Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Martinez.
Michelle, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My love for makeup began in high school. Form prom’s to movie dates, my girl friends would always ask me to do their makeup. My family saw my passion for makeup and I eventually started to do my family’s makeup as well. I really wanted to go to cosmetology school, but my true calling was in healthcare. However, I still worked towards getting my makeup certification and airbrush credentials, so I can continue doing people’s makeups because I enjoyed it so much. I then went on to learn hairstyling and later received a call from a matchmaking agency regarding a new job opportunity. I accepted to new position and started to develop my website, Instagram, Facebook and all my other social media outlets to promote my work. I even discovered a new love for photography and started doing photoshoots as well. I then began booking clients for weddings, quinceranera’s, personal photo shoots and alike.
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?
I work full time fro Sharp Healthcare and have three children who are my world, so time is probably my biggest obstacle. Being in this industry, it is important to market yourself and create the time to take pictures of your work and advertise it for people to see. Not having as much time as I would like to do these is hard at times. However, I still make time for my passion and I believe if you love something will always make time. I am extremely happy with the love and support I get from all my clients, family, and friends. My advice for anyone starting out there would be to practice on anyone and everyone who lets you do it. Makeup is such a competitive industry that almost anyone can do, but the recipe for success lies in the vision, or signature look, that each makeup artist wants to put out there. So craft your work!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Chic Glitz & Glam by Michelle Martinez story. Tell us more about the business.
I do makeup, airbrush, hairstyling, and photo shoots and I typically specialize in the “soft glam” look. My goal for each appointment is for each client to feel like themselves without adding too much make up, unless otherwise requested. I enjoy doing boudoir photo shoots and I feel every woman no matter their age or physique has a sexy side to which I love to bring out. What I’m most proud of as a service provider is the gratitude and appreciation I get form my clients which I receive the next day as a simple text or picture for example. It is the best feeling. What sets me apart from others I believe is my continual effort to work with my client, not for them. I feel it is a team effort to feel and look good so that when my clients leave my chair, they leave happy and confident.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
My mentor has definitely been various social media outlets and makeup tutorials via Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, etc. I also take a lot of classes from MAC Pro artist and stay current with the new trends and makeup brands. I have found that what has worked for me is networking through previous clients and having a strong follow up for more referrals.
Contact Info:
- Address: 823 Gwen St
San Diego CA 92114 - Website: www.chicglitznglam.net
- Phone: 619-204-1713
- Email: michelle@chicglitznglam.net
- Instagram: Chic_glitznglam
Image Credit:
picture people
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