Today we’d like to introduce you to Clarissa Saenz
Hi Clarissa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey started as someone who had tried community college and quickly realized that it wasn’t for me. I’ve always been into makeup, fashion, beauty, basically anything GLAM. I felt a calling to the beauty industry the most. I decided to take a tour at Paul Mitchell The School San Antonio and completely fell in love with the culture, the energy and knew I was in the right place. I decided I wanted to become a professional makeup artist. I graduated from the Esthetics program in 2014. I started my career as a freelance makeup artist getting to experience all different types of fun jobs. From a trade show with Paul Mitchell the school , San Antonio Fashion Week, local fashion shows, photo shoots and commercial shoots, bridal, and special events. To being able to showcase my work in a RAW Artist show. It was truly an exciting time for me being able to network and work along side such talented people in our industry.
Fast forward to 2016, I landed in a spa where the majority of clientele was lash extensions. I was offered training, and thought “why not?”. Lash Extensions were NEVER in my wildest dreams something I thought I’d make my career. It quickly became my new passion. Seeing clients on a daily basis, while making them feel their best, and still being able to be creative. I couldn’t ask for more! I was a lash artist for four years, when COVID happened. It was the worst and best possible thing to happen to me. Everything unfortunately shut down of course. When salons were able to reopen, I had lost almost all of my clientele I worked so hard to built over the last four years. In this moment, I knew something needed to change.
I decided to leave the salon I had been at the past four years, and open my own mini salon with little to no clientele. While that is almost NEVER recommended, especially at a time where businesses were closing, I knew I had to take a chance and bet on myself.
Boss Babe Beauté was born in 2020.
I quickly realized it’s time to hustle to rebuild my clientele again, create a brand, and a mission to get in touch with my creative side again. I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to connect with my clients every day, to be apart of something that makes them feel special and beautiful.
Since opening I’ve been able to take different trainings to expand my skill and knowledge for the lash industry. I hope to continue my journey as a lash artist/small business owner, and to inspire anyone to pursue their dreams. If it’s one thing I’ve learned through out this experience; it’s that you never know where you’ll end up, but just know you are always in the right place.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
While I am incredibly blessed to be where I am today, I would be lying if I said it was smooth sailing. Learning to navigate as a new business owner, to now having to take on different roles not just as a service provider, but a content creator, marketing, customer service, and manager is tough. Trying to build a clientele not once, but twice was pretty hard. When I first opened, there were so many times where I literally asked myself “wtf did I get myself into?”. Everything solely depends on you. It can be a lot of pressure sometimes. I think now a days we get so caught up in social media, comparison, and trying to be “aesthetically pleasing” that we forget we are only human. I have also struggled with imposter syndrome. I’ve learned you have to tune out these intrusive thoughts, focus on your growth, who you are as a person, your purpose, and why you are doing what you are doing.
I do believe in “there’s beauty in the struggle.” I would not be here today had I not gone through these moments. I think it’s made me a stronger woman. I can truly appreciate more of where I started and where I am now.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Esthetician specializing in Lash Extensions, Lash Lifts, and facial waxing. I’d say my most popular style would be wispy lashes. I love adding dimension and texture to my client’s sets. Each set is tailored to their face and eye shape. No set will look the same, which I think is really special. I am most proud of the relationships I’ve built over the years with my client’s. Some have been with me from the very beginning of my lash career, others for 5+ years. The trust and support that they have shown me has truly been what drives me. I’ve been blessed to be referred to their coworkers, family members, and besties. I believe that my consistency and customer service is what sets me apart. I strive to give my clients great lashes and retention at every appointment. Paying attention to detail, providing them with a space that they feel comfortable to be serviced and relax. I will always try my best to accommodate my clients with what ever they need. Being able to make my clients feel taken care of, beautiful, empowered, and confident is what is most important to me.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice for anyone starting out would be to stay true to yourself and your style. It’s hard not to follow what’s trending, but I believe that is the best way stand out while being your most authentic self. And the rest will follow. Always be open to learning new things, never stop trying to grow. You are the best investment you could make.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://boss-babe-beaute-tx.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bossbabebeautetx?igsh=eHM5M3BzY2loNXR2
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/foreverclariii?igsh=cWl3MzQwdnNubWRr&utm_source=qr
