We recently connected with Stevie Gonzales and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Stevie with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I get my work ethic from my family. Growing up in a large, working-class household, I always knew that hard work would be part of my story. My mother’s family immigrated from Mexico while my father’s family immigrated from Poland and Ukraine. My great-grandparents made the bold decision to move to Texas with their children in search of better opportunities—a chance at a different kind of life. I’m deeply grateful to them for that.
My mother was a single parent, so my sisters and I learned early on how essential hard work was—not just to get by, but to access better opportunities and improve our quality of life. As a kid, I saw how transformative a strong work ethic could be—not just for material things, but for freedom, choice, and peace of mind. That understanding became my biggest motivator. I knew I had to deliver, to work hard and create something more—for my family and for myself. And I’ve never minded the work. I like staying busy.
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 was born and raised in South Austin, Texas, and I’ve always had a deep love for my city and its vibrant community. I started working small jobs at just 14, gradually moving into more professional roles as I got older.
When the pandemic hit, I lost my corporate job and, like many, found myself in quarantine with time to reflect. That’s when I decided to take a leap into the beauty industry — something I’d always been passionate about. I was especially drawn to lash extensions and thought, Why not try my hand at this? That’s how LashedUpShawty was born.
Today, I specialize in customized lash extensions that enhance each client’s natural features. My brand is rooted in empowerment and community — because sometimes, something as simple as feeling beautiful can be transformational.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The qualities that have had the greatest impact on my journey and the growth of my business are integrity, adaptability, and confidence.
Integrity has been key to building lasting relationships—when you run your business with honesty and strong values, clients notice. It earns their respect and strengthens both your reputation and your brand.
Adaptability has been equally important. Every industry evolves, and staying open to new ideas, technologies, and strategies allows you to grow alongside your business rather than fall behind.
Finally, confidence is essential. There are moments when the only thing keeping you going is your belief in your vision, your dreams, and the future you’re working toward.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My family has been my greatest source of strength and support in building my business. My partner, my son, my sisters, and my community have stood by me every step of the way. No matter the challenges, they’ve always been there to help me through. I’m deeply grateful for their unwavering love and support.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lashedupshawty.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lashedupshawty_?igsh=MTloc2d1ZWdwYXdmOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
I’ll image credits belong to lashedupshawty
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