Meet Dani Ruelas Jones | Manicurist, Business Owner, Service Based Small Business Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dani Ruelas Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dani, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
My favorite affirmation is actually a quote. “All is Well”

“All is well, I promise. Everything is for the good whether we know it or not”. This was said to me during a chance encounter with Singer/Actress Jill Scott in 2016. I was having a super difficult, character building day and was in an emotional state when I bumped into Jill at my then place of employment.

The encounter was life changing and the “affirmation” has inspired me many times over since then. I

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Established in 2011, PopUp Mani by Dani is a mobile manicure business offering on call/on site nail care services to private,corporate, retail, and high profile clients. In 2016 PopUp Mani For a Cause became a non profit based service offering nail care and wellness to shelters that serve individuals and families impacted by homelessness, domestic violence, mental illness, and drug addiction. With help of the proceeds from sales of my homemade “CocoChoco Mint” Sugar Scrubs, PopUp Mani For a Cause has been able to serve shelters in both Boston and Miami. In 2019 I created “dani.isms”, a series of pocket sized. affirmation decks and inspirational quotes by Dani. In 2021, Stepping Stones Consulting began offering services to individuals in service industries who were transitioning into sole proprietorship.

I believe what sets me apart is my commitment to being a “lifelong learner”. I am most proud of how I confidently manifest every idea to fruition. 2020 was extremely challenging on for my business and mental health, however, I “pivoted” and in July of this year, The MANiCave at Bare, came to be inside if the Bare Skin + Beauty’s Independent Studio Rooms. The MANiCave was an idea from 2017 to offer nail grooming services in a man centric environment as a series of popups, but due to the pandemic, I was in a brick and mortar for the first time. I am very excited about what is to come within this space.

I wish I could credit how I have overcome the challenges I have faced with some cliche professional quote, but I simply overcame because quitting was not an option. I leapt into full time self employment in 2017 on faith and an overdrawn bank account and the help of some amazing individuals who appeared like angels when times were tough. I hit the ground running and have so many wonderful and proud memories of where my hobby turned career has taken me. I have wanted to do nails since I was a little girl and I’m still amazed at what that small dream has become.

In 2015 one of my young clients turned “mentee” coined the term “DANICURE” referring to her “manicure, Dani style”, and it stuck! #DANICURE has been my hashtag since and refers to all things “Dani” and the way in which I have set myself apart personally and professionally: “The DANICURE” Way!”

If there was anything I would want the world to know about me or my “brand story” is that my way, The #DANICURE way is a standard of excellence born of passion, integrity, self awareness, accountability, commitment to continuous improvement, professionalism, “dazzling”. Clients, giving back, and being a ‘Stepping Stone” in the success of others.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am all about scenery and socially distant vibes, so if I had a friend in either of my cities, Boston or Miami, we would definitely dine for brunch on a Sunday at Zaz Restaurant in Hyde Park for the BEST latin/Caribbean/Asian fusion menu in all of Massachusetts or Red Rooster Overtown in Miami for some “elevated soul food” that’s next level dining! I’m a coffee aficionado,so in Boston we would chat over espresso in the “central perk” of Boston,Dudley Cafe in Roxbury after some holiday shopping at “Snowport Holiday Shops” (I LOVE a PopUp Shop!) where we’ll find The TéSpa, an immersive experience for lovers of everything tea, and Mavology, “natural skincare made with intention created to embrace and cultivate self-love, empowerment & balance.” These are definitely on my “favorite things” list! In Miami, I’m having a “Cabablanca” at La Colada Gourmet en Calle Ocho with a Cuban cigar (did I mention I love coffee?) and on a Thursday night, we’d be at the Live Music Garden enjoying the best authentic Haitian food and live music in the beautiful Naomi’s Miami garden seating area. Both towns are rich with culture and I’m always offering my nearest and dearest friends memorable experiences in the (not so) hidden gems each season in either city!

Alright, so let’s jump right in! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there a person, group, organization, book, etc. that you want to dedicate your shoutout to? Who else deserves a little credit and recognition in your story?  
So many people deserve a shoutout in my success story. So many have assisted me and supported me specifically business wise. I have Alina Gardner, Paula Dickerman, 10:60 Designs, Rise And Shine Cleaning Services, Sasha Florival /Bare Skin + Beauty and so many more! One of the most life changing books I have ever read more than ten times is “A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of ‘A Course In Miracles” by Marianne Williamson.

Instagram: Instagram.com/daninailz

Facebook: Facebook.com/daninailz

Other: HTTPS://linktr.ee/daninailz