About Me
Leibnitz Barragan
Who am I?
Born in Mexico, my parents migrated to Arizona when I was 3 years old. Once I turned 16 I found a passion in art. I took drawing courses in high school and my mom helped me see that, that very practice could take place in the form of nails. My sister was a willing practice hand for me as well as a few more friends from school. At the age of 18, my mother saw my abilities before I did and she surprised me by paying for my nail school. No more practicing clients I now had the opportunity to gain an income. Although I wasn’t even sure about this profession I still stuck with it. After school, I started working at a nail bar, now closed, in Scottsdale (Terés). There I worked alongside my still good friend Jessica and where I met my wife, Danii of (Danii's Creation). My wife & friends encouraged me to pursue more in my nail career. In fact, up until now, I may have never considered being a nail artist as a career. But to my surprise, my clients were not only appreciative of my nail art but also of my nail services. I was able to grow my clientele because I had clients who had a variety of concerns related to their nail bed health. I focused on their needs and then applied my art after I felt like they were taken care of. Once I grew more confident in my care for each client’s hands my clients then wanted me to step up my artist game. Challenges came left and right. The restrictions caused me to have to practice my skills late in the evenings too, managing and running a full one-man operation. But it wasn’t just work for me.
After only 4 months of starting my business, my wife was fully onboarded support. Her help is what has helped me in growing my business from day 1, but temporary help, wasn’t what going to cut it, as I had originally thought. She got pregnant with our 1st princess within the 1st year of starting on my own. Yep, princess, what fate to a nail artist. I was very excited but I was only at the start of my career. I pushed through & had the fortune to meet some incredible people along the way, each of which who helped me in their way. Now, I’m blessed with the everlasting embrace of 2 princesses every time I walk through the door. While still having the ability to maintain my career.
Why nails?:
I actually started nails by chance. Till this day, I’m not quite sure if my mother challenged me to become a nail tech because she has any other reason, other than to give me a chance. See, as a teenager, we don’t think about the future. Although college is a great option, it is costly and time-consuming. Times are very different than before and I think my mother saw that. Nail tech was a way to make money on a schedule that I could control while attending college and it’s a great deal of help when you need cash quicker than your typical paycheck. So I just always stuck with it.
Do you like it?
Yes, I do! Honestly, I’m not quite sure that I ever disliked it. After all, when I got off work to offer my services as a private nail tech, it was nice to sit a chat with someone and showcase some artwork. I love to paint and draw, it’s a hobby of mine. This was a way of doing that while making some cash for doing it.
LeibNailz LLC
Nail artist
LeibNailz is an independent artist renting a space at Stash House AZ in Phoenix, Arizona.
Accomplishments
Nail Pro Mag - March 2019
Nail Pro Mag - January 2019
Nail Pro Mag- November 2018
Brand Ambassador for Gel Bottle
Brand Ambassador for Blue Streak Crystals
