Life and Work with Natalie Portillo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Portillo.

Natalie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I was in high school, I decided to attend Jted Cosmetology School which was an integrated program for high schoolers. At that point, my intentions with the beauty industry were to have a secure job that was flexible so I could pursue a college education. I dabbled a little bit into the hair world but decided it really wasn’t for me. I spent a lot of my time working at a bank and going to school. After four years of being in the banking industry, I hit a point where I was honestly miserable. I was in a not so healthy relationship I guess you could say and very unhappy with myself and the direction I was heading.

During this time, I was in a very uncomfortable place struggling with depression and self-doubt and insecurities. I decided to seek counseling and see a psychiatrist and it was probably the best decision I could have ever done I remember sitting in my appointment with my psychiatrist going over new prescriptions to see if anything would help with my depression. I was telling her how much I disliked my job and that I would cry every single day.

At that point, I remember her looking over at me and noticing my eyelash extensions and her just smiling at me and saying why don’t you do lash extensions. I seriously went home immediately after that appointment and ordered over $1,000 in supplies (I had a bad shopping problem at the time, lol) that same night, I had created my business Instagram and started posting that I was taking clients. I felt really bad and impulsive but it felt like something I had to do. I honestly had no idea whatsoever on how to apply for eyelash extensions but I drained the internet of information and put it together and from that moment on I’ve never looked back. All within a year, I moved to Phoenix, AZ from Tucson, AZ was working three jobs, attending Grand Canyon University and still trying to build my clientele from the bottom up. And now, I have my own business doing lash extensions full time with handfuls of beautiful clients & friends. I can truthfully say lashing changed my life. I’ve never been happier!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The hardest part for me was trying to heal myself and still be able to stay positive and feel okay. And at the very beginning, I felt like I canceled a lot of clients, luckily, some of those are still my clients. I had to apologize to several people when I had off days. It was hard for me to stay focused but honestly, my clients were the very ones who helped really heal me and truly better myself. Aside from that you really learn how to deal with different personalities and learn to find ways to connect with people even if they’re not your type of person. You have to stay open-minded and realize that every single person has something different to bring to the table.

Please tell us about Primed & Pretty.
Eyelash Extensions, Eyelash Extensions, Eyelash Extensions. Have you had them?! Because if you haven’t, you should really try them! They will change you for the better, lol.

As a service provider, I feel so much joy in making people feel beautiful. Most of my clients say I’m a therapist as well, LOL.

But what really makes my job so incredible is that everyone has a story so if I am able to listen and relate with people while I make them beautiful in their 2-hour appointment that’s a win for me.

Who have you been inspired by?
My mother and sister have been my biggest inspirations. Being a first generation American is cool and all but growing up it was tough. My mom had to obviously work extra hard to become established. And I thank her so much because she made it work and she has been such a great influence on so many people. She is a successful business owner and has overcome some major obstacles to get where she is today especially since she came into the United States with nothing in hand. Same goes for my sister her dedication and hard work blows my mind. They are constantly pushing themselves to achieve newer heights and that really rubs off on me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vagaro.com/Primedandpretty
• Phone: 6025982350
• Email: primedandprettylashes@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/Primedandprettyaz

Image Credit:
Models: Jenny Martinez & Kianna Anaya

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