Hair Done, Nails Done, Teeth Done: Gen-Z Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age

This article was originally published by Align Magazine.

By Sydney Seymour

In the middle of snipping the inaugural bright red ribbon outside her tooth gem salon, University of Oregon sociology major and entrepreneurship minor Morgan Glinski '25, woke up from her dream. 

“It was one of the most surreal feelings ever because the dream felt so real and doable,” Glinski said. “It reminded me that I could accomplish anything if I set my mind to it. I truly think that was one of the main factors that pushed me to start a tooth gem business.” 

Glinski started giving classmates tooth gems in high school after her friend, who owned a tooth gem business herself, suggested Glinski start one too. Glinski earned  her tooth gem license in the summer of 2024 through online courses on Udemy. She learned about sanitation codes, tooth anatomy, and how to properly apply a tooth gem. She made her first sale in November 2024. “It started with a computer and a passion,” she said. 

Her current work also involves spending time online, promoting her business on her Instagram account, @toothgemsbymo and keeping up with tooth gem trends on social media.

“Seeing what people are spending their money on helps form what I want to do in my business,” she said. “It's inspiring to see what established tooth gem technicians create.” 

She also connects with tooth gem technicians via social media. One well-known tooth artist, @Portlandtoothfairy, supplies Glinski with her gems. 

“I trust her products,” Glinski said. “She sends me extra gifts, restocks items for me, and offers advice. I told her that I'm starting a business, and she was very open and wonderful.” 

While navigating college and starting a business, Glinski stresses about time management and scheduling but takes advantage of her proximity to potential customers.

“Being around young students all day is a huge benefit to the business,” she said. “I've passed out multiple business cards to people walking around. If I think they have a beautiful smile, I'll just hand them a little card.” 

To those who are thinking about starting a business while in college, “The only thing stopping you is fear of not succeeding,” Glinski said. “And surely, once you put that thought behind you, the possibilities are endless.” 

She continued, “Trust yourself and your vision, and know that you're completely capable.” 

Another UO student who entered entrepreneurship in the digital age, Maria Custodio '25, paints nails out of her apartment and actively posts her nail art on Instagram and TikTok. 

“Everything I have learned is through the internet,” she said. 

Custodio started doing her own nails in middle school—learning from YouTube tutorials—as a form of “self-expression” because her parents didn’t allow her to do makeup. She didn’t start profiting off of painting other people’s nails until the winter term of 2024. Since then, she has amassed over 80 clients. “I like giving other people a little piece of my art,” Custodio said.

To promote and maintain her business, Custodio uses social media and the internet. In addition to staying consistent with social posts, Custodio finds her designs online and messages nail artists for advice through Instagram, like @paintedbypatt_, @nailsbyaulani, and @addiisnails. She also learned how to take pictures of nails from TikTok and nail artists online.

“I like to follow nail techs with a lot of followers, and then I'll message them if I have a question about something, and they usually respond,” Custodio said. “We mostly talk about the products that they use or how they're taking their pictures.” 

To manage a college-work-life balance, Custodio prioritizes nails and school. Like Glinski, she blocks out a time each week when she knows she can practice her art. 

“Balance is hard for me,” she said. “Sometimes I’ll be doing nails every day of the week and won’t have time to do schoolwork. I've also had to sacrifice my fitness–I like to work out but I stopped working out so I can do nails.”

Custodio advises other people hoping to start a creative business to “Put yourself out there and don't be shy. This is your form of art, so be proud about it and confident.”

Regarding the abundance of online information, she said, “There's so many resources for you to learn how to do something, and it takes time. Use other people as inspiration, and give yourself grace. Don't compare yourself to other people because they put in work too.”