Life and Work with Janet Miranda

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Miranda of Be.NYLA

Janet, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
As a young girl, I always loved playing with hair, dressing up my dolls, and having imaginary makeovers. As a teen, I experimented with color, fashion, hair, and makeup and loved seeing how quickly one transformed. I knew it would be my career path at a very young age. In fact, I never had a plan B. The most important thing to me was to hone my craft and become the best technician I could, both in hair and makeup.

In early 2000, I started training at the Vidal Sassoon Academy. After graduation, I apprenticed at a Los Angeles high-end salon for 3 years. I was fortunate to have assisted a colorist who became my mentor. He had a full clientele and I was in charge of styling all of his clients. It was at this time, I realized an attraction to editorial hairstyling. I wanted to build my portfolio as I had nothing and decided to move to New York. I spent 7 years in New York doing various jobs such as working in a salon, a wedding agency, fulfilling a dream of working NYC Fashion week, learning business and management at MAC Cosmetics, and pretty much anything I can get my hands on. In 2012, this led to the development of my business, Be.NYLA located in Los Angeles. Inspired by my experiences in New York and LA, beauty and runway, my goal was to create effortless, understated, and timeless looks for the modern bride. Doing hair and makeup has also been an incredible way for me to be able to express creativity while also being able to serve others.

Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. The road has and still is bumpy at times, but it is exciting. I love being able to make my vision come to life. I wore multiple hats in the beginning from learning and understanding my customer and the business to managing and having to be my own agent in the freelance world. It’s a constant journey to discovery! I do my best to see obstacles and challenges as opportunities. I also had to learn to embrace the power of discomfort.

My advice for other women who are starting their journey is to love what you do. Find a mentor, someone you know who will guide you along your new path. Know your customer in and out and spend time talking to them. You need to really understand and learn what their needs and wants are. Last but not least, don’t wait until it is perfect. All too often, we want to wait until our idea is “perfect” to share it with the world (guilty of this). Nothing in life and certainly in business is ever perfect.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Be.NYLA – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Be.NYLA is a team of seasoned hair and makeup artists that possess an extensive background in the industry, guiding you through the unique beauty process that meets your bridal needs. We serve clients in Los Angeles and New York. What we are most proud of and most known for is the detail and customized looks we create for our clients. Brides are asked to bring in hair and makeup inspiration photos, in addition to images of their dress, venue, and overall vision. Our team then shapes a comprehensive beauty look based on their images and personal aesthetic, resulting in head-to-toe synergy on their big day.

Who have you been inspired by?
My mother. She inspired me to just keep plugging along no matter how hard life got. She has shown me resilience and strength. Her strength through life has been remarkable. She has instilled in me a hard work ethic, and a moral compass always pointing in the direction of compassion. She is the first to lend a hand when someone needs help. She shows care and love. Fearlessly. She also inspired me to be kind to everyone. To see the good in people and to forgive.

Their are also two kinds of people who inspire me. First, those who are unfortunate and don’t know what to do for their next meal, but still laugh, play, and sleep without any worries. The second are the people who set live examples for others like Oprah and J.K. Rowling. They faced many challenges in life but never gave up on their dreams. They are live examples of true inspiration.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.benyla.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @Benyla
• Facebook: Benyla

Image Credit:
Photos by Betsi Ewing: Betsiewing.com, Sally Pinera: Sallypinera.com, Rebecca Yale: Rebeccayalephotography.com

Getting in touch: VoyageLA 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.