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Family brand Cuticle-B-Gone was invented by an all-female powerhouse team. Inventor Barbara Gomes created this nail tool out of a need for her own family. Barbara’s mother, a Breast Cancer Survivor who was left with a lymphedema arm, put her at a high risk for infection. Unable to cut her mother’s painful hangnails, Barbara filed them. Years later, Barbara found filing our cuticles was a better option and created a longer-lasting manicure. Cuticle-B-Gone is a safer and more effective way to manicure your nails, as cutting cuticles leads to damage and risk of infection. Due to the powerful story behind the product, the brand continues to donate a percentage of its profits to breast cancer awareness to this day.
Barbara Gomes, center, with daughters Danielle and Gabrielle Gomes. Photo courtesy of Cuticle-B-Gone
Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us, in your own words, about your inspiring story?
I’m Barbara Gomes, the founder and inventor of the patented Cuticle-B-Gone nail tool. My journey started decades ago with my mother, Agnes. She was a breast cancer survivor who lived with severe nerve damage and lymphedema in one arm, which made her incredibly susceptible to infection. Something as small as a nick on her cuticle could land her in the hospital for two weeks on IV antibiotics. I used to file her nails to keep her cuticles neat, but it scratched her nails and manicures, and I knew there had to be a better way. That moment became the spark that eventually turned into Cuticle-B-Gone—a safer, healthier, and more loving way to care for nails.
We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Cuticle-B-Gone didn’t happen overnight—it was a process built in baby steps. I sat on the idea for more than thirty years. When we finally took the leap, we started small with a 3-d printed prototype. We cut paper files out in the shape we needed and hand-glued them to the prototype. While it was far from perfect, it was something that we were able to try. It was a start.
From there we began the patent process and hired a medical device company to create a more formal prototype. One step led to the next. We received several patents and began manufacturing.
Then the real work started, we had to introduce a new way to care for your nails that was a major departure from how it’s commonly been done. We had to educate the public on the dangers of cutting cuticles, something that’s extremely pervasive in the nail industry. Cuticles are essential to protect your nails. Cutting cuticles often damages the healthy cuticle. The Cuticle-B-Gone tool gently buffs away the dead skin around the cuticle that most mistake as the cuticle. In fact, it’s illegal in several states to have your cuticle cut in a nail salon.
What made you decide to go into business for yourself?
Necessity and passion. I saw a problem—unsafe cuticle care tools—and I knew I had a solution that could help not only people like my mother but countless others. Once the idea for Cuticle-B-Gone took root, I couldn’t shake it. When Covid hit and our world shut down, I knew it was now or never.
How did you market your business when it was brand new?
In the beginning, it was a lot of grassroots marketing. I attended events, trade shows, and beauty expos—often investing more time and money than I got back in sales. But those early events were invaluable for building connections, getting feedback, and putting the product into people’s hands. Social media also became a key tool for sharing the story behind Cuticle-B-Gone and educating people about the importance of cuticle health.
What is a typical day like for you?
No two days are exactly the same, but most start with a big cup of coffee. I’m lucky to have two of my daughters to help with Cuticle-B-Gone and we each have our area of expertise. I tend to handle the day-to-day operations. My daughter, Danielle, focuses on marketing and branding. While my daughter, Gabrielle, handles more of the technical aspects of having a direct-to-consumer brand.
What are the three most important habits to be a successful entrepreneur?
- Persistence – Keep going even when it feels like nothing is working.
- Adaptability – Be willing to learn, pivot, and try new approaches.
- Self-belief – Trust yourself, your product, and your vision, even when others don’t see it yet.
If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out, what would it be?
Take action. You can have a million great ideas, but you won’t know their value until you put them into motion. And once you do, you’ll find the fear that held you back starts to disappear.
Does your company help the community where it is located?
Absolutely. Cuticle-B-Gone’s mission is rooted in helping people. We have partnered with Breast Cancer Awareness organizations and hospitals. We’ve donated portions of our sales. We’ve also donated our product to hospitals to include in care packages that they give to women going through chemo.
Every entrepreneur has a goal and problem they’re trying to solve. What was the inspiration that started your journey?
My mother was my inspiration. Watching her struggle with something as simple as a manicure because of her health made me realize there was a gap in the market for a safe, gentle, effective cuticle care tool. My goal was to protect that natural barrier and make nail care healthier for everyone.
How do you prioritize self-care and well-being while managing the demands of your business?
I practice what I preach. I build small acts of self-care into my day—a short walk, lots of dinners with my family and friends, fresh flowers around my house. Manicures—and yes, my manicurist is a fan of using the Cuticle-B-Gone tool. Those little moments add up and remind me that my health and peace of mind are just as important as my business goals.
What would you consider your biggest accomplishment and why?
This is my second career. I was a professional dancer and ballerina in my first career. I performed in countless shows including the Folies Bergere, Liberace’s Show, and I was a founding member of the Nevada Ballet Theatre, to name a few. My daughters would say that launching a company and a new career in my seventies is my biggest accomplishment, but I disagree.
My biggest accomplishment is turning an idea born out of love for my mother into a patented product that’s helping people. Every time someone tells me Cuticle-B-Gone changed the way they care for their nails, I feel like I’ve succeeded. My mother was so incredibly strong and positive. She was always laughing and never complained. She did more with one arm than many could do with two. So to have created a product that honors her legacy while helping others is extremely fulfilling.
We all face challenges. Looking back, what have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve had to navigate?
One of the biggest challenges was getting people to understand why protecting the cuticle matters. Many people grew up thinking trimming them was normal. Educating customers and changing habits takes time and patience. On the business side, we also had to learn manufacturing, marketing, and distribution from the ground up—which was overwhelming at times but ultimately rewarding.
Photo courtesy of Cuticle-B-Gone
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Melissa Stewart is the founder of SheOwnsIt.com. She is a Purveyor of Possibility, Entrepreneur Advocate and Coffee Addict. She believes that behind every successful woman is her story. What’s your story?
