Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Medina.
Jasmine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I fell in love with nails at a young age. The first time I got my nails done is a time I’ll never forget. My mother brought me to a nail salon on Jamaica Ave in Queens, NY. I was only 14 at the time. My mother, who was a nurse convinced my dad that it was “time”. She reassured him that I would not get them too long. Getting your nails done was like a rite of passage as a young woman, and I wanted in!
For years I worked in the healthcare field, I loved caring for others. I lost my job in 2019 when the family I was working for let me go without notice. My patient was moving and the care I was providing was no longer needed.
I called my mom devastated. As a wife and mother of two, I felt hopeless, but my mom reassured me that something bigger was waiting for me. I told my husband about my thoughts on becoming a nail artist and he was completely on board. I took the proper steps to start my journey and began working at a salon, however, due to Covid this did not last long. I needed to pivot. If no one could come to the salon, I would bring the salon to them! My mom and I went to the nail store and began picking out supplies because what are best friends for?
At the end of 2021, my mom passed away and I’d lost sight of the path ahead of me. Months went by, my husband encouraged me to do what made me happy, and I really had to no doubt what that sense of joy and peace was.
I went to the garage, picked up my brushes and began to paint. I looked at a photo on my mother placed on the corner of my nail desk and remembered that I needed to “dust myself off and try again”. That was a line my mother always used from one of my favorite songs to remind me to keep going and I did. I created and launched my website, and the rest is history in the making.
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?
My career as a Nail Artist has not always been an easy one. Owning your own business comes with a lot of self-discipline. Often, you must make sacrifices such as choosing between going out with your friends or working late hours. As a business owner, I wear many hats. I am responsible for ordering products, creating and shipping orders, accounting, managing my brand’s social media accounts, and more.
The path to success is never an easy one, but it can be rewarding so long as you put the work in. Consistency breeds success.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Circa 91 is a Black Owned, Luxury Acrylic Press On Nail company founded in 2021. We create hand-crafted nails with hand-painted designs and gems. Our website is full of nail designs in an array of shapes however we also create Custom Luxury Nails for clients. With nothing left to the imagination, you dream it, we design it.
We believe that everyone deserves to feel luxurious regardless of the occasion. NOTHING should stop you from wearing the nails you want when you want. Our nails give you the luxury of wearing whatever length, design or shape of nails you want and having the option of taking them off without causing wear and tear to your natural nails. We save you time in the salon by bringing the salon to you! In addition, all of our nails are hand-crafted using top-of-the-line products making our nails reusable so that you may enjoy your nails time and time again.
What matters most to you?
Representation.
I remember working an event called Black Girl Magic Day as a manicurist. It was at this event where I encountered a girl who was about 10. I was shocked by her fascination with me and all the questions she had about ME and my love for nail art. As I painted the last heart on her nail she looked at me and said, “I want to be a nail artist like you one day”. I was honestly shocked; most kids want to be a ballerina or the president!
Representation matters. I knew in that moment I was right where I needed to be. The first time I got acrylic nails I was 14. I realized back then that most of the people who were consistently in the nail salons were Black. I also noticed that although we made up most of the industry’s consumers, we were not the owners. Growing up I didn’t know of many Black-owned businesses. I wanted to design something that was for us, by us. I dream of one day opening a school for young girls looking to start their careers in the beauty industry!
Pricing:
- Custom Luxury Nails start at $70
Contact Info:
- Website: www.circa91co.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/official_circa91/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialcirca91/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8EYE4dlzeT3GnU3Jaz446Q
