How has the COVID-19 pandemic positively affected your career/business?

The COVID-19 pandemic was a career shock for many people across the globe. For myself and others in my industry, it was an eye-opener on the career we had chosen. We were impacted within the first month when all the businesses were forced to close down; however, as we reopened, our schedules were filled. Women wanted to come in to feel and look good again.

I realized that being an employee of a company there are no guarantees. Young men and women are looking for new careers now that can be more stable. Self-employment in the beauty industry has proven to be strong, and I have many inquiries from new students looking for job security in our industry.

Most importantly, this pandemic has helped me to realize that education in micro-pigmentation can greatly offer financial freedom, allowing women to become the best version of themselves. That was my goal when I chose to become a teacher and educator in this field. I wanted to empower women to create their own time and money, and to create a sense of centered empowerment; but, more than that, I wanted to make a difference in the world by creating positive change and impacts on the lives of others.

How do you maintain your own health/well-being?

I believe in living a kind life and choosing to be an inspiration in as many lives that I come across. I remind myself how grateful I am and that everyone is the same. Life is a series of lessons, and everything that happens to us has a reason and lesson for us to learn from, whether it be painful or happy. I try to embrace that thought always, especially when life gets challenging.

I also know being physical is very important—moving your body daily is showing self-love to your soul.

I love nature, hiking, the beach, daily walks, and yoga. I believe a limber body is a youthful body. Even if it’s a busy day for me and I only can listen to the birds singing in the morning, I’m happy.

What are your daily habits?

I’m a morning person. I get up at 5:00 am and I make a special lilikoi green tea. I sit outside on my balcony inhaling the morning air and my warm fragrant tea. It smells so good, and that’s my time to center myself and connect with God. I say my morning prayers, living in pure gratitude just being in the moment.

I then take a 30-minute walk around my neighborhood and spend 20 minutes doing some yoga stretches. Then off to work, where I do what I love most—connecting my career with the passion I have attached to it. Work is not working when you love it.

I love listening to audio books. It has changed my life, learning this way and listening to biographies. Plus, I can multitask at the same time.

What have been the most exciting things about this job/business/industry?

The impact of micro-pigmentation truly changes lives and helps to restore men’s and women’s confidence allowing everyone to feel and look their best. That is why it is so exciting to see patients and clients faces when we have fulfilled the reason for their visit to our clinic for micro-pigmentation services or classes from our academy. Listening to the stories of how we have helped make a positive impact on their lives is priceless.

Our worldwide continuing education classes and workshops also give us the opportunity to travel throughout the year and even revisit places we love like Europe, Las Vegas, and Orlando to name a few.

Did you always know you wanted to be in health and wellness, or is this something that happened over time?

Out of high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I knew that I liked people and I had a great sense of communication skills naturally. I became a certified dental assistant, worked in oral surgery and orthodontics, and that’s when I realized I really loved the healthcare industry. I then went on to become a licensed optician, medical assistant, and I also went to night school to become a cosmetologist.

Back in the early ‘90s, cosmetic tattooing was something that was hit or miss. There was really no true education on it, so a lot of women became damaged and injured from improper cosmetic tattooing. Nonetheless, it became my life passion and direction, and I strived to learn the proper way to do permanent cosmetics. This has led me on a 25-year lifetime journey of education and dedication to understanding the background, knowledge, and biochemistry science behind the proper way to implement professional micro-pigmentation and ensure that no damage is done to the client—providing a safe and clean environment for men and women. This instills self-confidence and moral well-being to create beauty and self-dignity.

Who is someone you look up to or model after? A mentor?

Oprah Winfrey is my inspiration and mentor. She has made the biggest impact on my life. These are two of my favorite quotes from her:

“Everybody has a calling. And your real job in life is to figure out as soon as possible what that is, who you were meant to be, and to begin to honor that in the best way possible for yourself.”

“I believe luck is preparation meeting opportunity. If you hadn’t been prepared when the opportunity came along, you wouldn’t have been lucky.”