Today we’d like to introduce you to Tania Cuadra.
Hi Tania, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Hi. I was born in Mexico City and raised in Oak Cliff, TX. I am a single mother to an amazing teenage boy, Gael, and a rescued black cat, Tux. For a decade now, I have traveled the World on my off time both with my son and on solo adventures. I wasn’t always this cool PMU + Tiny tattoo artist mom. Before I began my journey into the beauty world, I was a normal Research Specialist + Credit Analyst working in mortgage industry. Here’s a backstory, so in 2013, the company I worked for exited the mortgage platform which left many of us in limbo about our next move. The anxiety that surfaced from that situation left me questioning my future in mortgage and corporate america as a whole. They dropped so many people on the first round it was heartbreaking. I ended up being laid off receiving a nice severance package. It did not take long before I decided to invest those funds into starting my own business. It took months of preparation, brainstorming and hesitation before finally choosing the Makeup Artistry route – something that brought me so much joy as a teen (my saddest years). I took a leap of faith and enrolled in courses at CMC Makeup Academy. What a life changing decision; I finally felt like I belonged. The genuine happiness that experience brought me made me realize I wanted to paint faces all the time! I got to tap into my creative muse daily, and could not feel happier and more fulfilled doing so. When I finished the courses, I challenged myself to paint 75 faces for free for a full year before taking payment. So many giveaways and so many new friendships made that year. During that time, I accepted a job offer at Nordstrom as the Business Manager for Dior Cosmetics – later becoming a freelance makeup artist for cosmetic companies such as MAC and NARS. This was my life for the following decade while I went back to school to obtain my college degrees as the end goal was to become a Civil Liberties Lawyer (all while raising Gael). Fast forward to 2021, after the global pandemic and now college graduate, I was mentally prepared to level up financially by offering new services. Permanent Makeup Artistry made the most sense as it is basically makeup 2.0. I took another leap of faith (using the savings that were to hold me up during an unexpected separation from my then husband), and signed up for courses at Beaudee Spa in Chicago, IL to specialize in tattoo Ombré Powder Brows + Lip Blush and Beauty Ink Institute to train the art of tiny tattoos. It has now been a full year of working with brow/lip models to perfect my craft while continuing to be a student learning and growing. Law school was placed on pause for many reasons but money was the biggest factor, unfortunately. Following my passion, heart & intuition has been the best thing I did for mine and my son’s life. This journey is tough, and I am ready to give up when it gets discouraging, but I would do it all over again.
Still learning… still growing.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
So far from a smooth road. I was juggling being a full-time mom, wife, and student while balancing work and clients. The challenge then and now remains the same: stretching myself too thin for all my responsibilities. I’m doing it though, I don’t know how but I get it done with a smile on my face. The top three things that created setbacks or almost made me throw in the towel many times were:
Lack of Support – I believe many entrepreneurs can attest to the fact that most of those in your circle will be the last to see your vision or support it. It’s eye-opening; crushing. It’s always hard when someone doesn’t believe in your ability to succeed, but what’s worse is when they don’t support your small business.
Lack of Confidence – It is easy to succumb to self-doubt because of our own worries, criticism from others, or lack of support from friends and family. In my case all of the above, eek. These feelings creep in and I start to lose the faith in myself questioning my own success. I snap out of it because I have a little human watching me.
Lack of Funds – In this field, to make money you have to spend money. Replenishing products can get expensive. There’s always a new makeup trend, new palette, new brush styles, new techniques, and clients want you to offer those new things if not they will go to the next artist. In PMU world, there are high-end pigment brands, expensive tattoo machines, fancy cartridges, and accessories that have to be purchased weekly. Then you have booth rental fees and insurance, etc. It gets expensive and sometimes we end up upside down on what we bring home. Especially now with skyrocketing gas prices and inflation. Consumers are being more cautions but I totally get it, I am too.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The business name @InkedxSlayed was born at the end of 2021 to include my new services: PMU & tiny tattoos. You can either get inked or get slayyyyed, huntyy. I still very much offer my makeup artistry services. I specialize in bridal makeup (my favorite), I do Permanent Makeup Artistry (ombré brows, nano brows) Lip blush (lip tattoo to add permanent lip color or neutralize lips), and tiny tattoos (nothing bigger than 3 inches). I am excited to incorporate new skills like stretch mark cover-up PMU, areolas tattoos for cancer patients and merch brand in the future. Most proud of my brow work; I have trained from the absolute best, Dee in Chicago, and she has even complimented my work both in the classroom and social media.
You can find me at The Bloom Space in OC!
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love Dallas! I don’t like the ever changing weather or the sudden increase in real estate and traffic. But I love it, It’s where I grew up, it’s home. I have all my loyal clients here and the new ones that I have yet to meet. I love the community where I grew up in Oak Cliff and the support I receive from fellow entrepreneurs. Dallas is blooming!
Dallas is it, baby! Go Mavs!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/inkedxslayed
- Other: https://pocketsuite.io/book/1oNy
