She is inspiring (Genevieve Santos)
Happy Monday!
I am constantly working and sometimes I will have days when I am up and sometimes I have days when I am down…. It is refreshing to be surrounded by driven women. It’s like we balance each other out. I may have a down day and one of them may be having a good day and they can cheer me up and vice versa. I met Genevieve Santos last spring when I was a jewelry vendor at a Get Em Girls event. She is one of the most hardworking women I know and she deserves every bit of success that comes her way.
Thanks again Gen,
xoxo
Ally
www.gorgeousonthego.com
gsantos.qbeautyzone.com
She-blogs: Who is Genevieve Santos?
Genevieve: That is a very good question! I’m still trying to figure that one out!
She-blogs: Tell me about your journey to starting Gorgeous On The Go. When did you realize that you wanted to start it and what were some of the steps you took to making it a reality?
Genevieve: While in college, I found an opportunity to make some extra cash doing makeup. A friend of mine taught me the basics of makeup application and I started promoting myself as a makeup artist to friends and family and doing prom clients.
However, I realized that the only way to differentiate is by creating a brand behind my services, and duplicating my efforts as a beauty consultant by training others to do the same thing. There’s only so many clients I can serve in NYC by myself!
She-blogs: What is the mission of your company?
Genevieve: Our mission is to give everyday women the opportunity to have beauty services at their fingertips, without breaking the budget. We offer makeup and skincare services for brides, special occasions, and everyday use.
She-blogs: How did you come up with the name for your company?
Genevieve: It was a catchy phrase, considering that we make women look “gorgeous…on the go!”
She-blogs: What do you think are the benefits of offering an at home beauty service?
Genevieve: Offering at home beauty services allows us to save money on overhead, such as a salon. As a result, we can invest more in training and quality products, which ultimately benefits our customers. With the economy now, most people are cutting back on beauty and spa services, but they still have cash to buy skincare and makeup products, which we can provide.
She-blogs: Do you have any events planned for spring?
Genevieve: We’re excited to be collaborating on a few events, such as the Girls Night Out events with Moxie in the City (www.moxieinthecity.net). We’ll also be doing a few in-store promotions at a number of boutiques in the city.
She-blogs: What does your average day look like?
Genevieve: Wake up around 9am to start my day with some breakfast and check emails. 12pm –5pm Send out follow-up emails & phone calls to clients and prospective partners. 5pm – Get ready for appointments (usually they’re in the evening). 7pm-9pm – More follow-up calls to clients (best time to reach them) or attend a networking event. 9pm-12am – work on marketing projects and call it a day! Being an entrepreneur is beyond the 9-5 schedule!
She-blogs: Why do you love what you do?
Genevieve: I love being in the beauty industry. It’s such a privilege to be able to help women look and feel good just by touches of makeup or helping them with their skincare. The most rewarding part is also training the consultants on my team and empowering them to help others as well.
She-blogs: Were you always interested in becoming a makeup artist and did you go to school for it?
Genevieve: Growing up, I was never the person that people went to for makeup tips or was obsessed with mac. I never went to school for makeup, but once I made the decision to become a makeup artist, I immersed myself in the field. Fortunately, my mentor, who’s a trained makeup artist, helped me get started and I just practiced on anyone I could get my brushes on!
Another way I was able to enhance my skills was organizing a Makeup Artist meetup (www.meetup.com/nycmakeupartists), where I was able to create a community of MUAs throughout NYC. Being in a community of like-minded people was definitely an asset because I got so much advice on the industry.
She-blogs: What life lessons have you learned from your experiences as an entrepreneur so far?
Genevieve: As an entrepreneur, there are certain realities that I’ve come to accept on this journey. First, we must walk the road less traveled and sometimes it can get lonely at times. Second, although it’s fun to say that you’re the boss, but it’s also double the hard work, as opposed to having a job. But in the end, the hard work is soooo worth it. I’ve been able to create opportunities and experiences that most people wouldn’t be able to do just coming out of college.
She-blogs: Did you face any challenges along the way and if so how did you overcome them?
Genevieve: I’ve overcome a lot of challenges in starting my business. For example, I was so used to being praised for my work, so hearing someone complain about how I did their makeup was hard to deal with at first. Instead of defending myself or feeling hurt, I would ask questions, like, “What is it you don’t like about it?” and then try to fix it. Communication is key to resolving any conflict, so we shouldn’t be afraid of it.
She-blogs: Do you have advice for someone who may want to become a successful makeup artist?
Genevieve: Absolutely. Depending on what kind of makeup you want to specialize in (bridal, tv or fashion), immerse yourself in the industry by reading books, magazines, and researching on the Internet. I would recommend joining a company, either a beauty counter or a cosmetics line to distribute, so you can receive a discount on products as you build your kit and receive free training. Once you have a kit together, start practicing! Whether it’s friends or family, the only way to develop a technique is to practice!
She-blogs: Are there any other job fields you would like to explore in the future?
Genevieve: Although I love beauty, I’m a marketing fiend. I love learning about new marketing techniques, the social media revolution, and viral marketing via facebook and myspace. It’s interesting how the Internet plays a role in how products and people are perceived, especially in the Web 2.0 world. So I would love to do some consulting work in those fields.
She-blogs: Name one place that you have never been that you want to travel to and why?
Genevieve: There’s too many! I’d like to explore the countries near the Mediterranean Sea, such as Greece, Cyprus and everywhere else in between.
She-blogs: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Genevieve: Being able to turn this part-time business into a full-time career, training hundreds of people in the art of beauty. Gorgeous on The Go will practically run itself, so I’ll be able to focus on other areas of interest and spend time with my family. Who knows, maybe I’ll be married with a bun in the oven by then!
She-blogs: What is your mantra on life?
Genevieve: “If things don’t happen the way I want them to, I make them happen!”
She-blogs: Who or what inspires you?
Genevieve: As a creative, it’s not hard to find inspiration from everything around me. Walking the streets of Manhattan inspires me because I see the possibilities ahead. Seeing other businesses in my field thrive inspires me because I know that I’ll have my piece of the pie. My family inspires me to move forward because everything I do is for them.
She-blogs: When was the last time you laughed so hard you couldn’t breathe?
Genevieve: It was this past weekend with my 2 girlfriends. We just finished dinner and acted on impulse to go out to a club. But we had more fun in the car because we were just acting a fool! Sometimes you just need those moments to make you appreciate what you have, instead of what you don’t have.
She-blogs: What do you do to stay balanced?
Genevieve: Prayer and church period.
She-blogs: What do you like to do for fun?
Genevieve: Although I consider my business activities as fun, sometimes I need a break! I enjoy visiting friends and spending quality time with them, especially my friends that have kids. I love random girls night outings in the city too!
She-blogs: What do you like most about the way you look?
Genevieve: As a plus-sized girl, I love my curves and how I dress to accentuate them!
