Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yelimar Rodriguez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Yelimar , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Calling myself a business owner feels weird cause I feel I’m not, but the answer is yes, I’m much happier now than when I was working retail. Not that retail was a horrible job, but it always felt like I was stuck. If you’ve ever worked retail, you know what I mean – it pays the bills, but it feels like you’re going nowhere.

I met people who inspire me to do more than just work a regular job; to work for myself and invest in myself. That’s when I decided I was never going back to retail. It’s not that running my own business is easy – it’s still work. But there’s a big difference. Waking up early to do a wedding feels good, and I’m genuinely happy to do it, unlike dragging myself out of bed at 6 AM for a store shift.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi everyone! My name is Yelimar Rodriguez, but you can call me Yeli. I was born and raised in beautiful Puerto Rico. Growing up, my hair was always a big part of who I am. Like many of us, I remember my mom doing my hair every morning – though I have to admit, she wasn’t the best at it. Sorry, Mom! This led me to learn how to style my own hair when I was young.

After high school, I went to college to study economics. However, I quickly realized that college wasn’t for me. I wanted a career in beauty, so I enrolled in cosmetology school. I gained experience working in hair salons and makeup stores before moving to Austin five years ago.

When I moved to Austin, I started working a retail job. During my time in retail, two big things happened. First, I met Izamar Lopez, a coworker who became a good friend. Watching her build her business inspired me to revisit my passion. Second, I decided to take a makeup class to improve my skills, and that’s when I met Lizbeth Mejorado – an amazing artist, teacher, and business owner. a true boss. I later started working for her, and she became my mentor. Initially, my plan was to become a makeup artist, but it seemed like the universe had other plans for me, constantly nudging me back to hairstyling.

This journey allowed me to discover a new life and a new version of myself, capable of more than I ever imagined. If my 18-year-old, shy, introverted self could see me now, she wouldn’t believe the things we’ve overcome. I’ve met incredible people and empowered businesswomen who continue to inspire me every day.

I offer hair and makeup services however I specialize in bridal hairstyling for weddings, special events, and photoshoots. My signature styles include Hollywood waves, modern textured low buns, and timeless half-up styles. I like to call my style “effortlessly glam.” My ultimate goal is to provide a fun, relaxing experience while creating your dream hair. I want you to feel your most beautiful and confident on your special day, with a hairstyle that’s long-lasting and uniquely you.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that you have to follow a traditional path to success – going to college, getting a degree, and landing a secure job with benefits. I didn’t come from a family with their own businesses, so this was the standard I grew up with. I was taught that a steady paycheck from a regular job was the safest and most reliable route.

It took a lot of effort for me to let go of this mindset. The transition from believing that a secure job was the ultimate goal to trusting in my own ability to build something for myself was challenging. I had to learn to trust that I could create my own path and find success on my own terms. It’s an ongoing process of changing this belief and reinforcing my confidence in my ability to achieve my goals.

This shift has been crucial in helping me embrace my career in beauty and realize that I’m capable of more than I once thought. It’s about trusting myself and my journey, and that’s something I continue to work on every day.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that you have to follow a traditional path to success – going to college, getting a degree, and landing a secure job with benefits. I didn’t come from a family with their own businesses, so this was the standard I grew up with. I was taught that a steady paycheck from a regular job was the safest and most reliable route.

It took a lot of effort for me to let go of this mindset. The transition from believing that a secure job was the ultimate goal to trusting in my own ability to build something for myself was challenging. I had to learn to trust that I could create my own path and find success on my own terms. It’s an ongoing process of changing this belief and reinforcing my confidence in my ability to achieve my goals.

This shift has been crucial in helping me embrace my career in beauty and realize that I’m capable of more than I once thought. It’s about trusting myself and my journey, and that’s something I continue to work on every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yelirodriguez.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylesbyyelimar
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yelimar.rodriguezdiaz
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeli-rodriguez-57a28415a/

Image Credits

Kevin Michael 7ograpgy
Two Fish wedding photography
Lupita Tejada Photography
Rebels Paul Photography