Today we’d like to introduce you to Yazmin Sandoval.
Hi Yazmin, 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?
Ever since I was young, I loved everything and anything that had to do with the arts and beautifying. I was a very creative, eccentric child. Oftentimes instead of playing tag or Barbies, I would love to direct and put together fashion shows with my younger cousins. I would come up with a theme, dressed them up, and even went as far as full makeup and hair. I also had this instinct in me when I entered a space to reassemble the furniture. I would imagine and try to think of how I could make the space feel more welcoming and nicer to be in. I even imagined the color scheme that it could be and the different pieces I could bring in to make the interior space more eloquent. I would visit family members and, with their permission, of course… move around their furniture to where it made more sense. They always loved it and told me I had a gift. No matter if it was a cousin makeover or a room remodel, I lived for that before and after transformation. I loved the process of seeing something go from “meh” to “Woah…”
I remember I was 13 years old and an eighth-grader in middle school when it finally clicked in my head what I wanted to do for the rest of life (or so I thought.) I decided I would major in Interior Design. This was perfect for me because I had absolutely no doubt in my head I could be a designer for the rest of my life. In 2019, I graduated with a BFA in Interior Design from the Design Institute of San Diego. I felt so happy because one of my major life goals was to graduate from college and become a renowned designer. Coming from a very humble immigrant family (and being first generation) I was the first in my family to attend college and get a degree.
Interior Design was everything to me, and I became very fortunate because during my 3rd year of college, my design internship turned into a job, and I felt extremely blessed to already be working in the field as a junior in college. After working for one of the coolest hospitality firms (MY Studio ID) in San Diego for a year and a half, I decided it was time to move on to something different. There was a position open at one of the most prestigious unique hospitality firms in all of the country, Basile Studio. Basile Studio is an award-winning design firm that is responsible for designing the masterpieces: Morning Glory, Born and Raised and Raised By Wolves (to name a few). I was quite intimidated when I met Paul Basile, the owner and mastermind behind it all, and after two extensive interviews and a few days later, I got the email that made me shed a few tears. I received an email from Mr. Basile welcoming me into his team, I was honored and in awe. I got hired in September of 2019. I got to meet the whole Basile team, who were all so talented. I realized this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, working amongst an extremely talented team. However, after a few weeks into the job, I quickly realized my heart wasn’t in it. I was crushed and would ask myself, “How could I be so unhappy in the position I knew so many other designers would be so happy to be in?” And It’s not that I loved design any less, I think I just felt stuck since I was working 40 hours a week plus sitting in front of a computer chair.
I knew what it was, it was that my heart craved freedom, I craved autonomy. I would daydream of reasons I would give to leave my job and start again from zero… I knew that could never happen and thought about how I would disappoint my family if I left the career that I poured my blood, sweat, and tears into. All I knew was that I wanted to pursue a career that gave me the freedom to create my own schedule, and most importantly, to be my own boss. I swallowed my gut instinct and didnt say anything, for I had no clue what I would do. I was a fool for wanting to leave that job security and the “dream job” I always thought would make me so content!
Came March of 2020… I had only been working for my firm for six short months. I was the most recent hire at the company. I remember hearing about COVID19 when it was just a rumor circling the internet. Soon after we realized this was serious and the whole world was going into a state of emergency. The shutdown happened and I worked from home for just one week before I got layed off from my “dream job.” A part of me was distressed and embarrassed, yet a part of me was liberated and felt like I had a clean slate to start new no matter what I chose to pursue. It took some time to pick myself back up and to figure out what I wanted to do.
I remember my hair stylist worked her own hours and was her own boss, as well as the microblading artist that I got my eyebrows done with. I remember hearing the phrase, “I worked a 9-5 job and felt stuck, I wanted to be my own boss and choose my own schedule.” I felt like I was meant to be hearing those stories and those exact words. They resonated with me. I knew I had to pursue something in the art field, something that engaged my brain yet gave me the freedom to still be able to design on the side if I chose to. As previously mentioned, I have always loved makeup and transformations. The thought even crossed my mind to become a tattoo artist but I wasnt the best at drawing, and I also knew Cosmetology and makeup application was not it. Then it came to me, a blend of both industries, what if I pursued Permanent Makeup?
For somebody whose biggest insecurity was that I was born with very thin and sparse eyebrows. I decided that I wanted to help out those who were just as unfortunate as me. So amongst the pandemic, it clicked in my head that I wanted to pursue Permanent Makeup, specifically Microshading and Microblading eyebrows. The answer became so clear, and so I ran with it and did all the research I had to do to prepare myself and get myself certified. In October of 2020, my baby was born, Eyebrows & Company. I didnt know how it would go for me or if I would even get clients. All I knew is that this newfound career was everything I ever dreamed of. Being a permanent makeup artist, the aspects I most love was that it was hands-on, the instant beautifying transformations, and the most important, the fulfillment of boosting my clients’ confidence by giving them a pair of eyebrows! Now, here I am 9 months later, loving where I am in my life and loving everything about my new business and career.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The biggest struggle I faced was doubt and dealing with my loved ones’ opinions. The biggest struggle was that I was reinventing myself in the middle of a horrible worldwide pandemic. Even if some didnt say it I knew they doubted me. I heard questions like, “Oh, so you’re giving up on interior design?” and “Are you no longer going to pursue what you went to school for?.” These were all hard questions to answer, as I wasnt quite sure myself what was to happen of me or my first career. I also failed to mention that I moved out for the very first time into my own apartment with my incredible boyfriend Orlando, in late February 2020, right before the pandemic. Not knowing the series of events that would soon come to happen. I think everyone expected me to fail, to give up, and I feel like some even thought I would be forced to leave my cool new apartment. I honestly wouldn’t have done it without my boyfriend’s support and continuous love.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Growing up, I looked up to the elegant and poised Audrey Hepburn. I loved her in all films, especially Breakfast at Tiffanys. My business name was a no-brainer, it would be Eyebrows and Co., inspired by the elegance of Ms Hepburn. My motto/business slogan is “Allow me to enhance your Natural Beauty.” At Eyebrows and Co. I specialize in Microblading, Ombre Brows and Combo Brows. When people think of Permanent Makeup brows, they automatically think, “SHARPIE BROWS”.
I wanted my aesthetic to be as natural, refined, and to look as effortless as possible. I wanted my clients to still look like themselves and, most importantly, to make them feel comfortable and happy with their new full eyebrows! What I am most proud of is when new clients tell me that my work is super natural-looking and that they feel they are in good hands when they come in for their service. It makes my heart jump with joy when it comes time for the eyebrow reveal and my client smiles from ear to ear, and some even shed a tear of happiness. I don’t consider myself just a PMU artist, because, during the 3-4 hour procedures, I am more than that. I am also their therapist and confidant. Most importantly, I am the vessel that gives my clients the ability to boost their confidence.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me has always meant being 100% happy with yourself and the individual you are. If you’re not happy with the person you are, I believe it is very hard to amount to much. Success is being in love with all aspects of your life, career, love, family, etc. Success shouldn’t be measurable or a set of standards set by society. Everyone should have their own unique definition of success. To me success is following your heart into doing whatever it is you will feel the most liberated and fulfilled as a human being.
Pricing:
- Microblading 350$
- Ombre Brows 350$
- Combo Brows 400$
Contact Info:
- Email: sandovalyazmin222@gmail.com
- Website: https://eyebrowsandco.as.me/schedule.php
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyebrowsandco/
Image Credits:
Orlando Quintanar
