Today we’d like to introduce you to Esther Alcantara.
Hi Esther, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I took cosmetology in high school so I knew I wanted to start cutting hair as soon as I graduated. I started cutting hair for a franchise company and after two years I moved to a commission based salon. I’ve always loved to do haircuts and makeup but I spent most of my time cutting hair. After I left the commission based salon covid happened. So I started cutting hair at home with the little clientele that I had and worked part time at a restaurant. After the restaurant had closed I looked for a job to pursue makeup, something that I have been putting aside for a long time. I got hired at a med spa and I loved it! I got to learn so many new things like facials , laser hair removal and more. After about a year a friend had reached out to me saying she needed help in her barbershop. It was just her husband and her at the time and they were getting really busy. They kept asking me to join them full time so I said yes with one condition I didn’t want to stop doing my other services like brows and makeup etc. so they gave me an extra room to work in for the other services. Eventually they needed more full time workers in the barbershop and gave me an option to work full time cutting hair or start renting the room. That was tough because I barely had clientele of my own and I didn’t know how I was gonna pay the rent. I remember just balling my eyes out on the way home because I was so scared but I knew I wasn’t alone. God has always led me to open doors that I just knew I’m exactly where I need to be so I took a step of faith. With no money saved , barely any cliente and in a city I never really knew. I got to work! I posted on Facebook groups went around town handing my cards out and introduced myself to other small businesses. Mind you I’m super shy but I had to do what I had to do! After renting the space for almost a year I built my clientele just praying I’d make it each month. I remembered some of my clients mentioning someone who did lip fillers and I thought to myself who and where is someone doing botox and lip fillers in Cleveland?? So I looked this person up and the first thing I saw on her page was a room available inside a salon suite . So I messaged the owner and got a tour It was only 5 min away from where I was! I prayed on it and signed the contract the next week! All the other boss babes in the salon suite were so supportive and posted me on their social media shared my work recommended me to their clients. And since I was the only person that did makeup and mens haircuts I also brought in new clientele. It’s a one stop shop! I’ve been in Imaging excellence salon suite for about a year now. I always thought I had to chose between makeup and hair but now I’m so glad I took a chance on being my own boss and do what I love!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I remember when I first started to build my makeup kit I didn’t have much but I had what I needed. But when fear and self doubt start to settle it makes you think otherwise. One time I went to my appointment worried I didn’t have what I needed so I went to go buy more products. Then by the end of the service I realized I didn’t even use the products I had bought! I remembered being so upset with myself. I remember saying to myself that day if I believe God has given me the clients then I know he’s given me exactly what I need for my clients. Sometimes doubt and fear can seem louder when you don’t have much but if you remember how far God has brought you, you can walk in confidence knowing that what you have is exactly what you need.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in makeup, haircuts and brows! Although I may be experienced in these services I love learning more about them. New techniques, products etc. continuing education is so important to me. My knowledge and tools is what helps me give my clients the best results!
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
One saying that has gotten me through is “ If you don’t do it who else is going to do it for you?” This has gotten me out of bed on days I felt like I didn’t want to face the day. It always reminds me that I have a roll to play and an important one at that. And if I don’t put in the work no one else is going to do it for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Alcantarasbeauty.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alcantarasbeauty?igsh=YWltZ200ZmZzazYx&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/61552791470576/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@alcantarasbeauty?_t=ZP-90YXwuerIKc&_r=1
Image Credits
Kaytlins Photography
Special Moments Photography
