Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Padilla.
Robert is an example of what makes us so proud of the VoyageLA mission. He’s hard working, determined and able to roll with life’s punches in pursuit of his true dreams. Below, we share an edited excerpt of our interview with Robert.
Robert, please tell us how you got started.
Right after high school, beauty was my passion. I immediately started Beauty school and reached 1200 hours. During this time I was offered a small make up gig with a friend and fell into a deep love affair with it. Astonishingly enough I left school. Getting a job as a freelance artist with the coveted Chanel and growing into other make up artistry positions, this had gave me an opportunity that flourished my career over the next 17 years of my life. I continued to work my way up in the corporate world of cosmetics, following the politics of corporate life, quickly becoming disinterested I knew I needed changed. Feeling torn away from the artist in me, I decided to discuss this dismay with my partner and loved ones. Unsure of the reaction from my peers, I was amazed with the outpour of encouragement to fulfill my goals. Finally after 22 years the decision was made, I was headed back to beauty school to succeed in my passion. Now, after 22 years of practicing beauty without the educational background, I have dedicated all of my spare time to know and learn the best practices. Striving to be the best Stylist and Make Up artist taking trainings from coast to coast and even traveling aboard, I make sure to stay chic and edgy, fitting the trends and latest styles. Never will my work be compromised and or a client unsatisfied.
That’s incredible. Sounds like quite the story – so you just left the corporate world and jumped into your impendent life – what was that like?
In life I wish there was a smoothing elixir that I can just put on the ends and remove that frizz but unfortunately life doesn’t work that way. Giving up my well paid excellent career, which I had worked so hard to establish, was disheartening in the least. Then transitioning my lifestyle to fit a full time student after so long was a feat in itself. But after so much tribulation being able to finish beauty school and make the huge transition to LA was such an accomplishment. Being able to establish myself in such a competitive environment and build a loyal clientele was a struggle but a hurdle that did not stop me from pursuing my goals.
Interesting – so was that the hardest part in your journey?
To say I had a lot of difficulty in my career progression would not be accurate as this is what I love and everything is a learning experience. I can say that work life balance is where troubles rendered. While I was pursuing my education and establishing my career, I was hit so hard with family turmoil. There were two extreme hardships on me. My father fell extremely ill and him being the backbone to our family really pulled the wind from under my wings. I would pause in my endeavors to be with him and visit family. The struggle between establishing myself and having the concern of sick loved ones was beyond challenging. Shortly after that my father began to recover, I moved to LA without a job lined up and just on a whim.
That’s when my world fell apart once again, my brother passed. Losing my brother really killed my spirit. I didn’t know what to do and if I was doing the right thing. I have realized life is to short to not do what you love. With life’s constant whirlwinds I pushed forward. Moving to LA without a single client, to joining a salon, to extended clientele, to print work and articles, I knew I made it. Feeling struggle, loss, and accomplishment all at the same time is when you know you have reached your goal and it’s only going to continue to go up from there.
Wow, really sorry about a lot of that. It’s incredible to see how far you’ve come given the incredible odds and difficulties you’ve had along the way. What are your plans for the future?
There is so much the future holds. Opening my own salon suite is the ultimate goal. In addition to opening my own place I want to do more on site work and have the flexibility to expand my career across the industry. I cannot say I want change, but I can say I want growth and I know I can do it.
There you have it folks, another example of the never-give-up attitude that has made LA the envy of the world.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
Check out his work below:
Liz
June 4, 2016 at 06:34
Robert is an awesome person and friend. He comes from a very loving family and I’m so proud of Robert and all that he and his partner have accomplished through the years. I wish him all the best! He is truly an inspiration to us all.