Meet Vanessa Lopez

We recently connected with Vanessa Lopez and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Vanessa, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

Self- esteem was something that never came natural to me . Looking back at my teens years I didn’t think I was capable to aspire much. I would see my self as someone who couldn’t do anything right, who had a hard time conversating with people, and afraid to hear my own voice.

But, there was always something deep inside me that knew I had to confront life and keep moving forward. Coming from a family of immigrants I knew that if I wanted to make their sacrifices worth something I had to work hard and take whatever life throws at me and persevere.

That reason alone, pushed me to get my Bachelors in Business Administration in Entrepreneurship. Although I Achieved a great accomplishment that no one in my family has done, I still carried my insecurities and low self esteem with me . through out my life I’ve Always been a person who would shine from the pack I was an honor student my whole life, I got my career started after graduation had multiple promotions and achievements yet it didn’t matter how far I went I was still that High school girl who would think little of her achievements.

This question stood out to me so much because now in my late 20s I have finally found my Identity by accepting the strong capable woman who I have always been but I could never see.

This journey we call life has been the training wheels to develop my self esteem and confidence. Now running my small business sometimes those thoughts want to emerge but then I remember how far along I came compared to 10 years ago.

Teen Vanessa would be in awe. She no longer is afraid or stutters to speak, She is an intelligent Educated woman, She can talk to complete strangers with ease, She is an owner of a business and has built it up from the ground up, She is capable to aspire anything she sets her mind to!

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am A Licensed Esthetician who Specializes in Eyebrow enhancements, Lash Lifts and Facials. I started a small business in Palm Desert CA April 2023.

Before coming to this career I was working in the car rental industry for 7 years. I started as an intern there while in Cal State San Bernardino. During my time there I truly believe it was the professional bootcamp I needed before jump starting a business of my own. There it really forced me to get out of my shell completely and really where I felt I flourished in a professional manner. There I developed my work ethic, my ability to shine in customer service, to be able to communicate effectively ,build relationships and so much more.

During Covid I realized that I was growing stagnant in this industry and wanted a different challenge and to do something I would be passionate about. That is when I decided to step down as manager and go back to school to become and esthetician.

The reason why I wanted to become an esthetician is to help other people in a meaningful way. Most of my early 20s I suffered from acne and it was very hard to go through emotionally. after years of trying to figure it out on my own and nothing helped I came across an esthetician and its what changed my life. The same way it helped me I wanted to do the same for others.

Through out the journey I also discovered a passion for the art of brows. I’ve always been a creative soul and loved working with my hands and I see brows as a beautiful art piece that sits on our faces. Some might think brows are so meaningless, but I love the satisfaction I get helping someone who has struggled with their eyebrows for years and transforming their whole look instantly.

I’m proud that I have built a space for my clients where they are heard, cared, and seen.

I love that everyday I get to wakeup knowing I’m helping others feel empowered, confident, and beautiful in their own skin. Its truly what drives me to keep showing us as the best version of myself everyday.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

My Biggest qualities that have been the most impactful in my journey is:

1. Strong Work Ethic

Growing up My father has been a hard worker and I think I inherited that gene. I’ve always felt a deep responsibility to be the best and do everything at a high standard. This has really helped because people really do notice the importance I have put in my business. I have a high standard to be reliable with my quality of work and people have told me in person how much the appreciate it and is why they continue coming back.

Customer Service Driven Mentality.

Working in the Corporate world I learned how crucial it is to have an excellent experience for my clients. Now working on my own it can be easy to get lackadaisical with this area but it has been so engraved in be the first 7 years of my work experience. I always look for way to elevate the experience in my studio. I truly do believe my clients keep coming back because I do things that they have not experienced in other places with similar offerings.

Hunger for Education. I believe that education yourself and attending trainings are the fast pass to your career. I’ve been in the Esthetics industry for 3 years and I made sure to continue investing in my education even after esthetician school. I have been certified 6 times in the art of brows and skin and I don’t regret each investment. It has given me the ability I needed to Master my craft and also have the confidence to educate my clients. I’ve have seen my business flourish so much and I know education was a big factor to my success.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

The thought of all the million tasks that has to be done can be daunting and overwhelming. Not only is there the pressures of our personal lives but also the responsibility of managing and growing a small business. I wont lie that I haven’t felt overwhelmed on occasion but I have found ways to mange that feeling when it comes.

1. Talk to someone. Anytime I have felt so overwhelmed I always find clarity and guidance under the wisdom of 2 trusted people in my life my mother and husband. Sometimes they do have some great insight and perspective to give but there are times with me simply talking it out and them lending a listening ear I come up with my own resolutions. Talk to someone you have the ability to be open and you know they have the right intentions for you and wont be afraid to tell you something you don’t want to hear.

2. Practice Gratitude. When the emotions are overwhelming we sometimes hyperfocus on the one thing that went wrong or the situation not going the way we want it to that we forget all the things that we have accomplished. I take the time to break those negative thought pattern and think of all the things that have gone right and what I can do to learn from this experience. Nothing will be perfected and things will go wrong but its what will make use wiser and more resilient.

3.Know your Why. There have been times where I wanted to give up and think this journey is to difficult. But what keeps me going is knowing the reason that is beyond bigger than me. I know that there are people in my life depending on me to keep moving forward that is what gives me the strength to overcome those overwhelming emotions. Do you have your why defined?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nesstheticz.com/
• Instagram: @browsbyvanessa_palmdesert

Image Credits

Jose Corrales
Teressa Omote