Community Highlights: Meet Genice Gonzales of Amora J Studios

Today we’d like to introduce you to Genice Gonzales

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have been in love with beauty products and makeup since I was a teen. At the end of high school, I knew I wanted to own a business and I wanted to go to beauty school.
My parents were TOTALLY against the idea and my mom gave me 2 options: go to college with their financial help or go to beauty school and do it on my own.
I went to college. Hated it. Tried nursing. Still hated it. The year my oldest was born, I remember driving home on 4th of July crying because I had to work and I hated my job, school, pretty much everything I was doing.

The following year, I dropped out of college and enrolled in beauty school.
From there on it was not easy, but I was never happier being in the industry that made me genuinely happy to wake up and go to work everyday.

Fast forward 2 years into being licensed, I opened a store front. From there I went on to winning awards in waxing, business, and becoming a pioneer in the industry.

It was one of the most stressful decisions to go against everything my family expected of me but I sit in my new office today looking at how I have grown as a woman, mother and professional – and I have never been more proud of myself.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There is never a smooth road in business.
I opened my storefront 8 months before the COVID shut down. I had 2 choices: get creative or close down. I refused to let go of my dream.
I pivoted and it gave me business skills that I do not think I would have today had I not had to be shut down for so long.
I was also flooded out of my business for 2 months the following year.
The year after that I was vacated as the building I was in was sold to a new owner.

Today, I still can’t believe what I have been able to survive in the last 5 years.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Amora J Studios?
My business stands out with having ada compliance and sensory friendly treatments. We have been treating acne for teens on the spectrum for the last 5 years.
We have protocols to help with sensory processing disorders and have recently discovered that our protocols can also help with ptsd.
I am proud of my brand for being widely accepting of people, bodies, and abilities.
I also hold global, national and local awards for my skills, business and ethical practices.

What were you like growing up?
I was definitely on the nerdy side with a love for horror!
Reading, science and art were interests I went back and forth between. I also think I had a business owner mindset very early on.
I remember sitting outside my house with necklaces and bracelets i had made to sell for a quarter. In high school, I made friendship bracelets and sold those as well. When my oldest was born, I opened and etsy shop and sold hand painted mugs and wine glasses – some of which were sold overseas in the UK!

I have also been very friendly and social; I never had a specific friend group and would float around with different crowds. As an adult, I am still the same way and have the ability to be around all types of people with many different backgrounds. I love learning about people and their cultures.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amorajstudios.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amorajstudios
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theamorajexperience
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@amorajstudios