Life & Work with Sandra Khopon Churchill of Arcadia, California

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Khopon Churchill

Sandra, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
From an International figure skater to PMU and tattoo artist: My life has always been about being an athlete and a figure skater representing my parents home country, Thailand. After high school, I was teaching kids how to skate and was still very involved in the ice skating world. I had always dreamed of taking my students to the Olympics one day. About 5 years into coaching, I randomly discovered PMU (specifically ombré powder brows). I remember feeling so excited and motivated to dive into this new industry. I’ve always had a love for makeup and tattoos. I also knew that I wanted to be my own boss. Once I took my first ombré powder brow course, it changed my life. A fire was lit inside me. I ended up leaving my coaching job 2 years later to pursue my business full time, which was around the time COVID happened. I really wanted to put 100% into my business, despite the pandemic.

Fast forward to today, I now own a storefront with my husband. Our shop is a fusion of a hair salon and PMU/tattoo studio located in Arcadia, CA. This feeling of excitement is still alive and I love what I do. Being able to help people feel confident and beautiful through the power of eyebrows has been so fulfilling to me. Being able to teach students to do the same has also been such a dream. Waking up doing what I love everyday is exactly what younger me would’ve wanted and have been so proud of.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road as I was not a “natural” when I first learned how to do brows in 2018. I really wanted to be good and succeed so I did the work. There were many moments where I wanted to quit because my work wasn’t where I wanted it to be and running a business required much more than just performing a service. With more time, proper training, tons of practice, and even some self taught learning, I have developed my own style and technique. When I left my coaching career to do PMU full time in 2020, we also entered a worldwide pandemic. The struggles of the beauty industry getting shut down 3 times within a year was very difficult, but ultimately, my business survived. Continuing to keep my business alive has its ups and downs, but I always remind myself why I started and what goals I want to achieve.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a permanent makeup artist who specializes in ombre powder brows. I also teach beginner and advanced artists from around the world. I am most known for my pixelated soft/medium technique. I am most proud of creating brows that don’t look like a saturated tattoo, but instead looking like someone filled in their brows with powder makeup. What sets me apart from others is my eye for detail and precision, as well as ensuring my clients experience top notch service. As an educator, I believe what sets me apart is my teaching style. Since I used to teach kids how to ice skate, I’ve learned how to explain and teach in a way that’s easy for everyone to understand. I don’t believe in over complicating the technique. My past career has also taught me patience, which also translates to how I train my PMU students.

Aside from brows, I also offer fine line tattoos and permanent jewelry. These are my newest services that I’ve been loving to do alongside with brows. It definitely brings out another creative side of me. I am proud of all the services I offer because of how it makes my clients feel. I love being able to make people happy and making special memories with them through my services.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I believe in genuinely caring about my clients and students. Putting 100% into every appointment and training, especially the days when I’m feeling 50%. Caring about putting my best work out and striving to be a better artist and trainer everyday is what I feel is most important to my success. As someone who had to push through the hardest times of being an International athlete, you can do whatever you set your mind to. If you fall down seven times, stand up eight. The key to success is a combination of hard work, determination, dedication, consistency, and perseverance.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pmubeautybysandra.com
• Instagram: pmubeautybysandra