Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Moriel.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I worked in the beauty industry as a manicurist while I was in college. I had graduated Suffolk University and I was on track to work in the financial services industry. But something was simply not clicking for me. I was completely unsatisfied with my life.
A friend of mine noticed that I was very unhappy and invited me to take my first self-development course. During this course, I had the time to look deeply into my life and my passions. This is how I first discovered I had a true passion for makeup and it’s artistry. Without hesitation and never looking back I took this idea by the horns and started practicing. Grabbing all of my friends and going into a photography studio with another friend I learned everything I could.
This was before there were YouTube Tutorials and digital cameras. I learn through traditional photography and trial and error.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road at all.
When I started out I don’t feel I had great mentors. I don’t feel it was a supportive industry.
One of my goals in life is to have a beauty business that I can franchise so that I can be that mentor to young women in this industry.
I was very lucky in a sense that when I started freelancing I discovered yoga at the same time. I had all this spare time on my hands so I started volunteering at a yoga studio for free classes.
Practicing mind and body awareness had been pivotal to my career. I feel it helped keep me on track when I was worried about finances or my talent development.
Having enough confidence in my skill and feeling like a ‘fake’ in the industry because I’m a self-taught artist was the hardest part for me to get over and have a meditation and exercises practice has actually been the most supportive and helpful for me to get over those bumps in my career roads.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Swoone Beauty – what should we know?
I’ve been a freelance makeup artist for over 13 years.
I have two major specialties.
One of them is wedding makeup. My best friend is also my business partner and we have developed Swoone Beauty over the years. Our business was nominated and won Boston’s Best last year with the Improper Bostonian for wedding makeup.
I also have worked very hard at a career in the production and movie industry as well. Over the past few years Boston as established a tax credit that has had many productions film in Boston. I had steered away from this in my career because of the demanding hours. It had been a strain on my relationship. But after leaving that relationship behind I have dedicated myself to this part of my career and it has been very rewarding. I thoroughly enjoy working in this industry. The camaraderie on set is amazing and I deeply enjoy the entire process. From character development to the filming process itself. This is my true passion and expression of my artistry and the direction I wish to develop my career in the most.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Actually growing up I would say was the opposite for me.
My family is immigrants from Mexico. I’m the first generation born in the United States.
I feel very Americanized and happy and grateful for that.
My family put a very high esteem on having a traditional and secure job.
My father always said get a good government job that is secure and has great benefits.
I, on the other hand, I have always been the rebel or out of the box thinker in my family.
Growing up I just always had a sense I wanted to be an artist of some kind never expecting to be a makeup artist. I had thought about becoming a write (pls don’t judge my writing, lol!).
I do have a strong sense of discipline ana d deep sense of speaking up for myself. I can’t deny myself of something when I get a gut feeling or desire about it. When the desire to become an artist arose I just went for it against my families desires and there thoughts that it was a just for now thing. Now they are very proud of my accomplishments.
Contact Info:
- Address: 18 Forbes St. #3
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 - Website: www.swoonebeauty.com
- Phone: 781-267-9871
- Email: claudiamoriel@mac.com
- Instagram: @clau_moriel and @swooneful
Image Credit:
Elizabeth Deluca Photogrpahy
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