Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Marquez.
Kimberly, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Born and raised in Fresno, CA I interned at a local radio broadcasting station at the age of 18. Two years later, I got promoted to on-air radio personality and producer for the morning show and midday show. Radio has allowed me to work on many different business/career ventures outside of my original profession. I currently star in TV commercials, model, act, host, plus more! I also made a dream come true back in 2018 where I competed for Miss California USA for the first time, and a couple of months later I competed in a national pageant for Miss Nuestra Belleza USA where I took home that title. It was always a dream of mine to compete and show the world my passions and talents! One major dream of mine since I was a little girl aside from being in the entertainment industry, is owning my own business.
Joining pageants and being in front of cameras made me love makeup and glam a lot more. Quite frankly, I wasn’t much of a makeup person back in my teen years. I never really knew how to properly apply it until I started joining pageants! I learned so much from the incredible women around me… and also because I kind of had to if I wanted to take home the crown, haha! Being around women with different backgrounds, cultures, looks, etc., could make you a little intimidated, but preparation builds confidence. However, there was one thing that brought us together during those special yet nerve-racking days, and that was makeup! I fell in love with the way we all united through it that it made us forget we were all competing against each other. Makeup made us bond and build a sisterhood! We talked about different ways we all applied our makeup and debated whether lipstick came last or not. I have always wanted to own a business where it was THAT a sisterhood.
As a Mexican-American woman who worked extra hard for opportunities all my life, I wanted to make this brand a safe place to be your own kind and unique self! I took a chance in the middle of a pandemic and started my Kimmie Lashes line. I love how fierce I feel and look with long and gorgeous 3D mink eyelashes! Kimmie Cosmetics represents the woman who doesn’t take no for an answer, who loves to build others up, and looks at herself in the mirror and say, “you are beautiful, you are enough, and you are worth it.” I want to make women feel loved, valued, and appreciated through my brand. I’m just getting started and I’m really excited for what the future holds! Aside from my business, I also created a woman empowerment page/podcast/clothing brand called Lead With Love Movement on Instagram. I have different women guests, such as some of your fav celebs, influencers, artists, entrepreneurs, and women activists who are making an impact in the world through what they believe in. We schedule IG lives to discuss relatable topics and even get deep with our own personal life experiences. I design special Merch for it as well. The goal is to continue to grow professionally and as a business owner, follow the vision, execute, make women from around the world feel more confident, beautiful, and fierce, and of course, God willing continue to take this brand up to new heights!
Has it been a smooth road?
Before starting my own business, I would look at other businesses and say, “wow. They make it look so easy!” Reality check for me was that it is NOT as easy at it looks when you start your own business. However, I told myself that if I just fantasize about having a business and not going for it, then I will always live with the “what ifs” and that’s something I told myself I was never going to do. So, as I began with my master plan I almost didn’t want to move forward with it. I would get frustrated most of the time and would quit. I started with this idea about 2-3 years ago, but I was afraid to go for it. Just this year, I finally did. The hardest part for me was trying to find the best quality product that represents me and my brand. Therefore, it took a lot of time to finally find what I was looking for all along! The biggest reward about investing so much time and money in this plan is that now I have something to share with my loyal customers (and new customers) that I know will love and enjoy as much as I do!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Kimmie Cosmetics – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I own a cosmetics/ eyelash business. We started with eyelashes and now are bringing out different makeup products! Super excited about that. We are mainly known for our Kimmie Lashes. They are false lashes – 25mm mink 3D lashes. I am so proud to have a woman empowerment business. A business focused on making women feel their best at all times! We are all about positive vibes only. What sets us apart from others is our quality products. We love to listen to our customer’s needs and work on bringing out the best products they can fabulously glow in!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The best part about LA is the food, the different places you can visit, the great city views, the diversity of people and the fast pace environment. I feel like there are endless opportunities to explore the city. People I know who have lived here their entire life always say that there are many places they still have yet to visit! It’s also motivating and inspiring to see everyone so focused on their goals and hungry to be more and do more! The hustle is real. I love it.
I don’t really dislike much, oh yeah, just the traffic! I wish there was wider streets and more freeway lanes or more time to get to our destinations, haha!
Pricing:
- Handmade 25mm 3D False Mink Lashes = $20-$25
- Eyelash Adhesive = $10
- Matte Lipsticks = $20+
Contact Info:
- Website: kimberlymarquez.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kimberlykjm
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kimberlykjm www.facebook.com/
leadwithlovemovement - Twitter: www.twitter.com/kimberlykjm
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