Today we’d like to introduce you to Mercedes Salinas.
Hi Mercedes, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In 2016, I had my eyebrows microbladed for the first time. It was a very life-changing experience for me! Being that I have nearly nonexistent eyebrows, suddenly having eyebrows that looked realistic and didn’t sweat out or wash off was amazing. In 2017, while working at UT Southwestern, I decided to go to school to be trained professionally in microblading. The confidence that I had gained in having my eyebrows done impacted me very deeply, and I wanted to share that empowering experience with other women. Two weeks before I was scheduled to start training, I was unexpectedly fired from my job at UT Southwestern, which was something of a “last straw” for me. I was tired of having to ask for time off when I needed it, tired of not making my own schedule, and frankly, tired of being undervalued for the work I did. At that point, I made the decision that I was going to work for myself! I turned my dining room into a small home salon and did a lot of free brows on friends and family. It was a lot of work, but I needed to build a clientele and get referrals if I wanted to make this dream a reality.
2017 was a really rough year for me. I was hardly making any money and was drowning financially. Because of this, I ended up being evicted from my home and had to borrow money from my family to stay in a rental. Even so, I persevered, continuing to do as many sets of brows as I could.
At the beginning of 2018, I went back to work because my bills were starting to pile up and I needed more to survive. I got a job working for a car insurance claim company, but I was so miserable I would cry every day on my way to work. Working for myself had become my dream, and I wanted to see it through. Over the summer of 2018, I went through training and became certified in eyelash extensions, something I figured would bring in more consistent clientele. This addition to my arsenal allowed me to quit my job in August 2018, opting instead to work part-time three days a week while chasing my dream the other 4. Still struggling in November of 2018, I got certified by a lady who does tooth gems in LA. (She is one of the longest-running tooth gem techs in the industry, and I respect her deeply!) As I was doing tooth gems, I decided to get trained in tooth whitening as well, as I felt the two were closely related.
By December 2018, I had four services I could offer to clients, and in January 2019, I launched my Instagram profile. Instagram ended up being my main platform for my business. I had about 250 followers at the time, but it was a start! I started passing out fliers advertising tooth gems at the mall and at my son’s high school basketball games the majority of people who I would meet had no idea what tooth gems even were.
Come March 2019, I was struggling with having enough consistent clientele and still working my part-time job, so I decided to enroll in Esthetics school. I thought that maybe with a license to give me more credibility, people might take me more seriously and more doors might open for me. July 2019, I was scheduled to start school! I was so excited, but before I could start, my part-time job no longer needed me and I was let go. My excitement was now coupled with uncertainty as to how I was going to manage going to school with little to no income to take care of my bills and my family. As a single mother, I was devastated and unsure of what to do. Fortunately, my family offered to let us stay with them while I was going to school. It was such a blessing, and I am eternally thankful. So, with that, I let go of my rental home and moved in with my family for the next year while I was in school.
I worked my behind off in Esthetics school, passed the Texas state board and written exam, and officially became a licensed esthetician in March 2020 – one week before the covid lockdown.
In May 2020, as soon as the lockdown was lifted, I started offering mobile services on tooth gems and teeth whitening. It was great to be working, but mobile services could be a lot of work between traveling long distances, packing supplies, unpacking supplies, and setting up. I really wanted a suite or something affordable that I could rent for my clients to come to me. Luckily in July 2020, I found a great suite in downtown Garland to set up shop in. I was still working on clientele, so I would pay for advertising and run specials on Instagram to bring in more people.
In October 2020, I started doing vending events, networking with other professionals in the industry, and offering my services at events. It was a lot of hard work and a lot of putting myself out there, but it paid off.
In April 2021, I moved to a new location on border of East Dallas & Garland, and I became certified in laser tattoo removal that summer.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building clientele and getting my name out there has been a long road.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Glamulous?
I specialize in Semi-Permanent Makeup, Laser Tattoo Removal, Tooth Jewelry & Teeth Whitening.
All services I offer I do with passion and care. I thrive to give all my clients a boost in confidence and always spreading positivity, love & respect.
I am mainly known for doing tooth gems and blinging out teeth. Trained in 2018 by the longest standing in the business Michelle at Sugar Tooth Jewels.
Contact Info:
- Email: Glamulous@gmail.com
- Website: Getglamulous.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glamulous_1/?hl=en
Image Credits:
Adam Romero
