Today we’d like to introduce you to Kary Aleman.
Hi Kary; so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m from Ciudad Acuña Mexico. I moved to San Antonio about 10 years ago. When I came here, I was only visiting my sister, and it was just for a weekend, so I had traveled here from my hometown on a bus and had about $50 dlls with me. I loved the city and decided to stay without any idea of how I would survive. I used to save the receipts from heb because, on the back of those receipts, there were coupons from Burger King it was buying one burger and get one free it was the best thing because I would buy one and save the second one for the next day when I knew I wasn’t going to have any money to get food. After 6 months, I got a job with an immigration attorney, where I worked for several years, but I always wanted to do something more and something mine! I enrolled in an esthetician school in Austin, and I had already saved some money and had a credit card, so I moved and started school at Aveda. Then I quickly realized exactly what I wanted to do since my classmates were showing up with terrible lash extensions, and we would all discuss how bad the industry was. So, of course, me being really curious, I started looking up places where they would offer good quality work. I couldn’t believe lashes were terrible, and I often questioned how actresses always had the most stunning lashes. So I found my true love, and it was Volume lash extensions, I found a lash course in Austin, so I enrolled, and it was the best thing I could’ve done! I worked for a lash salon for a year; then, I knew how hard I worked, took a leap of faith, and moved back to San Antonio, where I started working from home! After a horrible breakup, I found myself homeless and with barely a few clients. I was sleeping at friends couches and also with my sister and stayed on her couch in her 1 bedroom duplex with her 3 kids while applying for a salon suite. I was able to lease the room for my business, and the few clients I had helped me spread the word and get more clients! My little business took off from having 5 clients weekly to 25 within months! I moved to a bigger space, kept getting more experience, and took more training until I could become a trainer! I’m now in a much bigger space downtown San Antonio, and it’s my absolute dream! I now have a baby boy. I’m a single mom who had nothing, and today, I’m able to provide a good life for my son and me and help other lash artists that want to be financially secure while doing what they love.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It has been a roller coaster because I had no idea how to run a business, then I got pregnant right before the pandemic, and everything I had worked for seemed lost. I wasn’t sure how I was going to provide for my son. It wasn’t just me now; I couldn’t let myself be homeless again. There were many times when I found myself very depressed and lonely because everything depended on me. But I just had to keep going; I had to keep trying.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Im a lash artist/educator, and I love helping women feel confident. I’m proud to say I’ve taken the steps, put in the work and have the experience to bring the best service in a beautiful atmosphere where women feel safe and heard. What sets me apart from others is how reliable my work is. My clients and students know their investment is worth it, my clients feel secure and confident to go on with their daily tasks feeling and looking their best and my students are able to grow their expertise and provide good quality service. Being able to help empower women is the most rewarding experience.
What do you think about happiness?
Knowing exactly where I’m going and who I am as a mom, friend, daughter, and business owner makes me immensely happy. I love what I do and how I do it, how I learn from my mistakes, how I can see myself in the mirror and see how resilient I am and be proud that I didn’t give up. Happiness is to look at my son and see how happy and peaceful his life is. Happiness is not the destination but the journey.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Radlash_210
