Gaby Bernal believes luxury and empowerment can coexist.
That’s why she launched Studio Ninethreeseven, a modern, female-centered beauty and body art studio. Services include piercings, permanent jewelry and makeup, lash and brow treatments, and custom charm creation. She is now growing the business in the University of Utah’s Master of Business Creation (MBC) program.
Bernal goes further than simply providing services with her startup. Her studio is also a hub for education.
“We offer professional training through hands-on and online courses in piercing and permanent jewelry designed to help aspiring artists launch or grow their careers,” she said. “I’ve always been passionate about self-expression, and I saw a gap in the industry: there were plenty of studios offering services, but few that combined high-quality beauty treatments with real business education.”
Bernal hopes her studio can bridge that gap and make beauty more accessible. As part of this effort, Studio Ninethreeseven prices piercings as low as $18 through its Piercing Student Model Program. This hands-on training opportunity has served over 100 clients so far.
“We support conviction, creativity, and entrepreneurship,” she said. “We want to give our community the tools to turn their passions into sustainable, profitable businesses.”
Enrolling in the MBC program was a dream come true for Bernal.
“By joining the MBC program, I’ve been able to build meaningful relationships with like-minded entrepreneurs who are navigating similar, if not identical, challenges,” she said. “Having a space to share ideas, gain feedback, and support one another has been incredibly valuable. It’s not just theory or generic business advice—you’re learning alongside other founders who are in the trenches with you, which creates a powerful, supportive environment. The mentorship is tailored, the resources are actionable, and the growth feels tangible.”
Since its launch, Studio Ninethreeseven has reached hundreds of customers, led many in-person and online courses, and started efforts to scale nationwide.
Participating in the MBC program has helped foster this growth and keep Bernal going.
“My confidence has grown tenfold in the MBC program,” Bernal said. “The program has equipped me with the tools, resources, and mindset needed to make impactful decisions that are already helping me grow my business beyond what I once imagined was possible.”
Learn more about Studio Ninethreeseven at studioninethreeseven.com.
Gaby Bernal is the founder of Studio Ninethreeseven.
