Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Hernandez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
AGAINST ALL ODDS
What a journey I have traveled! My intro to the beauty world began in 2003. I was young, beautiful, driven, fun, smart, talented, mature, motivated, hardworking. I had everything going for me and dreamed the most amazing dreams about what my future would look like; I was going to have my own salon one day.
At 17, I had made it into the cosmetology program at my high school. I would go to school until 12 pm and then head to beauty school until 4:30 pm each day. I had everything planned out; I would get a job, work for two years, and gain the license to buy my own salon. The entrepreneur in me has been here since my early teenage days. If I could meet my teenage self, I’d give her a high five.
I was driven, but I was also 17 and had a child to provide for. Reality set in quickly, and I knew my dream had to be put on hold. My priority became caring for my child, in addition to attending two different schools (high school and beauty school), working two jobs, and schoolwork. I worked a full-time job with benefits on top of my part-time salon gig to provide for my daughter until I was 29.
My entire twenties was dedicated to providing what was needed in that exact moment, which helped me dedicate myself to grow, personally, professionally, and spiritually, as a mom, friend, and entrepreneur. I have always had a lust for success, and a drive to create a career and sense of self that I was truly passionate about. I knew I was going to be 30 soon, and never lost sight of the goal and my end-game.
Taking my first lash class at 29 was the spark that ignited the flame, so to speak. From the minute I began lashing I knew it was meant to be. This is what I had worked my entire life to find: my true passion. Being a lash artist requires tremendous skill and patience; it is incredibly meticulous, artistic, delicate work. A session with me usually runs 2-3 hours for a first time client, and fills are about 1 hour. Not all people have the patience for it or cut out for this.
Not all people are dedicated to constantly being open to learning new techniques or perfecting their own technique. I, however, knew I had a knack for it from my very first class. With work, dedication, and a goal in mind, I knew failure was not an option. Soon after my first class, I gave my notice at my full-time job, literally pulled out my credit card and prayed. I worked for about six months with little pay, need to perfect my craft and build my clientele.
I created my business and brand in 2016, and it’s been history ever since. I really have grown, and without my past experiences, I would not be a fraction of the woman I am today. I finally see my dream coming to fruition, and am constantly striving for growth and betterment for my professional life, which has lead to growth and betterment for my personal life as well – it’s all connected.
My reflection
You’re never too young to start an empire, and never to old to build your dream. No one is coming to help, and no one is going to do it for you, because no one is you, and no one can see your vision like you. It’s never too late to start again, start over, or rebuild.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nothing worth having comes easy. In the beginning, I worked countless unpaid hours before I even started to see profits. Long days, longer nights. Missed soccer games, dinners, and quality time with my beautiful daughter.
Sacrifice after sacrifice personally, in order to grow professionally. If I wanted to create the life of my dreams, it was not going to come to me. I had to go and create it, even if that meant missed quality time with family and friends, and an intensely skewed work-life balance for a while.
Boston Lash Society – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
INTEGRITY definition: The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. In everything I do in life, I do with integrity.
I am a jack of all trades; a hairstylist, a wax specialist, and a lash artist. I am best known for my love affair with eyelash extensions.
I am most proud that my business was solely and completely built off referrals. I currently have 200 five star reviews on StyleSeat, Yelp, and Facebook. Each and every client leaves with an incredible sense of confidence and empowerment, which is something I encourage all women to feel, not just my clients.
Women helping women, supporting women, uplifting women. That is one of my main goals as an entrepreneur, and as a person in general. Although what I do on the outside is aesthetic, I believe my clients come to me because I provide a relaxing and comfortable environment in which I share experiences, inspire, listen, and maybe even help heal a soul or two in the process.
Because I am able to work freely and independently, it really allows me to experiment with every product on the market. I can achieve any look desired with the countless combination of basic and advanced lash courses I have taken over the years. Being able to fine-tune my own work on a daily basis really sets the bar in terms of my quality of work.
I never go into an appointment or class thinking I know everything; I constantly want to learn and expand my knowledge of techniques of lash application and care.
Each year I specifically dedicate time to travel and train with the top lash artists in the United States, which I believe sets me apart from others who are comfortable being good, instead of striving to be great. My hunger for knowledge and advancement when it comes to lashes is insatiable.
On top of my lash skill set, I am big into personal development. I work with a life coach, read book after book, and travel to different networking events for motivation and personal development. It is imperative for my own health to have my head and heart straight to deliver the best quality of service to my clients effectively.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success can be defined in so many ways. Success is not one lone title, one lone monetary sum, or one lone achievement or award. Success is growth, perseverance, figuring out what you want from life and making it happen by any means necessary.
Success is celebrating the good days and surviving the hard ones without throwing in the towel. Success is never losing sight of your goal through the building and branding process, which can be exhausting on so many levels.
Success is continuing to grow and learn from your peers and from your mentors, and never losing that sense of wonder when it comes to your craft. Success is a healthy work-life balance so that you continue to be passionate about your craft. Success is teaching, inspiring, and helping others grow.
Contact Info:
- Address: 249 Lexington Street Waltham, Ma 02452
- Website: http://www.lashhbeautybar.com
- Phone: 7819963155
- Email: lashhbeautybar@gmail.com
- Instagram: Boston lash society
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lashhbeautybar/
- Other: https://www.styleseat.com/waxandlash?utm_campaign=vanity
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
