Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Montero.
Hi Emma, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Yes, you’re right. The answer needs to actually tell the progression of your story first. The personal growth message should come naturally from that story instead of becoming the whole answer.
I’d write it more like this:
I started my journey in the nail industry after moving to Texas and deciding to go to nail school. At the time, I was simply looking for something I could build for myself, but I ended up finding something I genuinely loved. I started working as a nail technician, building my clientele one person at a time, learning the industry, improving my work, and slowly realizing that I wanted to create something bigger than just working for myself.
As my clientele grew, so did my vision. I wanted to create a salon that reflected the type of experience I wanted my own clients to have, somewhere beautiful and welcoming, but also personal. Eventually, that vision became Momas Nails, which I opened in Buda, Texas, in January 2026.
Opening the salon was a completely new chapter for me. I knew nails, but owning and running a business was something I had to learn along the way. Suddenly I was not only a nail technician. I was learning about managing a team, finances, marketing, customer service, operations, and all of the little things that happen behind the scenes when you own a business. There has been a lot of learning and adjusting, but I think that has also been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
Today, I am still very involved in the salon and still work with clients, but now I also get to watch something that once existed only as an idea continue to grow. Looking back, I think one of the biggest things this journey has taught me is that you do not have to have everything figured out before you start. Sometimes you start with what you know, you learn what you do not know, and you grow into the person capable of doing the things that once felt out of reach. I think that is something a lot of women can relate to, especially when we are building something of our own.
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?
It definitely has been a bumpy road. One of the biggest challenges has been finding people who are as passionate about nails and this industry as I am. You can teach technique and help someone improve their skills, but passion is different. I really care about the work, the details, the client experience, and continuing to grow in this industry, so finding people who genuinely have that same love for what they do has been harder than I expected.
Another major challenge has been balancing the business with my family. When you own a business, work does not really stop when you leave the salon. There is always something to think about, fix, plan, or handle. At the same time, I am a mom, and being present for my family is just as important to me as growing my business. Sometimes it feels like I am being pulled in two different directions, and I am still learning how to give both parts of my life the attention they deserve without feeling guilty about the other one.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work is very focused on builder gel, structure, and clean, detailed nail work. I love creating nails that are not only beautiful, but also balanced, strong, and flattering to the natural nail. I pay a lot of attention to shape, structure, cuticle work, and the small details because, to me, those are the things that really make a set look polished and elevated. Builder gel has become one of my favorite services because it allows me to help clients grow and protect their natural nails while still giving them a beautiful, structured finish.
But I think what I am most proud of goes beyond the technical side of doing nails. I care a lot about the entire experience, from the quality of the service to how a client feels when she is sitting in my chair. I am constantly learning, improving, and looking for ways to make my work better. I think what sets me apart is that I am very intentional with what I do. I do not like rushing through a service just to get it done. I want the work to be clean, consistent, and something I am genuinely proud to put my name behind. That same standard is also what I am trying to build into Momas Nails as a whole.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think luck has played a role in my journey, but I do not think luck is what got me here. There have definitely been moments where the right opportunity came at the right time, where I met the right people, or where a client recommended me to someone who later became a loyal client. Those little things can create opportunities you never expected.
At the same time, there have been plenty of moments where things did not go the way I wanted, and I could probably call some of those bad luck. But I have learned that you cannot control everything that happens around you. What you can control is what you do with it. I think luck can open a door, but you still have to be prepared to walk through it, work hard, and make something out of the opportunity. For me, the biggest part of this journey has been staying consistent, continuing to learn, and being willing to keep going even when things do not go exactly as planned.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.momasnailsbtx.com
- Instagram: @momasnails
- Facebook: @momasnails
