I have been experimenting with nail polish since I was ten years old. Being the daughter of someone who is multi-talented and who has worked in a salon doing hair and nails, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I am addicted to nail polish. I shop for nail polish like Paris Hilton shops for shoes, and that is not an exaggeration.
With so many brands of nail polish out right now like Sally Hansen, China Glaze, and Barielle, just to name a few,it’s always refreshing to see smart businesswoman starting their own brand from the bottom up. I had the pleasure of interviewing the founder and creator of a new Indie nail polish line called Sassy Cats Lacquer. Mohrayma Chavez, born and raised in the Bronx (her parents originated from Puerto Rico and Ecuador), has a full-time job working for a major cellphone company and started Sassy Cats Lacquer on the side one year ago. Each bottle of Sassy Cats Lacquer features their signature label, which includes two black cats facing each other against a white background. My interview with Mohrayma made me gain insight as to the inner workings of the person behind the brand.
What was your dream career when you were a child?
My dream career when I was a child was to become a famous fashion designer. My father worked as a fabric cutter and always brought fabric home; I would use the extra pieces to create outfits for my dolls. You should’ve seen the things I would come up with. My imagination took me to the High School of Fashion Industries and then I went to FIT for a bit, as well. But as I grew my design concept grew and I decided to learn web design. I also had a job as a web designer for a year.
Where did the idea of making your own nail polish come from?
Let’s say I love learning different things and I also love computers. But within all this time I realized I grew an addiction for polish and always did my nails and designs because I was never satisfied with the work of salons. I always received compliments on my natural nails. I’m grateful to my mom for great genes and good nails. When I discovered girls were using social networking to post about nail polishes and designs, I decided to do the same and I began as sassynaildesigns on Instagram. There I discovered the world of indie nail polish. I then asked myself, “Why am I hoarding polishes when I can just create whatever I want for myself?”
Starting a small business/brand is hard at first. What finally prompted you to start Sassy Cats Lacquer?
I realized “Oh my god! People actually want handmade nail polish, get out!” Then it hit me: I should pursue a small business. I knew it would be hard. But I have the type of spontaneous personality; I’ll just do things because I want to give it a shot. I knew there was a possibility I could fail because the market has become saturated with Indie nail polish makers but till this day I refuse to give up. I love nail polish and I love the support I receive from customers. I have even grown friendships with these nail girls.
Sassy Cats Lacquer is a very unique name. Where did you come up with the name?
I came up with my brand name easily; I of course did some research first before choosing it. Sassy Cats Lacquer comes from my pets — oh my god, they are the sassiest cats ever. They absolutely run my household. I also tend to give good sass myself, but my cats have me beat. I also think of nails and think of cat claws, it was just so fitting and it means so much to me.
Do you intend on making other products besides nail polish in the near future and expanding the brand?
I absolutely love making polishes. I have a goal of making every type possible. I recently started selling nail accessories such as furry cat nail files, cat nail decals and charms. I’m also currently working on making cuticle oil and maybe some cuticle balm in the future.
What is the next step for Sassy Cats Lacquer?
My next step is to continue on growing my brand. I’m trying to reach as many nail polish lovers as possible. I would love to see my polish on some international nail girls.
Where do you want Sassy Cats to be five years from now?
Sassy Cats Lacquer will make one year at the end of July. Five years from now seems so far away, but I would love to see it be my full time and only job. I’m unsure if I would ever go commercial instead of Indie because I love to create and hand make them myself. I like to put love into my unique creations.
When you first visit the Sassy Cat Lacquer website the first thing you notice is how striking, vibrant and gorgeous the nail polishes are. Starting off a brand with nail polishes with lively colors was a good marketing idea because that’s how you capture people’s attention; especially nail polish obsessed people like me. While Mohrayma says she would rather stay Indie, it’s hard to believe that if offered the chance to have some small salons around NYC stock her nail polish, she would say no. Colors like these should be shared with the world! Especially if they are of good quality and sassy like Sassy Cats Lacquer.
Twisted Talk: Will you be shopping Sassy Cats Lacquer? Which polish is your favorite? Discuss below!
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