Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Hicks.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Originally from Colorado, I came to San Diego when I was 20 years old, about 13 years ago. Not knowing exactly what I wanted out of life, just knowing I needed a change.
California has always had a reputation where I come from. The dreamers pack up, full of ambition and plans, only to come home a year or so later, defeated and disappointed.
I promised myself that it would be different for me. As everyone told me “you’ll be back! see you next year,” at my going away party. My mom purchased my one way ticket, and I was off.
I enrolled in beauty school with the plan of becoming a famous makeup artist In downtown LA, where I would know, that I had finally “made it,” therefore successfully proving everyone in my hometown wrong.
“Do you know how many people dream of being Hollywood make up artists? You should be more realistic,” was something I heard often.
I graduated cosmetology…worked in a salon with my mom doing hair half the time in PB, and bartending/managing the other half of the time for about a year.. Got married. Decided I wasn’t a fan of doing hair, and decided to pursue a hospitality career.
My mom suggested I always keep my cosmetology license current because it was an accomplishment that I had worked so hard on, and “you never know what the future holds..”
I blew her off, but she was sure to push it until I renewed it every time it expired.
The following year I earned the opportunity to become a franchisee of an Italian ice shop. “You shouldn’t take that risk, 50 percent of all restaurants fail,” was something I heard from people on a regular basis.
That’s when I decided that I would be successful, prove those people wrong, and again, I would know I “made it.”
I pushed myself and my relationships to the limit for years on my journey to success and self-purpose.
Then one day I had a random thought… Every choice I had made in my life was solely driven by spite… based on comments made by people that I had lost touch with, and most of the time didn’t even like.
With that I realized I didn’t want to own an ice cream shop anymore, and I didn’t care what any haters had to say. I made the call to close my store, and walk away.
I felt lost at first, not knowing what to do next. But the first step was to start listening to the people that genuinely loved, supported and believed in me, not people banking on my failures, filling my head with negativity and self-doubt.
I had my son right before Covid and utilized that time to perfect a new skill. I chose lashing because it was something that enabled me to work for myself, with my license (thanks mom!)
All of the skills I had accumulated in business, and the commitment to open myself up to positivity introduced me to two amazing mentors, that helped me perfect my technique and launch a successful lash business.
That brings me to where I am now as a lash/body contouring tech.
I may not be an LA makeup artist, or successful ice cream franchisee.. but I do know that I have finally”made it,” and anything could come next because “you never know what the future holds.”
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?
I feel like the biggest struggle for me was overcoming my insecurities and learning that I should build my self-worth from within, not off the opinions of others. Once I established the foundation of confidence in myself, I was able to experience success in all aspects of my life.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I started as a lash tech, and have since added body contouring services to my menu. I choose to keep my selection limited so I can maintain the quality in my skills.
The thing I am most proud of is my pricing and my clientele. I like to keep my pricing affordable because I enjoy maintaining the clients that I can relate to. I pride myself in catering to the working women, mothers, and real people with real bills to pay. I am happy to offer a service that instantly boosts the confidence of my client, without breaking the bank.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
The thing that matters most to me is continued personal growth. I feel that the majority of us only scratch the surface of our true potential throughout our lives. As soon as you accept a mediocre situation or a toxic trait as an uncontrollable fate, you are basically accepting defeat in your life leaving you to stay stagnant forever.
Pricing:
- Full Set Lashes – $75
- 2 week fill-$45
- 3 week fill- $55
- Lip Filler- $150-$300
- Powder Brows- $275
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @paragonsd
