experience I give my clients. I work with a wide variety of products and have built a lot of knowledge along the way, so I take my time with every appointment and make sure my clients understand their options. For me, nails aren’t just about making something pretty, they’re about creating something that feels personal to the person wearing them. If you can dream it, I’m probably going to try to put it on a nail!
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Something people should know about me is that I genuinely love what I do. I’ve always been creative, curious, and a little different, and nails became the perfect way for me to express that. I’m also a mom of four, a wife, and a BIG dreamer. Balancing motherhood, family, school, work, and building my career hasn’t always been easy, but it has made me even more determined.
I’m not afraid to think outside the box, try something new, or challenge myself creatively. I want every person who sits in my chair to feel comfortable, educated, and excited about their nails. I’m still growing, still learning, and still dreaming and I truly feel like I’m only getting started.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vagaro.com/cutenailstudio/book-now
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verdeclawz
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verde.clawz
