Exploring Life & Business with Natalie Amador of Nat.esthetics

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Amador

Hi Natalie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
The year was 2016, I was a senior about to graduate high school growing up I had a passion for makeup and skin care but unfortunately was told that I could not be successful without a college education , as a a seventeen year old that was oddly confusing to hear especially since I felt I didn’t have the capacity to choose what I wanted to do for the rest of my life at such a young age . With the influence of society I enrolled into a community college and started taking general ed courses since I still had no idea what I wanted to pursue as a career all i knew is that I wanted to find something that brought me as much joy as makeup and skincare did and I definitely did not want it to feel like a job ! While attending Cerritos I did work part time , while working it brought me to a close friend which suggested a program at Cerritos College called “Esthetician” when she mentioned it I was completely confused and my exact words were “ what is that!?” she started to explain the program and stated that once we completed the exact course hours and passed the state exam you’d become licensed and you could work doing facial treatments, waxing and makeup ! I did not hesitate and that night I got home researched the program and enrolled for Fall of 2018 . I worked a lot the summer prior to the program since I did need to pay for the course out of pocket and with the support of my parents I started my program and finished May of 2019 !

The esthetics program helped me find myself and in many ways changed my life for the better ! Once graduating the search for work began , I interviewed continuously and was not successful with any job offers but I did not let that stop me , I decided to take on another job and work until I could save up for the products and supplies needed in order to start my own business and in March of 2020 I finally did, I quit one out of the two jobs and was ready to start taking potential clients !
As you all know the world did stop during that time period due the covid 19 pandemic and we were on lock down! I was left with my new supplies and a dream it definitely did hurt but, I am also a big believer in everything happens for a reason. Months went by and being on lock down did spark up a lot of creativity for a lot of entrepreneurs and I was one of them, since we were all at home and going through a very stressful time I said why not come up with a way for people to relax at home and that is where my idea for a “at home facial kit “ came into place it was a box that came with products for your skin needs with a step by step guide on how to use the products . It was very successful and was sold out for months due to it going viral ! With the income I received from selling my facial kits I decided to save up for my very own at home spa , this was popularized during this time period since there was a lot of restrictions set in place with a lot of small businesses due to the pandemic ! I explained the concept to my dad and within a month he built my every own space in our backyard . I began to take clients very slowly since we were in the middle of a pandemic and it mainly involved my immediate family and boyfriend .

As time passed and restrictions were lifted I began to feel safe bringing in more clientele and one day a close friend and I decided to record facial treatment I did on her and post the video onto my tik tok account the next morning I woke up to thousands of messages asking where I was located and how to book from then on I was booked for months ! That video helped my business grow so much and allowed me to connect with so many amazing people who are now my loyal clients.

Fast forward to last year , I began to outgrow my space at home and for a while thought about owning my own storefront and in November of 2023 I was fortunate enough to open my own salon in the city of Downey,Ca which was dream place for a very long time ! It was a nerve wrecking decision but I have been fortunate enough to have found a very great space and I’ve never been happier with my decision it has helped my business grow so much and has helped me grow as a business owner and the best part is that it has never felt like a job to me because it is something I love so much .I am excited to see what the future has in store for both my business and I . I’m grateful for all the support I’ve received along this journey from my family ,boyfriend, and especially my clientele I would definitely not be at this point of my career without any of them .

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As a business owner I have faced many struggles along the way. I am a first generation Mexican American Latina who had no idea how to start a business. All of this was so new to me so I had no idea where to even begin. An example of a struggle can be starting my business during the pandemic it may have stopped me from starting my business the way I wanted to but, it gave me a different perspective on how continue my business during such a tough time period. Ultimately everything ended up falling into place and what drove me to push forward was not only my passion for the field I am in but, the goal to make myself and my family proud. My struggles have only been bumps in the road and I never take them too personal. We are all human and we learn from the obstacles that life throws at us.

As you know, we’re big fans of Nat.esthetics . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am a Licensed Esthetician Located in the city of Downey, Ca. I have been licensed for 5 years now this license allows me to provide Facial treatments ,Waxing , and more . The services I currently offer include a variety of facials , including corrective , custom and holistical based treatments. I also offer full body waxing services and Lash lift treatments. I am most known for my creative ways of building my facial treatments by not only it being customized for the person but , even the season. I feel what sets me apart from others is the vibe I bring to my salon I am such a hippie I love plants , I love incense, and overall I am a very down to earth human being . I am proud to say that I am truly myself when working and my brand very much shows that . I would like everyone to know that my space is your safe space. I want everyone that walks into that door to feel that they can be themselves with me, I want you to leave my salon and say wow that experience was amazing and so out of the ordinary because I am very much that .

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
There are many different things that define success in my eyes. Some including building a business from the ground up. It definitely requires a lot of patience, determination, and commitment. It isn’t easy building a brand and especially on your own. You have to not to be afraid of taking risks. At the beginning of my career, I struggled with this a lot, especially being the first person in my family to take this path. I was afraid of losing my passion due to being so focused on running a business. It’s something I had no idea how to do but, surprisingly learning how to start and run a business has pushed me to work even harder. What motivates me is not only where I started, which was at home with close family and friends, but the fact that I have continued to pursue being my own my own boss. Ultimately to me this is success. Being able to get out of your comfort zone and starting your own business. I have so much respect for those that do.

Pricing:

• Facials $90-$180
• Waxing $10-$80
• Lash lifts $85-$100
• Holistic Healing $44-$155

Contact Info:

• Website: https://natsesthetics111.square.site
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nats.esthetics/?hl=en
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nats-esthetics-downey
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nats.esthetics?lang=en