Meet Maria Ortiz, a transgender nail tech, of Zeyne Unisex Salon in New Jersey. She is most known for empowering the women known as “The Long Nail Goddesses” for over ten years. Being outcast was a familiar experience as result of her transgender journey, it was natural for Ortiz to encourage women with extremely long nails to be proud of themselves. She provides the women with armor decked out in the visions they dream up while upkeeping her own long nails. She is also able to bond with her clients on a deeper level as she becomes an impromptu therapist and support group leader throughout her shift.

Tammy Dunmore, the first lady at a local Baptist church has been a frequent client of Ortiz’ over the past few years after she moved from South Carolina. Dunmore’s extravagant nails had oft put many parishioners when she first became apart of the community, so meeting fellow goddesses had brought her a sense of comfort and reassured her confidence. To this day, all of the women are front row parishioners at her church.

I consider Maria Ortiz to be a beautiful representation of inspiration for the nail tech community and myself due to the amount of effort shown with and without talking. She puts so much energy into all of her clients that step into her shop while securing a large clientele for herself while growing her group of Long Nail Goddesses. Being a nail technician, you have to finish all your jobs with passion and hard work and that’s exactly what Ortiz does. She is not focused on the money but focused on every client’s happiness and confidence when they leave the shop.

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