Today we’d like to introduce you to Elena Prohnitchi.
Hi Elena, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi, my name is Elena and I am a hairstylist and makeup artist in San Diego. I was born in Moldova and had the opportunity to move to the United States 6 years ago. I loved everything related to beauty since I was a little girl. I was always inspired by teachers who were wearing makeup or just had a good taste for styling their hair. I remember trying on different hairstyles at school and hair accessories. I never had the audacity to ask my mom to buy makeup or hair products for me, because obviously, that was not a priority at the time. But as I got older, I learned to save money on the side and ask my big sister to buy me foundations and blush and eye shadows. she still supports me to this day and when I told her I am going full time as a beauty stylist she bought me a very nice expensive makeup palette.
Not a lot of people know that but I have a bachelor’s in Law. I chose to go and study law right after high school when the first year or the second I realized that I love it but I won’t be able to practice it since I could not be myself and be creative, so I went and took a cosmetology course. I was studying law and practicing hair on the side already and I was in love with it.
Moving to the United States just gave me the opportunity to have a job and be able to do hair and makeup on weekends. And slowly I was growing my clientele as well as my confidence. I had my son during the pandemic and realized how important it is to spend more time with the family and I didn’t want an 8 to 5 job anymore. I decided to do only hair and makeup, applied to recognize my license, and went for it. I was not sure I would be able to do it but I was sure it’s the right thing to do.
I also teach hair and makeup, professional as well as non-professional, I do a lot of free services as well and I try to empower women and men that want to learn more or if they want to make this a career. I am proud to say that I found my calling in life and I am very passionate about every student and every client I meet. They support me and I do my best to make them feel themselves and feel confident.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was definitely not smooth. I think every person switching careers or starting a new business is going to have a lot of questions and internal fighting, but I am happy that most people I met were there at the right time to support me when I was about to fall or to give me a little kick of confidence when I was just not taking the right steps. The most important thing is to believe in yourself, A LOT because nobody else will support you more than You can. I knew the road I chose; I knew this is what I love and I knew I change other people’s lives. I was also blessed to meet a mentor along the way and she made me create a vision board and asked me to take more classes to get more confident and then it worked, nobody else’s opinion mattered when I fully believed in myself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in Bridal hair and makeup. I also offer professional hair and makeup classes for my students. I still to this day take private classes myself to learn more and be able to offer more and inspire my students. I am an outgoing person and try to learn a new things from every person I meet in my life. I truly believe any person you meet has something wonderful to offer. I am also very organized and I like to make my clients feel confident that I will show up for them the day of and even do my best for their day to be awesome in every aspect, not just hair and makeup.
I am proud that I can share my knowledge and can help other stylists to get jobs as well, I frequently ask my students to assist me for weddings I do, or to come learn from me when I am doing a free service. So far it has been empowering for me as well as for my students and I find joy in what I do every day.
I also have a YouTube channel I am trying to grow to be able to share more of the beautiful hair and makeup you can do yourself or you can learn as a professional. I appreciate everyone supporting me on there and leaving comments to encourage me to record new content.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My husband needs all the credits because on the weekends he takes care of our son when I take weddings. He is the first person I seek advice from and he is also a good critic. My family and friends of course because they are there for me to listen to my stories and laugh with me or cheer for me when something awesome happens.
My clients are probably the most awesome and sweet people that I have met. I meet about 200-250 people a year and let me tell you %99.99 out of them are there for me, are happy for me, and keep reaching out to book me when they have an event. I love them and I am so grateful for each one of them.
Pricing:
- Bridal hair $125
- Bridal makeup starts at $105
- Event hair and makeup package $190
- Private classes start at $125
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/elenaprostyles
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/elenaprostyles
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2qOsEv_GiRIA-5toDVFxAw/
- Other: www.Thumbtack.com/elenaprostyles
Image Credits
instagram.com/fruitvaledesign
