Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Zamorano.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Natalie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It all started with me getting my lashes done with my friend Hannah from high school. I was amazed of how she had her own business and set her own hours all while having fun at work. I decided too that I would become an esthetician to do eyelash extensions. That very night I made a Pinterest board of Esthetician rooms and how to decorate them. I remember being really happy that I found what I wanted to do in life.
A few months later, I had enrolled in the Esthetician program at my Community College, there was a list to be able to join the program, but I luckily had priority listing. On my first day, I was so excited because I was about to start a new journey in my life; I would be learning about skincare and how to professionally treat all skin types.
Coming from a poor family, I didn’t have anyone to help me with school costs or transportation so I solely was depending on financial aid and my part-time job. On the first day of class at Golden West College our Esthetician Instructor told the class that we needed to purchase a $1,500 kit to be able to stay in the course. My heart sank because I didn’t have any money to buy the kit. Financial aid wasn’t coming until the next two weeks. I was desperately trying to find ways to be able to purchase the kit. I was explaining to the Instructor and financial aid office that I wasn’t getting financial aid until two weeks, but there was nothing they could do. The Instructor said if we couldn’t purchase the kit then we had to drop the course. I felt so devastated and heartbroken because I wanted to be in the program so badly. I remember crying and balling my eyes out because of the defeat I just felt, it was worse than a breakup. I left the school and went home hurt, but at the end of the day I decided to not give up the fight.
A couple of months later, I toured a private beauty college in Garden Grove called Career Academy of Beauty. It was out of my budget and more expensive than a community college, but I wanted this so badly. I enrolled into the Esthetician program in July 2018. Everyday I woke up happy and excited to go learn, I never missed a day of the six months program. It was a struggle but I managed to pay for it by saving all my tips from serving. I met so many amazing women from all backgrounds and made friendships that will last a lifetime.
After graduating school and getting my Esthetician license, I immediately started working. I worked at a salon for about a month and decided it wasn’t the right fit for me. I was getting ripped off and only getting paid 25% commission, which is a really low percentage in the beauty industry. Because I was a newly licensed esthetician, I was getting taking advantage of and ended up only making $100 that month. That’s when I decided to go out on my own.
A month after quitting that salon, I rented out a space in my friend’s Loft studio in Huntington Beach, CA and started working for myself and that is how Bewitched Esthetics came to be. When I opened my business, I was still serving in Downtown Disney to be able to support myself and pay rent. I started with only 3 Clients, and now I have over 100 clients that I see from time to time. Amid the pandemic, Bewitched Esthetics moved to its own location located in Peters Landing in Huntington Beach, CA.
Bewitched Esthetics started with only offering Lash Extensions but now offer Lash Lifts, Brow Tinting, Teeth Whitening, Hair Removal, Skincare Treatments, CBD Facials Henna Brows. All while using Vegan and Cruelty-Free Products. Bewitched Esthetics is more popular for its name, lash work and for its CBD facials. I am now also a Lash Instructor and teach my own lash courses.
There are times where running a business no matter how small, can be mentally exhausting, but I tell myself to keep pushing. As a first-generation Latina, the support in the family was very minimal. No one really believed in me and didn’t show much support through my journey. They didn’t understand anything about the Beauty industry and therefore didn’t see the potential it can bring. I am now the first business person in the family and I am damn proud of myself.
I believe anyone can do anything they set their mind to as long as they believe in themselves and stay in a positive mindset. This has been a wild roller-coaster but it is only the beginning.
Has it been a smooth road?
Having and operating a business can be difficult at times. From growing clientele and keeping up with new trends and marketing side of it.
It has defiantly been difficult but also fun!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Bewitched Esthetics started with only offering Lash Extensions but now offer Lash Lifts, Brow Tinting, Teeth Whitening, Hair Removal, Skincare Treatments, CBD Facials Henna Brows. All while using Vegan and Cruelty-Free Products. Bewitched Esthetics is more popular for its name, lash work and for its CBD facials. I am now also a Lash Instructor and teach my own lash courses.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Huntington Beach is an amazing city to start off in. There so are many potential clients that can help your business grow.
Pricing:
- Magical Glow Facial $95
- Volume Full Set $160
- CBD Pumpkin Enzyme Facial $95
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bwesthetics.com
- Phone: 714-759-4397
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @Bewitched.esthetics
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