We recently connected with Zulmarie Gonzalez Rivera and have shared our conversation below.
Zulmarie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
Being Puerto Rican and living most of my life in places where Latinos were not the majority, I’ve found leaning into my culture has played to my advantage. People can tell when you are being authentic and genuine, and they appreciate it. I am very proud of my culture, I love Spanish music, I love that I am bilingual, I love my naturally curly hair. Being the one that stands out and embracing it, I think, exudes a confidence that pulls people in. And if I find myself in a room where those things aren’t celebrated or just not welcome, I immediately remove myself. To put it simply, surround yourself with people who lift you up regardless of what the differences are, and it will always be mutually beneficial.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a full cosmetologist of 15 years. Currently, my main focus is on location special occasion makeup and hairstyling. I absolutely love what I do. Helping people feel like their best selves while also getting to express myself creatively has been so much more rewarding than I could’ve envisioned.
I think what’s really exciting about what I do and my industry as a whole is how diverse it is. There are artists from all walks of life finding new ways to reinvent this industry constantly. You can work in a traditional salon or be a globetrotting educator. You can create your own product brand or work backstage at fashion shows. I never thought I would travel with my clients when I enrolled in cosmetology school. Because this is such a creative industry, the possibilities are limitless. It’s really exciting to be a part of a community that is constantly evolving.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Technical skill is obviously important, but a less talented artist with a positive attitude will always be more successful than a super talented artist who treats others poorly. I have a background in luxury hospitality, and I feel like that has given me the ability to relate to varying personalities and be a better listener. I think the most important qualities to keep are being open minded, kind, and respectful.
It can sometimes be difficult to maintain those values while simultaneously holding firm to your boundaries. When you’re just learning to maneuver new challenges within your business, I think it’s super important to just remain open and never close the door to any educational opportunities. Education is everywhere. I learn daily from experiences with my clients, artists more AND less experienced than me. Education can be in a classroom or an online program you purchase, but I have found the most valuable lessons have come from clients and peers.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Working for yourself is tricky. In a traditional work environment, you have colleagues you see regularly, you often have someone holding you accountable, systems are often set in place to provide guidance. None of that exists when you’re a solopreneur. Everything is 100% dependent on just you. It can be isolating, overwhelming and very difficult to stay motivated, inspired and productive. I’ve recently started to be more open with friends and other small business owners about this part of the experience, and it’s helped to know that others are experiencing the same things. For myself, I think the most important thing to defeat is the isolation. As long as I am exposing myself to like-minded people, the other things seem to solve themselves. There is no replacement for sharing ideas and breaking bread with an uplifting community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.CurlWinkBlush.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curlwinkblush/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curlwinkblush/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zulmarie-gonzalez-66107495
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/CurlWinkBlush/
Image Credits
Clare Sanborn Photography Angelita Esparar Breaking Tradition Rhonda Bradham Photography Ivey Pictures Kaleidoscope Portraits
