Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Granillo.
Linda, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always had a passion for beauty, but it wasn’t until I hit 30 that I decided I wanted to find a career in the industry. I began blogging around age 27, sharing beauty tips and reviews with the community. Blogging is what really propelled me forward into beauty. Seeing the different career options available and researching, exploring them all started because of the people I met while blogging. With the support of my husband and younger sister, I eventually took a makeup course at April Love Pro Makeup Academy in San Gabriel while working full time in Palm Springs. I’d drive up every Saturday for 12 weeks, brushes in hand, enjoying every minute of the course.
A few fun opportunities opened after that, but I was so busy working (in marketing), I wasn’t focusing on makeup as much as I’d wanted to. Realizing that a) I was not getting any younger and b) gen z and late gen Y-ers are blowing up the beauty game, I pushed forward. Shortly after that, I restructured my blog, updated the name, and launched BeautieSocial with the vision of expanding into makeup workshops, beauty events, and beauty products.
I began hosting (and still host) makeup workshops in Palm Springs with the help of my friend, Iliana Chavez. Most of our workshops sell out, and some are so popular we have to repeat. Even though we’ve held a number of them, I still get butterflies organizing and hosting each event. It’s an excitement that I don’t think will ever die down.
Last year, I decided to buckle down and work on another dream of mine – to launch a makeup brand. It was a ton of work, considering I did and am doing everything myself, but it all came together nicely. Two months ago, I launched BeautiePaint, a beauty line inspired by your favorite vacation spots. I decided to create a Palm Springs inspired palette first, because tourism has been picking up rapidly and Palm Springs has grown into such a mecca of good times and relaxation for all ages. My Pom Pom Springs palette is filled with colors that remind me of home. Later this year, I’ll also be launching other Palm Springs-area inspired products.
I’m still working my marketing gig, and I plan to for as long as I can.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road at all! The most obvious challenge was cash because funding anything requires capital. I didn’t want to take any loans and had a hard time finding investors, so I bootstrapped everything. I put a little away here and a little away there because I was not going to give up on all my progress.
I also had and still have a hard time finding work-life-business balance. I work a typical 40 hours/week job that occasionally turns into a 45-50 hour/week job during peak season. Then I have to work on my own business. Most of my work happens after dinner, so if you see an email from me at 1 am, it’s just another normal workday for me. I’m sure other entrepreneurs feel the same!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with BeautiePaint – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I currently run BeautiePaint and BeautieSocial. BeautieSocial is a rewards-based blog, and we also host beauty workshops in and around Palm Springs. We recently hosted a panel discussion workshop with beauty influencers at Agua Caliente Casino, and that completely sold out. Normally, we hold hands-on workshops focused on different topics, so it was fun to do something a little different. We’re planning another hands-on event for the fall.
BeautiePaint is my cosmetic company with products inspired by your favorite vacation spots. I launched less than two months ago and currently feature two products influenced by Palm Springs – Pom Pom Springs palette and Cactus Flower Makeup Brush Set. I’ll be adding more Palm Springs inspired products soon and eventually will expand with products from other famous hotspots.
My Pom Pom Springs palette has been getting a lot of positive feedback, and that’s important to me as a new brand. I worked my butt off to bring this to life, and each time I receive an order, it feels like I received a little trophy.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Simply – more makeup and more workshops! We’re going to host more makeup events all throughout Southern California, and we’re currently looking at locations for our first Los Angeles workshop.
For BeautiePaint, I’m working on a number of different products, from additional palettes to shimmer singles, lip glosses and lashes. Next year, we’ll start focusing on different vacation locations. I’m already working on Oahu, Paris, and Vegas-inspired products and designs. But I might throw a curveball and launch a different hotspot. I like to leave a little mystery.
Pricing:
- Pom Pom Springs Palette $25
- Cactus Flower Makeup Brush Set $18
- Hands-on Makeup Workshops average between $29-$39 and always include an amazing goody bag.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beautiepaint.com
- Email: beautiepaint@beautiesocial.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautiepaint/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beautiepaint/
- Other: www.beautiesocial.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.
