Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Jimenez.
Melanie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ll start from now, I work as a professional body piercer at Beachside Tattoo Studio in Pacific Beach, SD. I am also a licensed cosmetologist and henna artist. I am CPR certified and hold a medical assistant license as well. I am a mother of two beautiful children 6 and 12.
I got into hair as a very young child; craving an outlet for artistic expression, I would cut and perm my Barbie dolls hair and yes I did pierce their ears haha. I began body piercing shortly after high school in South Orange County, CA. The clientele that I have gathered through the years are so amazing and loyal that some have even made the trip to visit me in San Diego. I went to Cosmetology school at Lake Forest Beauty College 12 years ago when I made the decision not to transfer to UCI in the path of an advanced medical career. I’ve been doing hair freelance ever since on my family, neighbors, and friends. I absolutely love that something as simple as a haircut, color or body piercing can change how people feel and look so much. I have the power to change perceptions and create smiles.
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?
Challenges, yes, life always throws you a hurdle to jump over. After all, no one learns to walk without falling.
I personally included my struggles with deciding to change my route of education. Having my daughter at 21 and me becoming a single mother definitely made me think. I did not want to leave my young child with a distant mother. I watched my mom go through nursing school and I know that it demands your full attention.
With body piercing, it was a challenge to find a studio to work at. With body art shops being more of a niche especially in Orange County, I had to have patience. Also, even when I found a shop to work in, I was and still am the only girl at the shop I work at now. It definitely took a while for me to find a peaceful and mellow, respectful work environment.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Melbodyart – Beachside Tattoo story. Tell us more about the business.
I specialize in body piercing! 18 years of experience to be exact. I have seen a lot and learned as much. I actually appreciate it very much when clients look to me for advice. I also offer a wide selection of body jewelry including 14k gold. I am happy to say I work at the Beachside Tattoo Studio. I work alongside some great tattoo artists and so far my Pacific Beach clientele is just amazing and I can’t wait to meet more.
And hair, my favorite things to do with hair are cuts, color, updo, and braids. I really love it when I get a fun color request or the patron trusts and allows me to work with artistic license.
What sets me apart is one, that I am a mother. I have a natural instinct to care. I love to (๑‵●‿●‵๑) and make people do the same. I appreciate the aesthetics of the human form. I am CPR certified. And another I, love to keep that young fresh vibe alive.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
I do have a few favorite books that I just plowed through! They are actually in the field of neuroscience/psychology the first is titled ‘Phantoms in The Brain’ by vs. Ramachandran. MD. Ph.D. and Sandra Blakeslee if you ever want to learn more about the human mind; this read was just amazing. The doctor that wrote this resides in La Jolla and I would be so humbled to meet him one day. The second book is ‘Hallucinations’ by Oliver Sacks M.D. I have just begun to read it, an I am very excited to continue into the study of perception.
I am actually best at creativity and work when my mind is still. In turn, I don’t look to others for inspiration, but rather an education.
I have a favorite app for work that I use called money monitor. I am able to log and record all income and expenses for my business and it even lets me create charts and report for the day, year or month. It helps greatly when tax season come around.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1482 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
- Phone: 949-350-2751
- Email: j1984m@gmail.com
- Instagram: @melbodyart
- Other: www.yelp.com/biz/beachside-tattoo-San-Diego
Image Credit:
Joshua Dearing @dearingfilm
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