Today we’d like to introduce you to Genevieve Henriquez.
Genevieve, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I actually started out doing nails without a license, just out of passion. After a while, I realized I wanted to take it further, so I went to manicurist school, got licensed in 2021, and soon after opened my first salon, Glammed Out Nails & Beauty. I ran that successfully for three years, but during that time I noticed a huge gap in the industry, so many new nail techs were leaving school without the confidence or real-world skills they needed to thrive.
That experience planted the seed for what I’m doing now. After selling my salon, I began teaching workshops from my salon, and the demand grew quickly. That’s when I decided to open **Tha Nail Artistry Academy** in Houston. My goal was simple: to create the kind of school I wish I had when I was starting out, one that not only teaches the craft but also prepares students for the business side, with mentorship that continues long after graduation.
Today, we’re proud to be helping aspiring nail techs build both their skills and their careers, and it’s been such a rewarding journey seeing students leave with the confidence to step into the industry as leaders.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I’ve faced challenges both personally and professionally. Growing up, I didn’t have the easiest childhood and that shaped a lot of my drive to build something of my own. When I finally opened my salon I ran into the struggles that most small business owners face such as long hours, wearing every hat, and trying to find and keep reliable staff.
Transitioning from salon owner to school owner came with a whole new set of obstacles. The licensing process with the state is very detailed and can take months. The buildout for the academy required unexpected costs like plumbing and ventilation, and of course there’s the challenge of funding a new business while still supporting my family.
Each obstacle taught me something valuable including resilience, creativity, and the importance of trusting the process. Looking back, the struggles were necessary because they pushed me to create a school that is stronger and more intentional than I could have imagined when I first started.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Tha Nail Artistry Academy is a state licensed nail school located in Houston, Texas 77041. We specialize in providing a complete 600 hour manicurist program that combines hands-on training with business development and lifelong mentorship. Our mission is to prepare students not just to pass the state board but to graduate with the confidence and skills needed to launch their own careers or businesses in the beauty industry.
What sets us apart is that we go beyond the basics. Other schools focus only on state requirements, but we make sure our students leave with advanced techniques, real client experience, and the knowledge to handle the business side of the industry. We will soon offer hybrid learning with a portion of theory taught online and the rest hands-on in person, making it more flexible and accessible for students with busy lives.
I am most proud of the fact that our brand stands for empowerment and opportunity. We are not just teaching nails, we are building leaders in the beauty industry. Our students graduate knowing how to attract clients, run their business professionally, and carry themselves with confidence. I want readers to know that when they come to Tha Nail Artistry Academy they are joining a community that truly cares about their long-term success, both behind the nail table and beyond it.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I had to grow up faster than most kids. My childhood was tough and I always felt like I was placed in situations I didn’t deserve. Deep down I knew I was too smart to be in the position I was put in and I was constantly fighting with myself to find a way out. That fight turned into drive. Even though I didn’t know the word for it back then, I was always drawn to entrepreneurship. I was the type to figure out how to make something out of nothing, always thinking of ways to earn or create opportunities for myself.
That feeling of wanting more shaped me into someone who refuses to settle. It made me strong willed, resilient, and determined to create a different future than the one I was handed. Looking back, those struggles are what gave me the grit to take risks, start businesses, and keep pushing forward no matter what.
Pricing:
- Complete Program (Weekday, 6 Months): $5,500 pay in full or $5,800 with payment plan
- Complete Program (Weekend, 9 Months): $6,000 pay in full or $6,300 with payment plan
- License Only Program (Weekday, 6 Months): $4,200 pay in full or $4,500 with payment plan
- License Only Program (Weekend, 9 Months): $4,700 pay in full or $5,000 with payment plan
- $150 application fee required for all programs; tuition includes kit, books, and uniforms
Contact Info:
- Website: thanailartistry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanailartistryacademy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thanailartistryacademy
