Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruth Illera.
Hi Ruth, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am originally from Sevilla Spain. Makeup and hair were always a big passion for me growing up. As soon as I was allowed to wear it, I started experimenting and applying makeup on my friends. Upon graduating High School, I was attending an American University in Spain and also I enrolled in a makeup and hair course at a prestigious modeling school owned by former Miss Spain Raquel Revuelta. The creative director of such school, Pedro Gonzalez, a celebrity makeup artist and fashion mogul was my instructor. I got to learn first hand from one of the best in the industry and country. I did not pursue makeup as a career right away. During college I was a cheerleader for a professional basketball team, and all of the other cheerleaders loved how i did my makeup, so they would always ask me to come early to get them ready, so I was the unofficial makeup artist of the team! I moved to the United States, graduated college and became a teacher. In 2017, when I took a short break from working as a teacher, I decided to follow my dreams and began freelancing. I started from scratch. I had no idea how to promote myself or how to create a website. I spent months researching and working hard learning how to create my own website and building a clientele while also navigating instagram and social media. Very soon the great reviews started coming in as I freelanced for a few bridal companies in the city. In 2018 I decided to officially open Lily flower hair and makeup. That year I attended the Wedding MBA convention in Las Vegas and that is when my company took off. I started advertising in the Knot and Wedding wire. Since then, we have won Best Makeup artist award in San Antonio 2019, 2021 and 2025. We are part of the Knot’s Hall of fame for being voted best of weddings 5 years in a row, and clients just love our work and customer service. I work with an amazing team of stylists that are like family to me! We hope to continue serving the brides in San Antonio for many years to come!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Building a company from the ground up is not an easy task. For one, being the Owner and Creative Director, I have to wear many hats. People don’t often see what all goes behind the scenes. As a business owner I am in charge of building a website, writing a blog, promoting our page on social media and posting regularly, answering calls and all email communication with brides and clients as well as providing the services. Sending proposals and contracts, collecting payments, hiring stylists, creating schedules, payroll, etc etc. I think I have mastered most aspects, however surviving Covid 19 in 2020 was difficult. At the time we were renting space inside a hair salon, but when we were forced to shut down and weddings were being postponed and cancelled, that posed a very difficult financial strain for myself and my stylists. During that year I decided to go back to teaching because I had to find a way to provide for my family financially. 2021 came back strong and we saw an increased in weddings that year and 2022. I had to manage then being a full time teacher, manage my business and still work weekends while I also started my masters in leadership & administration. It was a very intense couple of years but in 2023 I graduated with my masters. Last year I decided to leave teaching for good to concentrate 100% on my business and this is where I know I belong.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My company specializes in bridal beauty hair and makeup. We serve brides who love a romantic, soft glam look. This is our signature look and the one that I love doing the most! We are known for doing makeup transformations on brides, while still preserving their natural beauty, only enhancing their most beautiful features. I love a good glowy skin, soft shimmery eyes with wispy lashes and nude lips.
Our personalized customer experience is one of the things that sets us apart. Our brides love feeling pampered with our in depth skin prep that is like a mini facial, that we do before each glam, and all the attention to detail. We listen to what they want and strive to provide the best results each time.
We also continue to foster a lasting relationship with each one of our brides, and we always say that our Lily Flower hair and makeup family grows with each wedding. It is very rewarding to be recommended by them and also to have them come back for maternity shoot glams or other events.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Taking risks is a fundamental part of being an entrepreneur, as it often involves stepping into the unknown to pursue new ideas, markets or innovations. When I decided to became a makeup artist, I encountered people who had their doubts about my ability to succeed in the field, and some where somewhat skeptical I somehow did not feel fear but jumped with my two feet forward, not looking back and giving it my all. It became my obsession, my drive, my all. While risk-taking can lead to uncertainty and potential failure, it also opens the door to significant rewards, such as financial gain, business growth and personal development. In my business, I have decided to embrace risks because this is what drives innovation and progress, turning my bold visions into a successful life. This year we are on our way to obtain a six figure income, but I mostly love the fact that by having my own business, I can dedicate more time to my son and also I can bless the lives of my stylists through giving them work. None of this would have been possible if I would have never decided to take the risk and try to start my own company. I will continue to take further risks in order to continue to grow!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lilyflowermakeup.com
- Instagram: @lilyflowerhairandmakeup
