Meet Esperanza Pope

We were lucky to catch up with Esperanza Pope recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Esperanza, 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?

I truly feel that the insecurities we possess is because we listen to other peoples projections of who they think we are. Once you realize that, it’s so easy to not let what others think of you change how you feel about yourself. Don’t let someone who doesn’t know who they are act like they know you more than you know you. I’ve had people try to talk down on me for not sticking with working in a salon because they think since I have my cosmetology license I’m ONLY a hairstylist but that’s not the case. I’m an artist who chose to go to cosmetology school and get licensed in my craft for sanitation and theory behind hair, skin and nails to open more opportunities for my career. I definitely learned more with techniques out in the world than I did school. I taught myself almost everything I know with the help of a few instructors through my life, but the real way I learned and gained confidence in my skill is by practicing and accepting that not everything will be perfect the first go. You have to allow yourself the freedom to fail in order to succeed, practice until you’re happy with it. Stay true to yourself and your brand, don’t focus on pleasing everyone because you won’t.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My brand focuses on embracing unique beauty. I can help you create the look you’re envisioning as long as it aligns with my artistry using my crochet, makeup and hair artist skills. With my personal style and even just how I look, I’ve been pushed out of the fashion and beauty industry my whole life, now I’m making room for myself whether they want it or not. There’s so many gaps that need to be filled and I see how I can do it. From inclusive sizing to designs I just haven’t seen yet. I’m currently working on a few collections that, when done, will showcase all of my skills. I recently finished a crochet dress part of my “goddesses” collection. Along with my larger projects I’ll be focusing on making crochet accessories like hair accessories or jewelry.

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?

Keeping up on your education is definitely important. Take classes, watch that random video of someone trying a new technique, even just experiment yourself if you want to know something. Its okay if it doesn’t work out, you don’t have to stick with it but not even trying is self sabotage. Once you find what you’re confident in, find your target market. Don’t try to make yourself fit into a market because that’s the one you’re stuck with. Create your own or find it whether it’s online or physically moving.

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

When I start to feel overwhelmed I take a look at everything I have going on and order them by the order I want to finish my projects. Honestly, just simply writing down my thoughts and train of thought helps me get less overwhelmed because I’m able to see them a decide what ones I want to focus on. I do end up scraping projects because they just don’t align anymore, and that’s okay. There’s no point in putting energy into something that no longer serves you.

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