Meet Sophie Rodriguez

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sophie Rodriguez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sophie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I always tell the story that as a child, I never got into things like toys, dolls, imaginative play, video games — it was always art for me. And it still is.

As I grew older, it got harder to prioritize it, especially as a Latina woman navigating being a college student at a PWI. We’re taught that education and earning the most money is the only way to do better for our community, even though those values are rooted in capitalism, which is what hurts our community. Regardless, I ended up studying accounting and political science, which makes me laugh looking back because of how retrospectively clear it is that that wasn’t for me.

Even in times I wasn’t listening to the artist in me as much as I should have, I knew deep down it was something I had no choice but to embrace. I tried mediums like embroidery, painting, digital art, jewelry making, you name it. Not everything “stuck,” but it reinforced to me that creating/ being creative was a deep purpose, and it was heavily intertwined with my being.

Alongside other creative ventures, I ended up starting to learn how to do my own nails. Not only was it super exciting creatively, it also ended up being a way to curb my anxious nail picking habit. So I kept at it and started to take it more seriously. It got to the point that I would have just done my nails but I would get the urge to do them again, just because of how much I enjoyed the creative outlet. When a friend of mine asked me if I could make her a set of press-ons and I realized I could do nail art as often as I wanted if it was in the form of press-ons, the rest was history.

I got into intricate miniature painting and sculpture in the form of nail art, and as I started to attract more clients, the artistic challenges made me better and better at my craft. They challenged me to make art inspired by things like different cultures, music albums, and visual art pieces.

After seeing how endless the possibilities were, I quickly learned that my thought process behind starting New Moon Nails didn’t nearly reflect how powerful it would end up becoming for me. To my surprise, what I thought would be a hobby-based side gig turned into the path that made me a successful, self-sufficient, and fulfilled career-artist.

It’s been the biggest privilege to let creativity lead my life. Through it, I’ve connected with some of the most amazing clients over the wearable art I make, so many other powerful creatives, and I’ve had so many moments that have affirmed to me that I’m where I’m meant to be. I believe that creating/ practicing creativity is what brings us closest to our divine nature, and getting to be in tune with it has helped me dream bigger than what our capitalistic culture would have wanted for me.

If New Moon Nails could inspire folks in one way, it would be this:
Don’t ignore the artist in you. The calling you have is your path to growth, healing, and connecting with yourself and the world around you. The world needs your art <3

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My favorite part about what I do is getting to be a part of my clients’ special moments. Whether it’s making a set for someone’s wedding, or a vacation, or a concert, getting to play a little part in boosting peoples’ confidence is so fulfilling. It’s also so necessary as a woman who works predominantly with women that we embrace taking up space, being creative, and feeling confident. That said, I also have the beautiful queer community that connects with my wearable art in a way that defies gender roles and self expression meaningful and affirming. There are so many ways in which this is all so much bigger than just painting nails. In that way, I’ve learned that the little things really do make the biggest difference.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite breakfast of all time is from La Finca Coffee House — the chorizo breakfast croissant is 11/10.
Puerto Rican food from Las Virellas is a must, as well as walking around Zócalo food park in the summer during market season. Best coffee and pastries award goes to Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. for sure. And if we have nothing to do, just walking by the lakefront with the city scape view is an activity in itself. Milwaukee is definitely underrated in my opinion and definitely worth a visit if you’ve never been!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There have been so many external factors that brought me to where I am, and the people around me being supportive is a huge part of that.

My mom has this phrase, “Sophie can make that!.” Whether it’s an item at the store or a piece of art at a museum, it’s a funny little phrase but it’s always meant that she believes in my creativity. Shoutout to her for sometimes believing in my skills more than I do (lol). And for being my unofficial, unpaid marketing department, always bringing up my name in every room.

I also look up to so many local artists I see who are paving the way for displaying the arts as a successful life path for our south side Milwaukee community. Fellow artists and entrepreneurs that deserve so many shoutouts include my friends Kaki (@mvgicspells), Yesi (@mvzapan), Gabriella (@avilaxvida_tattoos), and Nashalee (@tapas.ricas). These young, Milwaukee-based, Women of Color, inspiring artists and entrepreneurs are absolutely making waves, and if they’re reading this: I see you and appreciate you!

Website: https://cashdrop.com/new-moon-nails

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newmoon.nails.mke/

Other: tiktok: @new.moon.nails

Image Credits
Sophie Rodriguez