Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Reed.
Hi Monica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started late in life! I had been working in the car business for over 20 years in the accounting department. I’d been feeling unfulfilled for some time, and then Covid happened! I actually had quit with no plan of what to do next, and suddenly all the salons shut down, I thought no biggie, I’ve been getting my nails done since I was 11, I could totally do it myself lolol. So I spent a lot on Amazon and tortured myself for months, even gave myself an allergy! Anyways I had become enraptured pretty quickly and had nails on the brain 24/7. My husband was super into it and encouraged me to learn professionally and to have that be my career. I was against it, I just couldn’t see how I could be successful and make money. But lucky for me, he believed in me enough for the both of us, I decided on an apprenticeship and I never looked back! About 6 months after I finished the apprenticeship, a friend in the salon and I decided to get a studio suite together and be in control of our own businesses. Now here I am a couple years later, lots of tears, lots of laughs and most importantly the most supporting clientele around..and I own my own salon. What a wild ride!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not smooth! I’m very lucky that I had my husband to support me when I was still growing my clientele, I don’t know if I would’ve made it actually. They say the first 5 years are the hardest, but honestly I think it excited me, just the potential of what it could grow into. Money was of course a huge factor, and time! There were long stretches where I worked 12+ hour days and worked back to back with no days off. In my mind I felt I had to be available for my clients always, and if there was no one in my chair then I was practicing my nail art and trying to navigate social media.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Pinche Collective?
At the Pinche Collective we offer structured gel, gel-x, and extensive nail art. What is unique at my salon is that when you walk in, you feel like you’ve just walked into your besties house to hang out. We’ve usually got a funny movie going, yummy snacks and lots of interesting convo. I’m unapologetically inclusive, welcoming and offer a space for all. Right now we live in a very polarizing society, and I make it clear to all where we stand— anti ICE and human rights are very important to us, and continuing to offer a safe, progressive space for marginalized communities is at the forefront for us.
I cant say that my work stands out from anyone else, there are so many talented techs out there, but what I can say is different about me, is that I have a different perspective, I’m newish to the industry but I’m also Gen-X, and we are a no BS generation lol. I’d like to think that when clients who are my age(ish) find me, that they feel a sense of relief that they can have a conversation with someone who relates to their life in this point of time. Nothing wrong with being a young tech, but sometimes us oldies wanna have someone they can relate with!
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Oh absolutely so many to shout out! First, my husband for pushing me, my former business partner who I grew with and learned so much from, and my clients who refer me any chance they get, they’re the real ones!
Pricing:
- The Basic B $70 one color structured gel
- Let’s get down +$75 basic nail art
- Want it, need it +$80 moderate nail art (auras,chrome)
- The Business +$85 advanced nail art (3D,charms etc)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Pinchecollective.com
- Instagram: @_monicaspinchenails
