Meet Desiree Gonzalez | Nail Artist

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

Hi Desiree, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Art has been apart of my life as long as i could remember. Growing up I remember being that kid in my class who didn’t want to be a doctor or an astronaut, i always wanted to be an artist. I didn’t know what kind of artist, but it didn’t matter. Writing this today feels surreal because i never thought I’d be the artist i am today, beyond just the nails. I didn’t know if or when it would happen but i know my younger self would be LIT & PROUD! There’s many reasons why i pursued a creative career but all i can really say is i just always felt it in me, it’s just who i am.
I took the risk of leaving a good job to gain a greater life, to have a career that doesn’t feel like a job, to connect with myself and my community the way i wanted to. Having a good job doesn’t mean you’re happy or guarantee happiness, you have to love what you do to gain the greater things. Choosing myself, my happiness, has yes been rough, but the best thing i could’ve ever done for myself and I’m proud and excited because this is just the beginning of my creative outlet!
If you’re reading this and wondering if you should take that risk, do it. Art has no rules, art it what YOU make of it and life is about experiences. Tupac said “Even a caterpillar must crawl in dirt before it soarz as a butterfly
Yesterday is gone forever
Tomorrow is secondz away
Let go of the past; make way 4 the future
And enjoy the blessingz of today”.
BLESS UP!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m most proud of my dedication, consistency, authenticity, and hustle. This is how i got to where i am today and where I’m going. The lessons I’ve learned from it all is patience, understanding that i will have good and bad days and slow progress is still progress. Understanding that failure is apart of getting better & winning. Art is what you make of it. What i want the world to know about CHERRY is highlighting women in business, where I’m from, representing my community through art and experience.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Of course kicking back at the shop with the homies ( @dohvahsbarbershop ) but I’m definitely taking a stroll passed the mercadito in East LA! The food, the vibe, the culture, it’s a small piece of Mexico in the heart of home. Sunday’s on Whittier blvd is a different type of vibe, that LA Chicano, brown & proud cruise to admire and remember. LA is full of places to be, the hikes, views, bowling, nightlife, museums, the beach, etc. I’m that friend that will go anywhere with you, the small things really matter to me

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shout out everyone who has ever supported me, from social media to my clients, my family, my friends, strangers on the street, YOU MAKE ME HAPPY & SO GRATEFUL! Shout out to all the artist I’ve met & not met, y’all inspire me in so many ways & keep me going!
Danny(aka BHET @losangelesfumados) i will always remember waiting for you to get home so we can draw, shout out to you for the lessons, my first black book, and artistic memories i hold forever.
Mom, Ashley, thank you for making my art feel important even if you didn’t know it. Thank you for saving every little thing i doodled on & showing it off like a museum.
Ivan, my rock, shout out to you for being the backbone i needed through out the whole process of creating our businesses together. You believed in me when i didn’t believe in me.
I LOVE YALL <3

Instagram: @323.cherry

Other: Tiktok: 323.cherry

Image Credits
@dstnct.la @caseyorozco