Today we’d like to introduce you to Gaby Raguso.
Gaby, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started my journey in the makeup world in high school when I didn’t make the school play. Spoiler Alert: I never made any of the school plays after that either. I wanted to be around the theater world and the energy of it drew me in even though I couldn’t participate on stage. So, I decided to join the makeup crew. Right away, I knew I was good at this and enjoyed it enough to do again each year until I became a Head of the makeup crew my senior year. At this point, I decided to attend esthetics school after high school graduation and wanted to learn all I could about the anatomy of people’s skin and use that as a foundation for a career in beauty and cosmetics. I completed esthetics school and got my license in the summer of 2007. After that, I took some classes in makeup to decide if that was the direction I wanted to continue… it was! I loved every assignment and became obsessed with makeup more than ever before. I began what started as a job and quickly became a career in the cosmetics department at Nordstrom when I was 19 and worked with a few brands before landing at my home; Bobbi Brown. It felt like a great fit and I worked with that brand for about 6 years.
On the side, I curated an extensive kit which I knew I needed to have before embarking on my side gigs. I met amazing women both as colleagues and customers and built up a nice little network for myself. In the summer of 2015, I left Nordstrom and Bobbi Brown to take a leap of faith and start at my roommate’s new Salon in River North, GLAMD. I decided to give it a full year before making any decisions to leave. Second Spoiler Alert: I never had to leave, the business grew and grew and I have been SO honored to grow my network and develop and hone new skills at GLAMD. When we first opened my roommate and boss, Brittani Sylvester, taught me how to do lash extensions and I also took makeup clients both in the salon and outside the salon for that first summer. Eventually, Brittani and I stumbled upon this “brow thing” we couldn’t figure it for the life of us. Eventually, we figured out it was microblading and Brittani offered a company to host a training in our salon in November of 2015. I gathered all my savings and paid for this class and I am beyond glad that I did. It was a perfect fit and the best next step for me. Now, I currently am the lead brow technician at GLAMD and I help manage the amazing team we’ve created. I look forward to the future in this industry and I hope to inspire other women to feel beautiful in their own skin and can not wait to see what’s in store!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I had many struggles, mostly financial, but that happens often in artistic careers. I learned to say yes to almost any job, no matter the pay. Then, slowly, I learned to be more selective about the jobs I accepted. In order to maintain a healthy work/life balance choosing jobs that fulfill you as well as pay, you need to be the focus. Saying no can be tough, but sometimes that is what you need to do.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with GLAMD – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My background is that I am an esthetician and makeup artist first and foremost. I always try to find a connection with every client I see, no matter how small the service is. Making connections and building relationships are the cornerstone of any job in the service industry. I do eyebrow waxing, lashes, makeup and Microblading at GLAMD and each of those services provides an intimate moment with that client. I ask questions, share stories and engage; that is what sets me apart in the beauty industry. It is simple and basic but makes a huge impact on someone who may start out as just a customer but soon returns because they are now a client or even a friend.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
I love podcasts! I listen to The Lady Gang, Hidden Brain, Stuff You Should Know and How I Built This. All of which I like for different reasons, but mostly, because it isn’t just watching another reality show, they are insightful and great conversation starters. I love books and I also read a ton of news articles daily. Anything to keep my mind moving and if I can learn something new along the way, that’s a huge bonus!
Contact Info:
- Address: GLAMD
351 W. Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60654 - Phone: 773-564-0401
- Email: appointments@bglamd.com
- Instagram: @makeupglamd_gaby
Image Credit:
Anthony Tahlier
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