Glamour and Grit

HOW DID YOUR CELEBRITY HAIR AND MAKEUP JOURNEY BEGIN?
My journey started in the Dominican Republic, which is where I am from. I enjoyed watching my mother, who was a hairstylist, make her clients look and feel picture perfect. It inspired me to follow in her footsteps. As it turned out, my friend here in Las Vegas needed someone she could trust to help her run her salon. She invited me to live with her since I didn’t know anyone here at the time. So, with literally $1,000 in my pocket, I made my way to the United States with a chance to live the American Dream.

WHEN DID YOUR BUSINESS START TO GAIN MOMENTUM?
It happened organically. There was always someone new in my chair and it was word of mouth that brought me more clients. My good friend and celebrity fashion designer, Joey Galon, introduced me to his clients who needed hair and makeup done for fashion shoots, weddings, and pageants. Since then, I’ve done hair and makeup for celebrities at Super Bowl LVIII, the Latin Grammy Awards, and Miss USA. I also have had the pleasure of working with Las Vegas celebrities like Terry Fator and Elaine Wynn, just to name a couple.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR WOMEN WHO WANT TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS?
Start planning your business model while you have a job. There’s a lot of sweat and tears that go into being your own Boss Lady and your plan has to be VERY WELL executed. You cannot go in blind. Sounds easy, but I’ve seen it. Ask yourself: What is your product? Who are you catering to? How are you financing your business? Why do they want to buy from you? What is your marketing budget? There is a lot of trial and error that goes into launching your own business, so don’t give up. Brainstorm with your family, friends, and colleagues. I feel it’s so important to support and empower fellow business owners to succeed in their trade.

I’ve done hair and makeup for celebrities at Super Bowl LVIII, the Latin Grammy Awards, and Miss USA. I also have had the pleasure of working with Las Vegas celebrities like Terry Fator and Elaine Wynn, just to name a couple.