We are spotlighting the winners of Nailpro’s 30 Under 30 competition for 2023, featuring 30 nail artists under 30 years of age.
Get to know Yessica Alfaro (@clawsbyyessie). She is a 26-year-old nail tech at Clawssy Nail Studio in Carson, CA.
Q&A:
Nailpro (NP): What is a fun fact about you?
Yessica Alfaro (YA): I love coffee! The first sip before starting a long day of work is the best!
NP: How did you get started as a nail tech?
YA: My nail journey started more than 6 years ago, at the age of 19. It all started after attending my first year of college and realizing school wasn’t really going to be my thing. I knew deep down I was destined to do something different – something that I knew I would love doing for a long time and would eventually allow me to bring in income. Pursuing a career as a nail tech was all just a crazy idea at first, but when I finally decided to take the leap of faith, I went ahead and took a nail course for the first time ever. Since then, my life has changed. I fell in love with the idea of doing nails and being the best. I then went ahead and got my manicurist license all within that same year of discovering my passion. I worked at a nail salon for almost 2 years. I learned and grew so much as a nail tech while I was there. Fast forward to today, I now own my private nail studio. I continue doing what I love all while providing a safe, private and luxury experience for my clients. Since the very beginning, pursuing my dreams has never been easy, but nothing worth having comes easy.
NP: What do you love about your job?
YA: I honestly love everything about my job! It is honestly a blessing to have the opportunity to create fun nail art all while getting to meet so many incredible people and build genuine connections. My job has allowed me to fulfill my dreams by making a living doing what I love and making others feel beautiful and happy. It is such a rewarding job that most of the time I forget it is work.
NP: Where do you find inspiration?
YA: I find inspiration all around me – through my fellow nail artists, my clients, my family and boyfriend. I love that my clients and I can come together, bring ideas to life and create such unique nail designs. Also, spending time with the people I love always inspires and motivates me in many ways.
NP: What is a piece of advice you would give other nail technicians who are just getting started?
YA: The best advice I can give is to always be gentle with yourself, never compare yourself to others and, most importantly, believe in yourself! During your journey, you might get discouraged many times, but with lots of patience and commitment to reach your goals, you can make anything happen.
NP: What is your favorite nail trend right now?
YA: My favorite nail trend right now would probably be texturized and 3D nail art! They are so fun to create and look so cool!
NP: What is your favorite service to offer?
YA: My favorite service to offer is acrylic full sets with all the extra and fun designs.
NP: What is one of your proudest achievements as a nail tech?
YA: My proudest achievements as a nail tech would be being fully booked the same day/same week I opened my booking site and reaching a full clientele all while also being the owner of my own dream studio. Since the beginning of my nail journey, I had always dreamed of having my own luxury private nail studio, and I made it happen. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my amazing clients and my family. I’m so grateful and overwhelmed with the support my clients have always shown me.
NP: What do you love about the nail community/industry?
YA: What I love most about the nail community/industry is how everyone expresses their creativity in their own unique way and how much nails have evolved in the past couple of years. I love that we can all somehow be inspired by each other and be helpful to one another whenever we have questions.
NP: What are your top goals as a nail tech?
YA: My top goals as a nail tech are to become an educator and guide other upcoming nail techs throughout their nail journey. I would love to someday have an academy or beauty school where I can certify nail techs. Overall, I would love to continue growing and challenging myself to be a better nail tech, to continue making my clients happy and to inspire other young techs around the world.
