Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Gonzalez.
Laura, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
**My story begins in Havana, Cuba, where I was born and raised until 2020.** Since I was little, I loved getting my nails done by manicurists and always paid close attention to the work they did.
In 2015, everything started. I was walking down the street with my partner when I ran into a friend who had a nail table with everything and said to me: “Lau, I’m selling everything, if you know anyone who’s interested, let me know.”
I said okay and kept walking where I was headed.
On the way, my husband said to me: “My love, why don’t you buy the table with everything and start doing what you love so much?”
So, on the way back, I stopped by that friend’s house and told her I was interested and would take it.
She knew I was just starting out, so she gave me the opportunity to pay her after I started making money and could pay her little by little. This felt like a sign to give it my all.
That’s how I started, little by little. But just so you know something! The first nails I did, I charged market price. (No freebies or charging less to get clients.) From the beginning, I knew what my work and sacrifice were worth.
It took a lot of effort and hours of practice.
Unfortunately, at that time in Cuba, there was no way to get a professional education; a few years later, private workshops started, and I began to improve little by little. But definitely, more than that, it’s the daily work you do to become better every day.
I became very popular in the area where I lived because of the types of designs I did, and also because of the quality of the products I used and the durability of my work.
Then in 2020, I decided to leave my country, leaving behind my family and so many beautiful clients.
I traveled to Uruguay and decided to take most of my essential nail products in a suitcase to work for a while since I didn’t know how easy it would be to make money and buy products in a country with a rather expensive economy. It was the best decision I made to bring everything with me.
I started working in the pension where I lived for 5 months. Then I got the opportunity to work in a salon where the owners were a manicurist and a barber.
I stayed there for 6 months, and then in March 2021, I started my own business in Montevideo, Uruguay.
I managed to have so many clients who became friends.
I grew my Facebook page and became one of the most popular in this beautiful country that welcomed me with so much love.
On May 31, we decided to leave for the United States and once again leave behind everything I had built. I sold the business key with everything I had achieved.
With a lot of fear but with my head held high, I embarked on a journey through 12 countries, including LA SELVA DEL DARIÉN. My journey lasted 2 months.
I set foot on American soil on July 26, 2021.
In September of that same year, I started working in a salon in Doral.
I stayed there for 2 years and 5 months.
It was the best thing that happened to me. Spectacular bosses, coworkers who became friends, and everyone became family.
I was very happy at this place and always fully booked with clients, but from the moment I was there, I knew I wanted to become independent to have my own name and for everyone to know me as Nails by Lau.
Since going out on my own, my social media has grown tremendously because I’ve dedicated more time to it despite it being hard work managing everything at once as a business owner.
I managed to monetize on Facebook with a video that now has 27.7 million views.
On Instagram, I have several viral videos, and my account is growing every day.
I have a full schedule this month, and many appointments already booked until December.
I feel like I’m real proof that by working hard, you can achieve what you set out to do because the sky is the limit.
Obviously, I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn, but I feel like I’m on the right path to becoming the best version of Nails by Lau.
If you want to laugh and get inspired by nail designs or simply become my client, you can find me at:
Ig: @nails_by_lau_oficial
Fb: Laura Gonzalez Baute y Nails by Lau
TikTok: @nails_by_lau_oficial_1
Alright, 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?
**”Nobody said it would be easy”** is a phrase full of wisdom and realism. It reminds me that life is filled with challenges, obstacles, and moments of uncertainty. When I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a manicurist, it can be tempting to think that if it’s truly our passion or destiny, it should come effortlessly. However, this is not the case at all. The reality is that the things that truly matter and fill us with pride and satisfaction are rarely achieved without hard work and perseverance.
So much so that I spent many sleepless nights practicing what is now my talent for creating art on nails. Leaving my family and country behind has been very tough on this journey, as taking this step requires even more focus to ensure that nothing has been in vain.
Definitely, success is not just about talent or luck but about the ability to keep going, learn from mistakes, and stay firm even when the path is extremely difficult.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Nails by Lau?
I have been a manicurist for 10 years. I specialize in nail care and in creating beautiful work, from the simplest designs to the most fun and creative ones. I love making designs on nails.
I have become known for my charisma; I am very affectionate with my clients and always give them the utmost attention so that they feel comfortable and want to come back again. I love serving them by starting with a delicious coffee or a flavored tea of their choice.
What sets me apart is the quality and durability of my work: when other technicians work lasts barely 2 weeks, i have clients coming a month after with their nails intact, only showing the nails growth, sure it could be bad for business but my client’s happiness is my number 1 priority.
I also treat my clients kids as princesses and princes gifting them free nails when they come by.
They love coming here, their little girls leave with beautiful nails and a huge smile on their faces which truly fill my heart.
Overall, your visit to Nails By Lau will truly be a magical experience, i am a small business striving to give you the best service possible and the best of me!
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
As a passionate manicurist, I have invested a lot of time and effort in perfecting my skills and building my business from the ground up. This journey has been a true adventure full of challenges and learning experiences, and now, more than ever, I value the importance of support and collaboration to keep growing.
I am open to different forms of collaboration that not only help strengthen my business but also enrich the experience of my clients.
As a form of support, I am grateful to all the people who show their support on social media by showcasing the work I do for them and sharing my content. It brings me great joy to know that I have many people who care about me and have helped me along this path, which still has a long way to go.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nails_by_lau_oficial?igsh=M2U5aDBvYXNocDR3&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nailsbylauoficial1?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nails_by_lau_oficial_1?_t=8pQiJYjlAsN&_r=1
Image Credits
La primera foto que envié donde parece que se me acredita @bluemorphocs
