Today we’d like to introduce you to Geri Perez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I didn’t always know I wanted to be in the makeup industry, but I do know that as a child I always loved to play with makeup and do makeovers on my friends whenever they would come over. As I got older makeup to me became a hobby and I always liked wearing it from a young age. In 2009 I started watching makeup tutorials on YouTube, back when YouTube makeup tutorials were just becoming popular. My passion then was just a hobby I perfected on myself in my downtime since I was studying to get my Bachelor’s degree at Columbia College Chicago. It wasn’t until the summer of 2011 when I applied for an internship in a different industry and ended up not getting it, that the first part of my future began to reveal itself. Since I didn’t get the internship, I started to invest my time in applying makeup on anyone I could. The cool part of going to an art school is you make a lot of connections with photographers, models, and actresses so I was able to build my portfolio. Once I graduated college in 2012, I found a part-time job in cosmetics, a job that was only supposed to be for the moment. Once again, the beauty of my journey presented itself and I ended up growing and getting promoted in the cosmetic industry rather quickly. Since then, I’ve held different management positions with some of the top makeup companies in the industry. I’ve been able to grow as a person in business and also make up from all the wonderful counters and people I have met over the years. I recently left MAC cosmetics for family reasons, but I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to have worked for the brand. Life continues to guide me to the path I am supposed to be on. I’m very excited to share that in August 2019 I opened up my own studio called Layla’s Blush Room. The studio offers makeup services for any and all special event makeup application and is located in Cicero, IL.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing earned is every smooth or obtained without challenges. But I love the challenges, every single one, even the sad ones when things don’t go as planned. That’s when you grow and appreciate everything you have overcome so you can be grateful for the present. In the past, I set out to pursue my brand as an independent artist full time. It wasn’t the right time, obstacles presented themselves and I wasn’t able to continue on the path. It made me sad but it wasn’t meant to be at the time. Forward threeyears later and I have a beautiful daughter who I am fortunate enough to be able to take care of full time. At the same time, I am able to pursue my makeup career now on the weekends. This time around I am unafraid, it feels different this time. I have someone else to look after and not just worry about myself. And it feels great.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about your work – what should we know?
I am the owner and makeup artist of Layla’s Blush Room as well as my personal brand Geri Perez Makeup. Based out of the Chicagoland area. I focus on bridal and special events makeup that makes my clients feel glam and beautiful but still remain natural and true to their natural beauty. I cater to more of a traditional makeup style referred to as soft glam. I apply makeup based on your current beauty without altering too much and instead I build on your features. I have my own makeup studio that solely focuses on makeup application for special occasion and is the first of its kind. I wanted to open up a studio locally in the surrounding suburbs where I grew up as opposed to opening in the oversaturated city market and provide professional high end services in the privacy of a cute and comfortable upscale studio. I still provide on location services as part of a separate service from the studio. It is part of the convenience I like to provide to my clients.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I am trained and educated in many different areas that contribute to the quality of a successful business owner who adequately provides beauty services to clients. I pride myself on my work ethic, which I get from my father who is his own successful business owner. When you are a makeup artist offering professional personal services to people, you must be able to deliver a high-quality application, proper hygienic standards, know how to apply to a variety of skin types, skin tones, ages, genders, races, and deliver a great customer service experience. My ambition to continue to educate myself, those who I’ve been fortunate enough to train with, and the exposure to different scenarios throughout my career makes me feel confident I can deliver an amazing experience to my clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laylasblushroom.com
- Email: info@laylasblushroom.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/laylasblushroom
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/laylasblushroom
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