We’re looking forward to introducing you to Lina Smith. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Lina, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity for sure! Integrity is one of my core values and I live by it. I feel integrity is so important because without integrity, we have no honesty, respect, efficient communication, or even true success. There’s ALWAYS someone watching, even when we don’t think so, therefore, we constantly have opportunities to display integrity.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi all! I am Lina Smith aka The Grabber Guru. I am a licensed, private nail tech with a suite in Azia B’s Beauty Studio on Six Forks Rd. I’m what I like to call an all inclusive nail tech. I specialize in GelX, Acrylics, and Polygel but also offer Builder Gel, Overlays, Luxury Manicure, Luxury Pedicure, Polygel toes and GelX toes.
I started off just wanting to learn to do nails because I liked it. After a while, I realized that when I was doing my own nails, my brain was quiet and I was actually pretty good at it so I decided to go to school. I now have been doing nails for about 5 years now, licensed for 2 and in the salon for 2 years. My “Nailiversary” is actually coming up November 20th!
I’m very excited to announce I have recently added Custom Press Ons to my lineup as well! Next will be some exclusive retail items such as jewelry, fragrances, and even makeup and skincare’ that will be added. I’m truly excited to continue to grow as a professional and serve my clients in different ways.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
Life hasn’t ever been really kind to me. I moved A LOT as a child so I really don’t have any roots. Always being the new kid, it was hard making friends and socializing because I’m honestly quite the introvert. Honestly, I don’t recall ever feeling powerful until adulthood honestly. It hasn’t been until recently that I’ve been on this healing and growing journey that I feel powerful. I carry myself with honesty, respect and integrity and that in itself makes me feel powerful, especially looking at the way the world is changing, those are things that seem extremely scarce. I feel powerful knowing confidently that I am a hardworking, honest and respectable woman.
As a woman and entrepreneur, I believe it is critical to operate in your core values to remain authentically you, that’s where your true power comes from!
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have been lots of times I wanted to give up! Especially in my first year! We all like to think all of our friends and family will support us when we take on entrepreneurship and I got a rude awakening like most folks. When I first started, NONE of my family or friends other than my mom supported me. I’ve built my entire clientele organically off my growth and talent. In the times I wanted to give up, I would think about what would I be doing instead? Why would I give up on myself rather than betting twice? Why would I throw my true passion and outlet away? Every time I thought about giving up, my chest would get heavy and I’d just get emotional so I’ve stuck it out! And I’m so glad I have. 2024, at Azia B’s we won Bronze for Raleigh’s Best in the best nails category! To know
I was a part of that was a huge motivation and I’m now on a level that I didn’t think I’d reach. I’m really excited to see where we place this year! None of which would have happened if I gave up.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is definitely the real me! I don’t know to not be myself, even when I focus and try it just doesn’t work. I believe that it’s something my clients appreciate, they know they have someone that’s always going to be honest with them and always genuine. It’s truly a blessing and a curse but I am always myself, in this society, I believe authenticity is a superpower!
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace in the salon! When I’m working on a client, everything goes quiet. I feel calm and just in absolute bliss. My career is a blessing because I find it extremely fun yet relaxing to be creative and bring my clients visions to life. The moment I step into the salon, everything else gets left at the door and the world stops for a while and I get to breathe and just be me, not mommy, chauffeur, chef…just me. The salon is truly my favorite place aside from my bed🤭
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thegrabberguru.as.me
- Instagram: @thegrabberguru
- Facebook: The Grabber Guru
- Other: TikTok: @thegrabberguru
