Today we’d like to introduce you to Esmeralda Arechiga.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in Brookshire, TX a small town right outside of Katy, TX. I did not know what I wanted to do with my life after high school so I made myself believe I wanted to be in the medical field as a physical therapist. Honestly, I just decided to study medicine to be able to say I’m doing something, but in all reality I had no idea. I was lost, I tried college after high school for a year and it was definitely NOT for me! During that time, my Mom had a makeup kit filled with big name brands and I told myself HMMM… this is something I would really like to learn and I knew that it would be long term and rewarding. I took a makeup class in Houston five years ago and I fell in love with the idea of being able to help women feel empowered and help them feel beautiful inside and out.
After three years of doing makeup, I told myself that I wanted and needed to bring more than just makeup to the table. I took a Microblading class with the best of the best in the industry. At first it was very challenging for me, but I knew that with time it would become easier and to be able to give all of these women their confidence back is such a beautiful feeling. I then decided I wanted MORE so I took an eyelash extension class for three months and a volume course shortly after, but I did not stop there! Earlier this year I took an updo class so that I can offer this to my clients along with my makeup service. I also took an eyebrow tinting class for those who aren’t to sure about getting their eyebrows tattooed semi-permanently. I will not stop here and I will continue to grow my business, and educate myself even further so that I may be able to offer my clients a wide variety of the best services. With the help of God, I will make history.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I can honestly say that it has not been a smooth road. Of course just like anything you will have your ups and downs but with God nothing is impossible. At the beginning of my career, I was working at Bella Terra where I was only getting commission. If I did not sell anything, I did not make anything. I had to hustle and was there for about six months before I told myself that I needed more. I knew I couldn’t make a future with that. I then applied to Macys at the benefit counter in Memorial City Mall. I got hired and left Bella Terra, I would drive from Sealy, Tx to Memorial City Mall 5 days a week and will take me 45 minutes to get there and back, but I had no other choice because there was nothing like that close to me. I met so many amazing artists along the way and one of them was Niralie Wiley who at that time was the counter manager for Urban Decay, She saw my hustle, hard work and dedication for Benefit. She said ” Esmeralda, you will be such a great fit for Urban Decay.” She helped fight for me to get me into the company and we did it!
Although I was still inside of Macys, I now worked for Urban Decay which was so much fun! Urban Decay was such a fun brand to work for and I loved it so much but I couldn’t forget what my goals were and that was to one day stop working for someone and become my own boss. While being at Urban Decay, I was also doing my side hustle. There were times where I didn’t even have time to stop and eat because I was very focused in getting all of my clients in before it was time for me to go to work. I ended up weighing 100 pounds from being 125 to 130 pounds. I lost all of that weight because I refused to say no even if that meant not eating. One of the main reasons I had to push myself beyond limits is because I didn’t want to depend on my parents or anyone to get me where I am today. I had no other choice but to work that hard because I needed to invest and at times I felt so bad because as soon as I had the money for the next course, I would take it all out from my savings and I just felt like my savings was never going up. I would work super hard and once I had that money I hurried and kept investing more and more. I wanted to do it all by myself and of course I had my families and boyfriends support if I needed anything and for that I am very thankful.
After being with Urban Decay for a little over a year, we got laid off and Macys took us back in which honesty was the best thing that could had happened to me because there were more associates who were able to pick up my shift, I was able to call in a lot more when I had clients and I was focusing so much more on my business. After a few more months of being there, I finally decided to quit my job and become my own boss. Was I scared? Am I still scared? Of course I am! But had I not done it, when would have I done it? I still have struggles now that I am on my own and there are times that are better than others because in my business, if I don’t have any clients, I don’t make money and that is really scary to think off. I have a lot of faith and I pray every single day for my business to continue to grow. I will not give up and I am willing to go through all the ups and downs that life will throw at me to one day open up my own beauty bar.
Glitter & Glow – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My Business is a one stop shop for most of your beauty needs. I specialize in Microblading, Ombre eyebrows, Makeup, Hairdos, Eyebrow Tinting, Eyelash Extensions and 1 on 1 Group Makeup lessons. I take most of my clients at my in-home studio but I also travel to Katy, Houston and surrounding areas. I am very proud of the brand I am building with all of my hard work, love, and dedication. What sets me apart from the rest is that I do everything with love. I pour all of my heart and soul to each and every person I receive in my chair. My clients are my everything and I promise that they will leave feeling better than how they came in. They will always be very well taken care of. I treat my clients like they are my best friends, I know when I can be serious with them as well as when I can twerk with them lol. The fact that they can be themselves around me and I can be myself around them and not have to worry about a single thing is what makes my love for the beauty industry grow everyday.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The fact that I am building this brand and have my name on it has been my proudest moment so far.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 832-766-9565
- Email: Glitterandglowllc@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Glitterandglow_llc/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/glitterandglowllc/
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