Today we’d like to introduce you to Viridiana.
Hi Viridiana, 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?
I started as a cosmetologist right out of high school doing hair is salon to earn hands on experience. Soon after I worked part time at a makeup counter for 5 years to earn my education in makeup artistry, and become a dual artist. The next 10 years I concentrated on building my salon clientele full time, working weddings part time and taking on- set freelance work part time as well.
The hustle is not for the faint of heart, but I was set on making a name for myself in Dfw and living my dream job one client at a time.
Now after 15 years in the industry I have build a reputation I am happy with, a skill set to stand on and a confidence in my artistry that I can rely on. My full time consists of doing men and women’s hair in salon as well as on location part time and I wouldn’t change that for the world.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has been windy and unclear, especially in the beginning. Working freelance is not easy, predictable or reliable. It’s about stacking your work and building a network with your hard working reputation. The work speaks for itself you just have to get out there and let it reach your target audience.
In the beginning it was a lot of free or collaborative work. Which in order for that to be worth while you have to get your creative director hat on and be clear about what you want in your portfolio.
But once people know your work and work ethic your reputation can bring you the well paid jobs.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I believe what sets me apart in this industry is that I specialize in several different specialties. Which I don’t recommend, because a master of many is a long road.
I specialize in Men and Women’s haircuts, Haircolor (balayage), Men’s grooming, Makeup of all occasions and Waxing.
I am the most proud of mastering these skills that took me years to be comfortable with, as well as the most important element of all- a thorough client consultation.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Risk is inevitable in the fashion space, especially if you are interested building your editorial portfolio.
First, you must create your creative team and that is a risk within itself in both team building and trust when collaborating and trading services.
I would say many of my early photo shoots were a loss to my business and livelihood, Choosing one opportunity over another has always been the hardest risk to manage as well, when jobs logistically conflict each other.
When prioritizing one job over another I always fall back on looking at my body of work to see where there are gaps.
Sometimes it’s not a logistical conflict but maybe just a matter of burn out or what’s worth your time. This case is the perfect example of why it is so important to build a community to consult with, even if it’s a question like pricing.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @virivisions
- Facebook: @virivisions
- LinkedIn: Viridiana Navrro
Image Credits
Wallflower Agency
