ROOKIE2ROOKIE : Where do I start? Part 1

In the past couple of days i have been receiving questions via social media about my path so far, 

my career and how i have managed to get things done. 

In this section called "ROOKIE2ROOKIE" i want to touch base on the questions you have about anything and everything. It is called rookie to rookie because sharing with you my thoughts and journey doesn't make me an expert, however in the road to discovery i will be glad to help someone along the way. 

I got the opportunity to be part of a panel with PBA and BEACON  during NAHA and beauty week last week, it was amazing! I got to meet incredible beauty people and students on the road to success. It was very inspiring and since then as most of you promised...my email has been flooding with love mail but, also tons of questions about my career.

I've split up the content in two parts so I can answer the questions as I go along. 

Starting with the first question i get a lot...

"How do i get to do what you are doing? How did you get there?" 

I believe rather than wondering how to walk in someone else's shoes you REALLY need to ask

What is my passion? and  WHERE do i start?

It often hear i want to be LIKE so and so.... or i would like to OWN a salon like THIS ONE. 

if you think about it, that i a lot of pressure on yourself because you are building a path based on someone else's life not your own. 

You can put a lot of pressure on yourself because your path MAY NOT necessarily unfold like the person next to you. 

There is a lot of beauty in finding passion for what you believe in and making your path as you walk along.You might think you want to be an educator but your passion is photo styling..then maybe education isn't your main focus and its okay , pursue what makes your heart sing. 

The best way to start is to plan for short term goals and really great ones so you can work on attaining those first, this is the best way to find out what you are passionate about. I first thought all i wanted was to have my own salon, but the minute i explored taking clases, working for someone that teaches me etc my mind set changed. I wouldn't have known if i didn't put myself in a situation of exploring and learning.

Paul Mitchell School  student Hair Show 2011

WHERE DO I START? 

 lets start from the beginning. Start where you are right now.   if you are still in school: SHOW UP, BE PRESENT, GO THE EXTRA MILE and TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. 

 The moment you start school your career starts, you start building your brand and letting people know what you are about. 

I personally always did that extra activity, extra time, stayed late, took that really challenging color correction.. all the things other people didn't want to do. That built my brand as a student. 

It all starts where you are, the path might seem blurry and the road a little tricky but when you focus on the task at hand and do it right, it will take you to better places in the future. Don't take your school time for granted. Enjoy the place where you are because it is shaping you to become great at your craft. 

Hope this helps answer some questions and helps give you some relief if you are in this cosmo school frenzy every over achieving hair dresser sure goes through. 

We are all walking this path, might as well walk together and keep each other inspired. 

FOR MORE QUESTIONS LEAVE A COMMENT OF REACH ME VIA CONTACT ME PAGE 

BEHIND THE SCENES: COLLABORATE

Many artists i have come across specially NEW artist have me in shock when they say " I don't collaborate, i can only do it if there is compensation" whoa!
This is always a shock to me because i believe that to be able to charge and gain credibility as a charging artist you need:

Credentials (schooling,certification), Expertise (years or experience in the field), Hefty Resume/Portfolio 

If you have one or neither of this and feel weird about collaboration please keep reading. 

Hair prep!

If you are interested in the paying gigs you must know that people willing to pay you want to see how amazing you are, the things you have worked on and how much your work is worth.

For a lot of us the challenge right out of school or beginning in the creative field is that we are all qualified, we went to school, we can do the job but we don't have anything to show for it,
by that i mean the expertise , the resume and the portfolio.

on set playing with AVEDA CONTROL FORCE hairspray and lighting.

The easiest and best way to build your brand is believe it or not COLLABORATING.
My boss ALLEN RUIZ always says "What we do at work fills our pockets, what we do outside of work fills our hearts" It is SO true. Not only do you do what you love and have full creative freedom when you collaborate in projects but you also you get to network and build your brand as an individual creative.

The importance of being qualified is just as equal as to be experienced, the experience you will get on sets you can't really measure in money.  Me for example working with my friend Cyler we both work late nights at the salon followed by an early morning after that we collaborate with Photographers. Yes it is our weekend and yes we would rather be having a margarita, but truth is we love what we do so much that being on a set on a late weekend night really fills our bucket.
Even though i don't get paid i can tell you i have met some incredible models (for future projects) I've strengthen my skills and i get to create beautiful images for my portfolio.

me and cyber doing our thangggg

It is very true that your brand will be built based on the people you work with, so choose who you want to collaborate with, if your collaboration won't grow you or showcase your work at your standard its okay to say no, however always keep in mind you want to leave a window open instead of shutting the door ,tearing the castle down and burn the bridge.

Be polite, be kind and be TRUE with you art.
But most of all BE HUMBLE , people don't want to work with a "know it all" or a "been there done that" type of person.
Find people that speak your creative language, that are willing to put in the work you are putting in, have similar creative eyes and people you just really enjoy working with. I promise it won't feel like work and it will expand your portfolio and skills.

I am always open for collaborations so please contact me with any inquiries or questions in CONTACT page

also THANKS TO:
Kristyn Miller for the great studio experience
+
Cyler Daigle for being  super to collaborate with and great Makeup artist

follow them on instagram for more photos and inspiration!

Beauty Rookie : Action Packed

I have decided to make a transition on the content i publish due to the lack of resources where i can network with people that are basically into the same stuff i am. 

I have opened up a space that is welcoming of all people on the rise to doing great things, dreamers of all kinds , doers and thinkers and creatives from all sorts. 

My main focus and expertise is beauty hence the blog title, however i feel that rookies all around play a big part in each others growth and progress. 

There is no such thing as success if it is not shared. We are all responsible for cheering on each other and keeping that creative vibe flowing. I have come to realize there is no accomplishment that can be done without the support of the people you surround yourself with. 

This past week i was able to be a part of the University of Texas at Austin Fashion seniors look book. It was an amazing experience that allowed me to realize that fashion is a collaborative effort and specially for up and coming artists in this case "fashion rookies" and "beauty rookies" uniting to create great work and images. 

isn't this what we live for as creatives? 

Here's a few pics of the day. I will try and interview some of the designers so we can get an insight of the nervousness, passion and fuel it takes to be a true creative rookie in the real world. 

Story boards are the base of EVERYTHING.

Me doing a Braided Top Knot. Status: feeling myself

water, coffee and a lot of tools! 

team work. 

Thoughts? 

Welcome to the Rookie world!

Blog Feature : Who is beauty queen online?

i have had the opportunity to collaborate with Mimi from Faux Dep Gai fashion blog 

this girl is such a creative person and so much fun to be around.

She created this video for me.

I welcome you all in 5 minutes of my life in the full quirk of my home, some say i may be living in a doll house.It is the closest thing to my perfect and happiest place.

enjoy!

More from this collaboration coming soon with tons of tutorials and fun easy steps to FAB hair!