Today we’d like to introduce you to Verna Cortez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Everyone wishes they can turn back time and erase the mistakes they’ve made, but I have no regrets and believe that everything that I have been through has happened for a reason. My family and faith have been a motivator in everything in my life. I was a Mom at 19, full-time student and working; I was determined to attain my degree in Bachelors in Business Management against all odds. By 2004, I was a proud mother of 4 amazing children. I attained my Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in 2007 and worked in the Technology Field for several years. After several lay-offs and limited severance, I decided to dive into the beauty industry, not because I love makeup, but I wanted to do something that made women feel confident and beautiful.
In 2010, I trained with Makeup City to be become a Certified Makeup Artist by Loli Romo. Loli was a Godsend, she was patient in my goal to learn and be the best I could be at doing it. I started my career in makeup in 2011, along side my daughter, who was 16 at the time and became certified in 2012. My daughter has those magical hands and has an amazing eye for hairstyling.
As I started to grow in experience by dropping by each Makeup City class, I began doing pro-bono work with several photographers and charities and built relationships with many of them. We began doing weddings and I even took a full-time job to make ends meet while working with clients early morning or after working hours to build my portfolio. It was so much fun, but a lot of hard work and sacrifice. In 2012, our schedule was booked for the next couple years and I was ready to dive in and brand our company as Noelani’s Artistry, named after my youngest daughter (meaning sent from heaven in Hawaiian). Adriana is currently preparing for Cosmetology Licensing and I attained my Esthetician License in 2017.
In 2014, we extended our beauty services by getting our Certifications in Eyelash Extensions for both Volume and Classic Training. This is where Noelani’s Artistry – Evolve Lashes was born. Our schedule can be somewhat ridiculous at times, but we manage to make it work as we have been booked 6 days a week with lash appointments daily and most weddings on the weekends.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Our experience continues to grow as we strive to do our best with integrity and remain teachable at all times. We don’t have to be the best, we just have to do our best. It wasn’t the easiest at times to get out of my comfort zone and meet complete strangers and network with businesses, but it was worth the effort. Working a full-time job and working early mornings and late nights while making sure my kids’ schedules were managed was challenging. My husband and I had managed to get through our schedules and make it work.
I have always worked in the corporate field and managed to get two degrees with 4 children along the way, but I had always kept in mind that I can and will do whatever I need to attain my goals. In that time, I realized that my career is not own, when I can’t spend quality time with my family, so getting laid-off from my job was a blessing in disguise. There is a reason for everything.
All the training and sacrifice in the meantime was worth the time I can now spend with my kids.
My advice to women is to go for your dreams and do what you love. There will be challenges but use them to climb that mountain. Sometimes it’s not easy, but you will grow in the experience. Journal your journey so you are reminded where you began, the race you ran and how you got there because you will get there. Stay humble and teachable.
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Noelani’s Artistry – Evolve Lashes – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We specialize in Makeup, Hair & Eyelash Extensions, working in Bridal, Print, Film, Production, Pageant, and Fashion.
From 2012-2017, we’ve been voted on San Diego’s City Voter A-List Top 5 Best Makeup & Hair thanks to our amazing clients, loyal friends, and family. It’s been a great honor and blessing as we have amazing clients and work based on referrals today.
We’ve sponsored and worked with Miss San Diego Pageant & Scholarship Assoc. 2013-2017:
Miss United States Teen American Samoa 2016 Mariah Naea
Miss U.S. Teen Continents 2017 Mariah Naea of California
Miss U.S. Continents 2017 Kiti Chaimongkol of California
YoungLife’s Pampered with a Purpose 2013-Present
San Diego Enforcer Girls Calendar
We’ve worked with several local production companies and brands like Makeup Forever and CBS Interactive.
Our goal is not to be the best, but to do our best. We remain teachable and strive to work with integrity. Our team works fast and efficient without sacrificing quality of service for makeup and hair. As an Eyelash Technician and Stylist, I love to get to know my clients and inform them about the services they are getting. I am also continually learning the different techniques, materials, and safety of eyelash extensions and the way it continues to evolve.
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
Write down your goals and journal your journey. Remain humble and teachable. Learn to accept failures and accomplishments alike and keep moving forward through the peaks and valleys that you might encounter. Take each day at a time, as every day is a new day. Have a good support system: family, friends, and mentors.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Noelanis.net
- Phone: 619.880.1335
- Email: noelanisartistry@gmail.com
- Instagram: NoelanisArtistry
- Facebook: NoelanisMUA
- Other: www.Evolve-Lashes.com
Image Credit:
Bride: Moksha Smith, Photography: Arina B. Photography – http://arinabphotography.pass.us/rmgallery, Bride: Melissa Dela Cruz Photography: Angel Noh and Ray Reyes, Bride: Kristanelle Reyes Photography: Charity Mae Remington
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
