Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Ochoa.
Hi Ana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a survivor of human trafficking. For years, I struggled with PTSD and anxiety, especially in enclosed work environments. No matter where I tried to work, the trauma would resurface, and I couldn’t keep a job.
My turning point came through one of my children. I have three kids, and when my middle was just one year old, he asked me to paint his face at his birthday party. I did my best with what I had, and to my surprise, the venue where we held the party hired me to face painting for couple of events.
At that time, I didn’t know anything about face painting. I bought craft paints from Michaels and Hobby Lobby, just trying to make it work. Sadly, the next day, my son had an allergic reaction—the paint left burn-like marks on his face. I felt terrible. But I had already committed to the next party, so I started researching what went wrong. That’s when I discovered that face painting is not just a craft—it’s a profession that requires proper training, high-quality products, and knowledge about skin safety.
Determined to do it right, I enrolled in the International Face Painting School in 2015. I learned not only how to use the correct materials but how to face paint professionally and responsibly. From that moment on, I’ve continued growing, training, and pouring my heart into this work.
Face painting, balloon animals, and performing shows have given me a new purpose—and not only that, they’ve provided a stable source of income for my family. Today, I lead a team of seven talented professional artists under our LLC. We’ve been honored four times as the best in the city and hold the highest reviews on Google and I open a small professional face painting store and studio..
More importantly, this business has become a way to support others. Several of the artists I work with have disabilities or personal challenges and, like me, dedicate themselves full-time to children’s entertainment. We don’t see this as just a hobby—it’s our career, our ministry, and a way to bring joy and healing to others, just like it brought healing to me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all. Like many small businesses in the entertainment industry, we’ve had our share of challenges. One of the biggest struggles is the seasonal nature of our work. During the summer, bookings drop drastically due to the heat—even though we use sweat- and water-resistant paints. Because of this, we’ve learned to save carefully during the busy seasons in order to survive the slow ones.
Another ongoing challenge is the growing number of people who offer face painting as a quick way to earn extra cash—without any proper training, knowledge or a liability insurances . Many of them use craft paints, which can be harmful to children’s skin. On social media, they promote extremely low prices, and understandably, families who are unaware of the safety risks will often go with the cheapest option. Unfortunately, that puts professional face painters like us at a disadvantage, even though we’ve invested in quality materials, continuous education, insurance and years of experience.
We also face difficulties with event organizers who ask us to pay for a vendor spot and then expect us to charge the public—despite the fact that face painting is often seen as a free activity. For many years, face painting has been a complimentary service at hundreds of family events because someone—usually a company—has paid us to offer that joy to the community. But many people don’t realize that this is our full-time job, not a hobby, we do pay taxes! They ask us to donate our services, forgetting that this is how we support our families, pay rent, and cover our utilities.
Sometimes we’re told, “This is a great opportunity for exposure,” but the truth is, offering free services at large events rarely results in paying clients. On top of that, we’ve even experienced painful comments—people scoffing at our menu prices, saying things like, “I’m not paying $10 for that, I’ll do it at home with my own makeup.” Those words can be discouraging, especially when we’ve put so much heart and professionalism into our work.
And yet, despite all of that—the highs and the lows—the best part of our job is still the same: seeing a child’s smile when they look in the mirror. Sometimes they even give us a big hug, filled with joy for becoming their favorite superhero, animal, or magical creature. That moment makes everything worth it. Even when we’ve felt overlooked or dismissed, those smiles remind us why we keep going.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Beyond the business…
In addition to running my face painting company, I’m deeply involved in community outreach. I volunteer regularly at the local food bank and participate in multiple outreach programs through my church, Community Bible Church.
One of the initiatives closest to my heart is a trauma support program for children. While their parents attend the well-known Trauma Reboot course, we offer a safe, healing environment for their kids—using creativity, play, and love to help them feel seen and valued.
I also host a radio program every Monday at 11:30 a.m. on La Nuestra 92.5 FM, dedicated to empowering women through the Word of God. As part of my ministry “From Victim to Victorious”, I’ve created a series of radio programs that align with the themes of our in-person workshops held every two months. These workshops offer biblical teachings to help women recognize the victim mindset, find healing, and walk victoriously in Christ. The radio show prepares and strengthens them spiritually between sessions, so the message goes beyond a single event and becomes a journey of transformation.
Because of my experience with trauma and my passion for protecting children, I’ve also undergone special training in child safety. I take this responsibility seriously, which is why the artists I work with in my company are carefully selected. Every team member has a clean background, many come recommended by their churches, and some have official letters of reference. Most importantly, they share Christian values and a deep respect for the children and families we serve.
When it comes to kids, I believe who we allow near them matters deeply. That’s why everything we do—from entertainment to ministry—is rooted in integrity, safety, and love.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Absolutely. First, I truly believe that building strong, genuine connections starts with serving others. Volunteering at my church and in the community has opened so many doors—not just for networking, but for forming meaningful relationships with people who share my values and want to grow together. I also believe in the power of prayer—asking God to connect me with mentors who not only have experience, but who also carry wisdom, integrity, and compassion.
But beyond the spiritual side, I’ve also learned how important it is to invest in real education and professional training—especially in the face painting industry. Many people think that watching YouTube or social media videos is enough to learn, but I always encourage aspiring artists to take formal classes. It makes a huge difference.
I personally recommend the International Face Painting School—it gave me the foundation I needed to turn my art into a professional business. For those who are local, we also offer in-person training through Face Painting San Antonio LlC studio. We are always open and excited to teach others who want to grow and take this career seriously.
Whether it’s faith, business, or art—my advice is the same: invest in people, invest in learning, and stay humble. The right mentors and the right training can completely change your path.
Pricing:
- $75-$150 per hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://facepaintingsanantonio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/face_painting_san_antonio?igsh=MXcwaG04MDA1M2cw&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1A5476pRL3/?mibextid=wwXIfr
