Meet Yanita Esqao of Gossip Girls Beauty Coworking

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yanita Esqao.

Hi Yanita, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m a hairstylist, and I’ve been working in this industry for 10 years. Over that time, I’ve noticed that stylists like me all share the same struggle. We’re freelancers who grow ourselves and our brands on our own. Salons can’t really give us as much work as we can find ourselves: if you build a strong portfolio and deliver great service, clients will come to you. But we don’t have a steady flow of clients, so we’re always looking for new ones, and for that, we need to keep creating content for our portfolios.

That’s why finding a space is such a huge pain point for stylists like me. You’re always looking for a place, but you don’t use it every day. You only need it a few times a month for individual clients, small bookings, or creative shoots. Renting a photo studio is quite expensive, especially considering all the other costs we already have per client.

So I came up with the idea of a Beauty coworking space for artists, where they can rent a station by the hour or by the week, or choose an hourly membership or an unlimited monthly membership. Artists don’t have to commit to my space alone or pay every single month. They can mix and match based on their schedule, because as freelancers, our workload changes from month to month.

I created a space where people can build their own brand and business without depending on salons, while still having a place to bring their clients, with no contract tying them to my studio. This gives artists the freedom to take on-location bookings, earn their own income, and not stress about paying monthly for a chair they don’t have time to use.

That’s the concept behind Gossip Girls Beauty Coworking. The name was inspired by the TV series Gossip Girl. I’m a huge fan of the show, and fashion and gossip are the two things closest to our industry: we create beauty, we hear so many different stories, and we’re masters at pretending we didn’t hear them.

It’s a creative space where every artist can build their own business, stay connected to the beauty community, stay free from long-term commitments, and create a beautiful portfolio.

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?
Of course, it’s been a very challenging road. You have to be a businesswoman, a mom, a hairstylist, a creative social media manager and content creator, and a photographer and videographer, all at the same time. On top of that, you need to find time to get inspired and keep everything organized. And when your schedule is packed with clients, you also have to be client-focused and able to handle stress, especially when working with brides and weddings. It’s very hard to keep up with everything and stay in control of every process, but it’s possible when you truly love what you do and you’re passionate about your dream.

As you know, we’re big fans of Gossip Girls Beauty Coworking. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Gossip Girls Beauty Coworking is a beauty coworking space in North Hollywood, created by stylists for stylists, makeup artists, and other beauty professionals. We give freelance artists a professional, beautiful place to work, without the long-term commitments of a traditional salon.

Artists can rent a station by the hour or by the week, or choose an hourly or unlimited monthly membership. There are no contracts and no obligation to pay every month, so artists can mix and match based on their schedule, because as freelancers, our workload changes from month to month. With a plan, the hourly rate drops from $15 to $11 or less.

Our 1,500 sq ft studio has individually equipped workstations, professional lighting, free Wi-Fi, a waiting area, and a coffee and snack bar. We offer free parking, no stairs, 24/7 access, and supplies provided, and we accept all payment methods. The space is also equipped for trainings and masterclasses, and it’s available for private events and photoshoots. Booking is simple and fully online at gossipgirls.net.

What sets us apart is freedom. Artists can build their own brand and business, bring their own clients, take on-location bookings, and never stress about paying for a chair they don’t have time to use. At the same time, they’re never on their own: we’re building a real beauty community, with networking, inspiring news, studio events, and a space to showcase the work of the artists who create here.

What I’m most proud of is that this concept was born from my own experience. I’ve been a hairstylist for 10 years, and I created the space I always wished I had. I want your readers to know that Gossip Girls is more than a place to work. It’s a creative home where every artist can grow their business, stay connected to the beauty community, and create a beautiful portfolio.

What matters most to you? Why?
To me, this space fully reflects who I am on the inside. The studio also has a small café area for working on a laptop, so between clients, artists can sit down, have a coffee, flip through books and magazines for inspiration, or open their laptop to message clients and edit their videos. I’ve combined several concepts into one: it’s something between a beauty salon, a coworking space, a café, and a photo studio. Here, you can create everything you need to build your entire business, without wasting time, or money, running between different locations.

Pricing:

• Hourly station rental: $15/hour
• Full Day $120
• 30-Hour Membership $330
• 50-Hour Membership $550
• Monthly Membership $699

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gossipgirls.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gossipgirls.beautycoworking
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61595507459696

Image Credits
Gregory Grigoryan