Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Garza and Mimi Beauty.
Michelle and Mimi, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It’s 2015. I’m driving my daughter to a sleepover at her best friend’s house. Marilyn and I often have deep conversations. She mentioned to me her goals and everything she would like to accomplish in her lifetime. Let me remind you this is my seven years old. I was extremely excited to hear my baby talk about dreams and goals. Preparing mentally for everything, that I would have to do to make sure she accomplishes all of it. It was a lot to take in. I later had a conversation with my boyfriend at the time about my daughter’s ideas and goals. I told him how much I wanted to make sure her dreams come true… his words I will never forget. “She can’t make her dreams come true; if you don’t make yours.”
At this time in my life, I was at a job I was unhappy with. I always had a desire for more out of life, but didn’t know exactly what. I had both my daughters before 21 and thought I knew what I was doing. A few life events happened, and I realized I had to make a change. You’ll figure out later this happens a lot in my journey. I gave myself the option to change my life up. I had two options: find another full-time job and continue working or find a part-time job and go back to school. I knew cosmetology was my first choice. I also, knew which school I wanted to attend. I had passed by Paul Mitchell the school Arlington, a few times. I even did a tour where I met Rikki. I love you, Rikki. She had bright blue eyeshadow on and energy so powerful, it reminded me of a starburst. During this time, my Tiá Naina gave me her word, that if I went back to school, She would help me with my daughters. I was set.
So, my search began, I think I applied to 20 plus jobs and Ulta called me back right before the holidays. A part-time job. I had to keep my word to myself, and I had to make sure I showed my daughter that even the impossible is possible with enough belief and hard work. My plan was simple for me… get a part-time, enroll in school, and mostly, make the best of every day. I knew this was the change I truly needed.
I enrolled in school and 12 months flew by. The school experience was one of a kind, and I don’t think I could have picked a better school. I had quite a journey at Paul Mitchell The School Arlington. The experience that the school exposes you to is like no other. My first day of orientation I was exposed to a platform artist. Fumi. His haircuts started at $150 and BAM! MY DREAMS ARE A REALITY. It all came to me… I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Paul Mitchell not only shows you the basics but exposes you to the reality of success the beauty industry has to offer.
After my 12 months were up, I graduated January 2016. I’ll never forget January 2016. I decided to take a couple of months off from work and focused more a bit on home life. It was March, I believe, I started at a local beauty shop and quickly took on the role of booth renter. Risky much? Hell yeah! I also quickly realized I WASN’T READY FOR ALL THAT. I needed to learn a lot more! My bestie Kari was nearby at Studio 410. She encouraged me to set up a date to meet the owner. Where My life really changed… I was extremely nervous about the meeting and changed outfits a few times. Miriam Ortega (The owner and creator of Studio 410 Art on Hair) was very serious and meant business…. Hair Business. She was straight to the point. “Are you serious about hair?” Is one of the questions she asked me, and every so often, I think of this question to remind myself that I must eat, breathe, and sleep cosmetology.
June 2016, I started at studio 410, where Miriam gave me hands-on experience with color and cuts. During school, color was my biggest enemy and intimidated the heck out of me! When I tell ya’ll my first two years at studio 410 were unforgettable; THEY WERE LEGIT SOME OF THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE THUS FAR. I knew color was my weakest link and as we all know her colors are flawless. I apprenticed for a solid three months and felt it within me to once again become a booth renter. Everyone during my time there was helpful and definitely helped me grow as an artist. Elizde and Alicia helped tremendously in my cutting growth. With all the help and support around me; taking the role again was very different this time. I was prepared. I grew every day at studio 410 as an artist, and my work has definitely progressed.
After almost two years, I had reached a peak in my personal and business life that had me feeling once again comfortable with myself. I had my clientele. I had fellow creatives around me, but I was at a place within myself that asked the question, what’s next for me? I decided a change was required. I had also been getting asked the question when would I be doing my own thing, and the thought sat in my mind for a bit but was never too sure when that would happen. Just like quitting my full time and going to school, I felt like it was once again time to take another risk. Of course, the line of emotions ran with this decision, and I was scared! Thankfully, I’ve developed a balanced relationship with my fears. Nothing really stops you from doing what you want, but you. Fear is only an emotion and like the others tend to come and go. So, I took my leap.
I am now located in the design district at the salons of Dallas Hi lines, where I am now learning how to run my own small business along the side of my bestie Kari. We have decided to name our suite after our Instagram @beautybrujas_. Everything is still a vision and who knows what the future holds. One thing is for sure, the responsibilities are a lot more, and the push for me is live and lit. Every day is a new challenge, but every day is worth it.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No! Nothing was smooth. Every day there was a sacrifice to be made. To my fellow women who may be in a place of feeling less than or stuck in life, please remember that YOU can make the changes you desire most! The best decisions I’ve made are the ones that have always made me happy. That’s the goal in life, right? To be happy and feel good. I still sometimes have to sacrifice family time for my career, but I explain to my daughters on a regular about my goals. Which helps their understanding. I had a family young and whether I follow my passion or working day in and day out at a job I do not as I would still miss out on my girls. I have reached a point of balance with my girls, and I am grateful and thankful for every moment with them. Create the right balance for you. I had to leave relationships and relationships had to leave me for the better. Sometimes, at moments of what seems like painful ones are only; the grey clouds in our life clearing up for a better view. Keep looking up!
To my fellow future professionals, don’t give up. NO matter what happens. Keep studying. Keep practicing. Keep working at your passion with passion every day. Most importantly BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE THINKS, OR FEELS ONLY YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU ARE CAPABLE OF. LEAD YOURSELF TO WHERE YOU SHOULD BE. LOVE AND ENJOY EVERY STEP OF THE WAY EVEN WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE THE END OF THE WORLD. JUST REMEMBER IT’S NOT, AND THE WORLD IS TRULY YOURS. Pick up good habits and steer clear of the bad ones. Like I tell my girls, “YOU GOT THIS!” Most importantly stay true to you. Always be yourself.
What should we know about MIMIBEAUTYTX? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a cosmetologist. I specialize in balayage and ombre color styles and hair cutting. I also offer Bridal, quince, and any special occasion updos and/or down styles. My services also include blowouts, deep conditioners, root touch-ups, and vivid fashion colors and full all over colors. I’m currently looking into adding something new to my service menu. I recently stopped doing makeup due to a kit reboot. (I’ll be back at it again.) The beauty industry is truly endless, I have become indecisive.
My clients tell me, they enjoy my customer service. I am most proud of the progress I have made so far; in being able to provide my clients with a great experience and beautiful hair! My goal, every time I have a beauty queen in my chair is to ensure she feels good inside and out!
I love talking to my clients. Listening and learning from each one of them, we all have a story, but not everyone has a listening ear. Thank You, if you are reading this and trust me with your hair. I love your hair.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
With the power of the internet, I have noticed an increase in woman supporting women. Which I love seeing. Self-love is tough enough. So, It’s nice to see women loving one another. I think in general we are still taught at a young age that we are in constant competition with each other.
I believe once this programming is redone our woman will start to see each other as sisters and queens inside and out. I have two young daughters and every day we talk about themselves and how their focus is and should always be about themselves. Your friends are only friends. Equals. Growing up, I will never forget getting compared to one another and do my best every day to teach my young girls to do the complete opposite. We are all creators of life and are embedded with the powers of being an intuitive woman. The future is female!
Contact Info:
- Address: 1400 Hi Line dr
Dallas Texas 75207
suite 65 - Phone: 972-730-0095
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @mimibeautytx
- Facebook: Mimi Mimibeautytx
Image Credit:
Photo of bubble ponytail (white outfit) and half up ponytail (blue outfit) by Gabriela Aranda @oakcliffsnaps, Photo of Sleek All Style (black outfit) by Felicia Lorene @felicialorene
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