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I quit my job this is not an exaggeration the next day, Vieira tellsAllure.
Photography by Cecilie Olaussen
I was like, guys, Ive got to go open up a nail salon.
And people were like, Wait, youre going to do what?
Vieira was still wearing thered polishfrom that manicure when she moved across the country just three weeks later.
Vieira chats with a nailsaloon client.
Vieira chats with a nailsaloon client.
Operating a beauty business in the epicenter of politics and power comes with unconventional challenges.
Oftentimes I have to sign a blind NDA saying I cant reveal who the service is for.
Vieira with nailsaloon’s Nonna Bayasgalan (left) and Katherine Ortiz.
No one else touches my nails, Damtew says.
Its like my escape, says Damtew.
Where did you grow up and how did that influence your life path?
Amanda Moreno, nailsaloon’s general manager, poses with Vieira.
Andrea Vieira:I was born in Brazil.
Im currently in my hometown, Belo Horizonte, meaning beautiful horizon.
Its in the mountains; a really beautiful city in a valley.
I come from a massive family.
I have 20 aunts.
My parents are each one of 10.
My parents were next door neighbors.
you’re free to imagine what family life is like here.
When youre in a family of 150 people, 160, you should probably be loud to be seen.
Allure: Thats a lot.
AV:Its a lot.
In many ways, no place for me is home and every place is home.
You kind of belong everywhere, and you belong nowhere.
Im here in Brazil and Im not Brazilian enough.
When Im in the States, Im not American enough.
You always feel a little bit out of place.
Because Im so used to being the odd person out, you know?
Allure: What were you doing prior to becoming a beauty entrepreneur?
AV:From my early thirties on, I wanted to leave corporate America.
I worked as a journalist for a long time.
After I left hard news, I knew going into business was something I wanted.
I went to business school.
After getting an MBA, I went to be a speechwriter.
Not exactly the traditional route.
But it was cool.
That did have some reporting in it still.
Vieira with nailsaloon’s Nonna Bayasgalan (left) and Katherine Ortiz.
Allure: When did you change careers again?
AV:I was 39 when I opened the nailsaloon.
I always love to say my age because I feel like we need to normalize age.
So, 39 was when I was living in Seattle.
I was contemplating opening up a business.
All these ideas that were, in that moment, becoming a thing.
Then one day, I was getting my nails done in a super rinky dink place.
I was joking with her on the phone.
We were laughing, and she was cutting in and out.
I was living in D.C. three weeks [after] that manicure.
I still had the polish on.
Allure: How did you know you wanted to open up these nail salons in D.C.?
AV:My friend was there.
And of all the places Ive ever lived, D.C. is the one Ive boomeranged back to the most.
Its the place that feels most like home.
Its a city that is not intimidating.
Its very embracing of people.
Its just such a transient city.
That, for me, is obviously a very familiar state.
I felt my internet would help me.
Because lets just be honest, I had no idea what it would take to open up a business.
And if I did, I probably would still be in Seattle writing speeches.
Allure: What was the toughest part about getting the business off the ground?
AV:You just dont know.
Youre like, Okay, lets do this but you have no idea.
[Its like], Wait, what do you mean?
You dont start paying the day you sign.
What do you mean its a three-month negotiation on a lease?
What do you mean I need lawyers for this?
Oh, yeah, a payroll company, I should hire one.
You just dont know.
I mean, I didnt know.
Maybe other people know, but I was so green.
Its so many obscure things.
I always say its like an exercise in list-making.
Allure: How did you raise money to bring up the first nailsaloon location?
AV:I sold my car.
I sold my house in Seattle.
I took on seven different freelance jobs.
I kept writing for different clients.
People would call me saying, I need somebody to translate a script for National Geographic.
I was working a lot because we needed to.
We didnt have investors.
I still dont have investors.
Allure: You bootstrapped the whole thing?
I remember at our opening, we had literally $3 to our name.
We thought this is it.
We better start selling some manicures.
It was kind of a hit from the beginning because it didnt exist before.
There wasnt an in-between that you could just walk into that would provide an elevated experience.
Allure: What happened when you bought out your business partner?
AV:I opened up the nailsaloon with a dear friend.
We always dreamed of going into business together.
Thats when I realized how badly I didnt want to be the one to leave.
Thankfully, thats when she decided that she did.
It worked out really well for both of us.
Amanda Moreno, nailsaloon’s general manager, poses with Vieira.
Allure: What challenges have you faced on your entrepreneurial journey?
People still mansplain a lot.
They also assume that, especially because its the beauty business, its some cute little hobby.
Are you kidding me?
This is not some fly-by-night little hobby that I do.
But people do treat you like that.
We have 40-foot chandeliers at the nailsaloon covered in crystals.
I have hung all of those crystals myself.
Those were hung by these hands, you know what I mean?
Just doing the work.
Allure: What do you enjoy most about your job?
I think all of us can relate to going to the hair salon.
You really do see people leaving a little happier than when they arrived.
Its flattering and humbling to help create that for people.
What was she like when she came in for a service?
AV:Shes darling.
As soon as she moved to D.C., she discovered us and started coming in.
We were like, Whoa, thats the senator from California.
She and her husband, now the second gentleman, used to come quite a bit.
Theyre lovely people, very kind, personable.
Allure: What were her nail polish and drink preferences?
She always wore ZoyasBelaorSabrina, which are still very popular colors at the salon.
She has very nice nails so it almost looked like a French manicure, but theyre not.
Those are her real nails.
Shes a big cook too, so she didnt like her nails too long.
She would drink green tea with honey, always.
And she would read during her appointment time.
Shed take her iPad out, put on her hat.
Some people would recognize her, but they wouldnt bother her.
AV:Oh my goodness.
AV:If I could, I would.
Unfortunately, at 48, those days are gone.
You just dont wake up that late anymore.
I like a slow morning.
I would go through the newspapers for probably two hours.
Then I would take a dance class.
I love to dance.
Anything from belly dancing to salsa dancing to samba to hip hop.
Then I would take a nap.
Is that bad that I want to take a nap before lunch?
Allure: Not at all.
AV:Then Id probably spend the rest of the day cooking for family and loved ones.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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