Daily Inspiration: Meet Leslie Lopez-Santiago

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Lopez-Santiago.

Hi Leslie , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have done many jobs and had a different career path in mind when I finished high school. In college I was set on getting a film related degree where I transferred from a community college to a UC school and graduated with a bachelors degree in media. While working in a nonprofit film media company, I was working in a Trader Joe’s. For awhile I was happy and eventually I realized media and film wasn’t for me. I decided to go back to school for my Esthetcian license in Santa Monica and it took me 2 years to complete CA requirements for my license. I worked for franchises as Esthetcian for waxing and sugaring and small nail salon in ocean park. Eventually I gained the confidence to pursue opening my own business and not following “right steps” to open my business. Meaning having my clientele so clients would follow me and continue to grow. Instead I opened a suite with no clientele in a new area and starting from scratch. Purple Este is my business name and it was inspired from Korean pop band, BTS. It started as a dream that became real just in August of this year. Purple Este is new in the industry and Los Angeles area where it’s growing and thriving.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been an easy road and there was some obstacles that were overcame. The most memorable obstacle was overcoming the fear of failure. It was the main reason why I didn’t open my business as I was afraid of failing in my business when I did not have the basic fundamentals like a startup fund, knowledge of how to business and following legal route with IRS and CA state. I was terrified to open a business without a startup fund and no clientele base since I could easily sink into financial hardship easily within months. I am the first in my family to open a business and I did not know much about the legal parts of opening a business so it took to talking to people and contacting resources to get the paperwork started to open the business.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an Esthetcian and I specialize in waxing, sugaring, make up artist and beauty services.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Integrity, never giving up, going all in with no hesitation, and being open minded.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purpleeste_leslie?exln=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Yelp: https://share.google/zKYaxwOJRiNOY6jcF
• Other: https://purpleeste.glossgenius.com/

Image Credits
Pedro Colo of California Post for portrait photo