Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Gil.
Jessica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always been the awkward, odd kid. The quiet, shy one. Never on trend, usually ahead of it or way behind. Always been into funky styles and colors, yet I love wearing black. Obsessed with galactic, holographic palettes, a futuristic lover but with a fondness for all things vintage. Eclectic if you will. I started playing with the idea that bloomed into Satnin Polish about five years ago when I realized my collection of nail polish was getting a little out of hand. It had grown out of hand due to having to get change for the valet every night after work. I would run to the Walgreens nearby and get the cheapest nail polish I could find to get cash back. Eventually, I got into nail art but I found I was never really satisfied with the colors that were available. I began mixing the colors that I had and it was so much fun! In the excitement of my discovery, I started looking into buying my own bottles and my own glitter mixes and my own pigments.
I even gave my little hobby a name… Satnin Polish, after my obsession with Elvis Presley. He used the word as a term of endearment for the woman he loved. It later became the term of endearment for me by the man I loved. Something forever engraved in my soul. So I started doing this for fun, for myself, but when I began to wear them to work, people started complimenting them. I told them I was mixing my own colors and immediately people showed interest in buying them for themselves. That evolved into custom work, and then into collections and opening my Instagram and then an Etsy shop and I vend at local events whenever possible.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This journey has been everything but a smooth road, but it would be so boring if it was. To be completely honest, every other day I freak out and ask myself who the hell I think I am and what the hell I think I’m doing and that I should just go back to working nights and weekends, to working holidays, to working overnights, to working long hours, to work on my feet for hours, to making money for someone else… but then I see how happy people get when they get their orders. And I’m reminded of my purpose.
This has been an experience full of people telling me that I can’t look a certain way and telling me how to dress and telling me how to look. As soon as I started getting positive attention, I caught the unwanted and unwelcome eyes of the higher-ups, that, of course, were not okay with me wearing fun colors. Needless to say, working in a very corporate, conservative company was not conducive of my creative flow. I was told my style was not on brand… I was obviously working for the wrong brand… Enter the rebel! I’ve always been very laid-back, very chill, even a pushover. So when they started messing with my appearance, they ignited the fire inside me. I began intensely working on making new colors. All of them borderline work safe, all of them got me in trouble, but all of them got my attention. And what do you need to make history? Controversy.
It’s been a challenge of not having a financial safety net, or a crew to depend on. It’s been a one-woman show, as most of us are. I do the research, order the ingredients, mix the polishes, make my labels, make my stickers, take care of my finances, etc. It has been an emotional roller coaster, especially this past year due to some personal struggles. Very testing of my faith, but every second is making me stronger and more convinced of what I need to do. Every challenge makes the fire burn brighter.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Satnin Polish – what should we know?
Satnin Polish is an indie nail polish brand that I created at home. Funky, sparkly, holographic, bright, multichromatic colors. People began to show interest and wanted to buy my product. That’s when I really started selling, that’s when I dove deep. I began to do more research, trying to see how I could make this nail polish different from other brands. I discovered ingredients that were better and healthier, such as 10-free and cruelty-free bases. 10-free means its free of the top 10 yucky ingredients (Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl phthalate, Camphor, Formaldehyde resin, Xylene, Parabens, Fragrances, Phthalates, Animal ingredients). I also discovered hemp oil, a multi-purpose remedy that is good for your skin, has antioxidants and as it turned out after some research, is also great for your nails and cuticles.
All this research led me to a completely different path in life. I’m now more conscious and aware of what I put on my body and into my body. I’ve also become a lot more aware products that test on animals as it’s something that I’m completely against. It’s a difficult road to travel down. What started as just wanting to make nail polish has evolved into a more conscious, meaningful lifestyle. I discovered that not only do I want to make fun colors and make some cash out of it, but I also want to help those whose voices cannot be heard. So whenever I do get a chance, I try to donate a portion of my earnings to a local dog rescue.
Another amazing aspect of his journey has been the strengthening of my self-esteem and it has helped me stand up for myself, for my rights. Still a work in progress but it has helped me express myself and help others express themselves. We need to learn that this is not about what other people think of us, it’s about how we feel about ourselves. Be yourself. Don’t conform. Fight for your rights. Fight for others. This is polish with a purpose! Donate more! Help more! Do good. Let’s migrate to a more conscious level of everything! We can do, say, be, whatever we want as long as we’re not hurting ourselves or others. I want to help people hiding their true identity and feelings express who they really are so they no longer have to hide behind the facade that society has forced us behind. I want Satnin Polish to become a platform for self-love, empowerment, selflessness, awareness, and Magic. And to think it all started with nail polish…
What is your favorite childhood memory?
All of my favorite childhood memories are, way or another, related to Disney. Mostly to The Little Mermaid and Ariel. I used to watch The Wonderful World of Disney all the time as a child. So it would explain why I’m so inspired by magic and the light shining on the sea and the sparkle of stars and by the power of love. My life is fueled by the hope that love can, and will conquer all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SatninPolish
- Email: satnin.polish@gmail.com
- Instagram: @satnin.polish
Image Credit:
Nicole Martinez from @noelic.timarmez
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
