Today we’d like to introduce you to Yessenia Chavarria.
Hi Yessenia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
As an artist, I have been drawing, painting, and creating since I was small. My father is an artist’s heart, he draws or paints almost every evening. I had been bartending in Dallas nightclubs since 2005 when a girlfriend convinced me into getting my lash license in 2014 and said, “you can average the same on your own time,” Life-changing moment, the introduction to self-employment! I did just that! I got my license and opened a tiny Lash Studio in Lakewood and called it Styled by Yoyo. I then said to take a step a year, so because I love makeup and art, I received my Make-up and SFX certification from CMC in 2015. That’s where body painting and creations began and really took off during COVID; we all had a lot of emotions to express. I was blessed to me on the makeup team for DIFFA and Children’s Cancer Fund Gala, what an amazing experience to be able to work with hundreds of talented people. In 2019, I began to link what became my true passion, Cosmetic and Paramedical Tattooing, to be able to give more than just beauté but something that means a lot more to someone. I could now fully service a patient with auto-immune disorders, trauma, and breast cancer survivors! Help someone complete their journey with areoles, cover scars, bring back hairlines, and even lash extensions on very fine lashes to give them a healthy feel. The feeling I get when my clients walk out feeling confident and complete is everything. But like everything goes through seasons as we grow both personal and career-wise, change came. I had still been bartending and was so grateful for each gig because it really paved the way for me to grow my business. Then last year, 2021, I had the most beautiful blessing, baby mini Zia. Because of her, I have retired as a bartender, and we have rebranded and grown from Styled by Yoyo to now Ink and Beauté. I’m forever grateful to all and everything that helped me get here, and excited to see what else the future holds!
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?
Omgoodness no not all a smooth road, but what learning experiences though. And still continue to learn and grow. From the very basics of how to start a business to growing and running one. Thank you, Google and YouTube, lol. Although, I think the biggest lesson was patience. It takes time to grow and build clientele. Sitting in the studio in the beginning, waiting for anyone to walk in or book online, and picking up extra bar shifts so I could grow without debt. Eight years later, it has paid off.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ink and Beauté?
Ink and Beauté (formally Styled by YoYo) is a Paramedical/Cosmetic Tattoo and Beauté Studio. We specialize in services for everyone but especially catered to clients with autoimmune disorders, trauma, and breast cancer survivors. Services we provide are Areola and Belly Button Tattoos, Scar and Stretch-mark Camouflage, Scalp Micro-pigmentation (SMP), Powder and Ombre Brows, Eyeliner and Lash Enhancements, Lip Blushing, Lash Extensions, Brow and Lash Lifts, Spray Tanning, Make-up, and Body Painting. We make sure each service is catered to each individual client. If they are coming out of chemo and have fine lashes, we can lash to give them a healthy look each time they look in the mirror, they can feel confident and beautiful to give strength to continue their fight and make sure they are light enough to allow their naturals to grow healthy. Body Painting to tell their stories. Areola and Camouflages to complete their journey. SMP to bring back hairlines. I am extremely proud of what we can offer to clients, more than just a beauté aspect but confidence, strength, and completion. I offer 1 free Areola Tattoo and 1 SMP each month to breast cancer survivors or autoimmune patients.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory probably wasn’t the happiest but definitely the biggest lesson that made me who I am today. I moved out at 15yrs old, and my parents moved to Dallas as I stayed in Las Cruces, NM. My high school was 30 min away, and as I was heading to class, I had a blowout! I called my dad a whole 12hrs away to tell him I had a blowout and was stranded in the middle of the desert; he said to figure it out and call him when I did. I sat there in the middle of the nowhere for a while with a phone that had prepaid minutes. Speed dialed my grama to get my aunt’s number, to get my cousin’s number, to get her boyfriend’s number who owned a tire shop. He came to replace my tire out in the middle of nowhere. Daddy, I did it, lol. Networking and Independence was learned that day!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.inkandbeaute.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkandbeaute/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inkandbeaute
Image Credits
Mike Radice
