Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriela Bernal-Camacho.
Hi Gabriela, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Being a businesswoman was always in my future. Anyone who has watched me grow up can vouch for that. From admiring both of my parents who both ran their own businesses to selling jewelry in high school, I knew that whatever the future had in store, being a business owner would be a big part of my identity. I started my first official business, Gafa Eyewear, in July of 2021. I remember sitting in one of my business classes and thinking to myself “They’re giving us the screwdriver, but they’re not teaching us to build. Why aren’t they teaching me how to run a business??” I was so frustrated. If there’s one thing that I have learned about life it’s that either you go after the life you want, or you settle for the life you’re given. So I started my business, that would later teach me more in a year than what I learned throughout my undergrad. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am EXTREMELY proud of that degree, I just knew my work wasn’t quite done there.
Gafa runs and operates from the basement of my parent’s house, it’s still alive and well. I will always have a sweet spot for Gafa but I knew my career in business wouldn’t end there. After I graduated from The University of Utah in May and after securing what I thought would be a long career in plastic surgery sales– the industry I dreamt of working in since a young age, I found that I wanted something additional that would fulfill me in a way that my full-time job never did. I had messed around with the idea of wanting to open a store dedicated to beauty and aesthetics but always imagined it being too costly for me to reach that dream. Additionally, I wanted to provide a service where I could connect with my clients. Then I remembered piercings. A few months ago, I had researched what it took to become a piercing artist but never had enough money to pay for a course. When I tell you I was dirt broke, I mean it. Now that I had secured a “big girl job” I could finally afford to put some money aside to pay for the full course. I went all-in at that moment and began researching the policies around body art and found that my background working in the medical setting had essentially prepared me for this moment.
I had reached out to a few places to work commission based but never felt “secure” in any route. I started touring studio spaces and, well, signed a lease a week later– with no clients. My biggest leap of faith, to this day, I am sure there will be more, haha. I remember coming home and telling my parents, specifically my mom, and her just looking at me like she had seen a ghost. I think she said something along the lines of “you have no clients, though.” I don’t know exactly what it was but there was something in my gut that said it would all work itself out.
Over the period of the next four months, I got to work on the only social media platform I knew had the most organic reach.. Tik Tok. I remember posting and advertising my business as if it was the most perfect place. The more I marketed this perfect studio I started envisioning myself running this business and building it with my family. I think that somewhere along the way, I began making decisions and meeting the people that would in turn become my exact dream come true.
I began sharing our grand opening and the rest is history. I remember my friends reposting the image, then my friends’ friends and all the sudden I am getting recognized at places like my local Dutch Bros, which was incredibly surreal.
One thing is to host an event, another is to actually have people show up to your event. To my complete surprise, I served a total of 103 clients that evening with many more that were unable to get a piercing that day. It still gives me chills to this day thinking that people waited up to 8 hours to get a piercing by me, all because they saw it on Tik Tok.
Since that moment I hit the ground running with Studio 937, named after my grandparents and the first home my family lived in after moving to The United States from Colombia. We have officially been open for 3 months as of November 1st and I just recently left my full-time job to run what was supposed to be a side hustle, full time. We now offer several piercing options, jewelry, piercing courses, offer microblading services and host events almost monthly.
I’d like to think that it was all because of one tik tok and don’t get me wrong, to an extent, it is. However, I now realize I am living the life I manifested for myself since a young age. It just took the right opportunities to put me where I was always meant to be. I owe my success to myself but most importantly owe it to my family, who has supported me in every single endeavor. They too spend hours, sweat and tears putting what this business needs to flourish and I really believe that’s why it has come so far so quickly.
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?
HAHA.
Man, if any business owner gets a smooth road, they’re probably lying. There’s a struggle every single day but I think I have gotten better at being a problem solver so what used to be a difficult task or path, isn’t as difficult as it once was.
One of the biggest struggles at first was because my business had/has a big social media presence. I took hate comments personally or if someone didn’t like my business, I took it to heart. It took me a minute but in reality, if someone doesn’t like my business or me, that’s none of my business.
One thing I struggle with right now is turning off my work mode. I find I guilt trip myself when I take time for myself which is essential when running a business. I don’t care what the hustlers say. I also am a 21-year-old woman who also struggles with imposter syndrome just as many young, first-generation women feel. Sometimes I feel I am not worthy of my business but as I get better in handling adversity and I’ve learned to accept that I am good at what I do, that feeling tends to not shout as much as it once did.
As you know, we’re big fans of Studio 937. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are a beauty and aesthetics company changing the trajectory of the beauty industry in Utah by providing luxury services and experiences. We are located in Sandy, Utah where we offer hollow needle piercings. microblading, training courses and many other services to come.
What sets us apart from the rest is the customer service and luxury aspect we provide. I believe quality will always go further than quantity and I am very proud to say that is one of the things we do best. I also am proud to have built the community we have. Service industries often talk about their “dream clients” and I feel that every single person that we have provided a service to, has been just that.
We are appointment based only. If you mention this article, we are offering $15 off your service.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Go after what you want and talk about what you often do. Nothing is impossible or off the table.
If you don’t share with others what you do, you’re missing out on possible leads, clients and opportunities.
I always will find the smartest person in the room and pick their brain. If I am the smartest in the room… I’m slacking.
Additionally, my email is always open to aspiring entrepreneurs. I love helping others who are in the same position as I was when I first started.
Pricing:
- Piercings: Starts at $55
- Microblading: Starts at $350
- Courses: Start at $750
Contact Info:
- Website: www.studioninethreeseven.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studioninethreeseven/
Image Credits
Maren Forsyth
Marisa Tafoya
