We were lucky to catch up with Kelsey Vaca recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kelsey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

One thing my parents did right was teaching me the value of hard work, independence, and treating people with kindness and respect. Growing up, they always encouraged me to believe in myself and go after what I wanted, even if it meant taking risks or working long hours to make it happen. They showed me that success doesn’t come overnight — it comes from consistency, dedication, and how you treat others along the way.

That mindset has had a huge impact on both my life and career. Today, I own my own permanent makeup business, and I truly believe the work ethic and determination they instilled in me are a big reason why I’ve been able to build something I’m proud of. Running a business requires patience, discipline, and resilience, and there have definitely been moments where I’ve had to push through challenges and trust myself.

One thing that stands out to me is how my parents always supported my creativity and encouraged me to pursue something I was passionate about instead of settling for something that didn’t fulfill me. Because of that, I was able to turn my passion for beauty and helping people feel confident into a career. Every time I help a client regain confidence through permanent makeup, especially clients who may have had previous bad experiences or insecurities, I think about how much my parents influenced the confidence and compassion I carry into my work.

Their example taught me that success is not just about making a living — it’s about creating something meaningful, helping people, and building a life you’re proud of.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Kelsey Vaca, and I’m the owner of Perspective Ink, a permanent makeup and tattoo studio based in Kansas City Missouri. I specialize in services such as powder brows, combo brows, nano brows, eyeliner tattooing, lip blushing, and corrective permanent makeup procedures. My passion has always been helping people feel more confident and comfortable in their own skin, and permanent makeup became the perfect way for me to combine artistry with that purpose.

I got into the beauty industry because I’ve always been drawn to creativity and transformation. Over time, I realized that permanent makeup is about so much more than beauty — it can genuinely change the way someone feels about themselves every single day. Whether I’m helping a busy mom simplify her routine, restoring confidence for someone who has sparse brows, or correcting previous permanent makeup that left a client unhappy, I love being able to create results that make people feel empowered.

What sets me apart is the amount of care, honesty, and attention to detail I bring to every client experience. I truly believe permanent makeup should enhance someone’s natural beauty instead of overpowering it. I focus heavily on customized results because every client’s face, skin, style, and goals are different. I also take pride in making clients feel comfortable, educated, and heard throughout the process, especially those who may feel nervous or have had bad experiences in the past.

One of the things I’m most proud of is building my own business from the ground up and earning the trust of my clients through consistent work and genuine relationships. Seeing clients regain confidence after a procedure, especially corrective work or transformations after removal treatments, is incredibly rewarding for me.

I want potential clients and followers to know that my brand is built on passion, professionalism, and authenticity. I’m constantly continuing my education and refining my craft so I can provide the best possible results. At the end of the day, my goal is not just to create beautiful permanent makeup — it’s to create an experience where people leave feeling more confident than when they walked in.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One story that really illustrates my resilience is the journey of building my business from the ground up while working in an industry that requires constant growth, adaptability, and trust. When I first started in permanent makeup and tattooing, I knew I had the passion and creativity for it, but I also quickly realized how much responsibility comes with working on people’s faces and helping them feel confident in themselves.

There were definitely moments where I doubted myself, especially in the beginning while trying to establish my name, build a loyal clientele, and continue investing in advanced education and training. Like many small business owners, there were times I faced setbacks, financial pressure, long hours, and the challenge of balancing creativity with the realities of running a business. But instead of allowing those obstacles to discourage me, I used them as motivation to work harder and improve.

One experience that stands out to me is working with corrective permanent makeup clients — especially clients who came to me feeling defeated after previous bad experiences or unsuccessful work done elsewhere. Those moments require not only technical skill, but patience, compassion, and problem-solving. Helping someone regain confidence after they’ve lost trust in the process has been one of the most rewarding and emotional parts of my career. It reminds me why resilience matters so much — because sometimes the most meaningful growth comes from working through difficult situations rather than avoiding them.

I’m proud that I continued pushing forward even during challenging moments because it allowed me to build a business and reputation based on trust, authenticity, and quality work. That resilience has shaped not only my career, but also the way I approach life — with persistence, empathy, and the belief that challenges can become opportunities for growth.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think one of the biggest things that helped me build my reputation within the permanent makeup and tattoo industry has been consistency — not only in the quality of my work, but also in the way I treat my clients. I’ve always believed that people remember how you make them feel just as much as the service itself. From the beginning, I focused on creating an experience where clients feel comfortable, heard, educated, and confident throughout the entire process.

Another major factor has been my commitment to continued education and growth. The beauty and permanent makeup industry is constantly evolving, and I’ve always made it a priority to keep learning new techniques, improving my skills, and staying current with industry standards. I never wanted to become complacent — I wanted my clients to know they were receiving the best and safest services possible.

I also think transparency and authenticity have played a huge role in building trust within my market. I’m honest with clients about expectations, healing, and what will work best for their individual features and skin type. I don’t believe in a “one size fits all” approach, and I think clients appreciate that level of honesty and customization.

Social media and word-of-mouth referrals have also been incredibly important for my business. A lot of my growth has come from happy clients sharing their experiences and trusting me enough to recommend me to their friends and family. That means a lot to me because it shows that the relationships I’ve built are genuine.

Most importantly, I truly care about the work I do and the confidence it gives people. Whether it’s permanent makeup, corrective work, or tattoos, I approach every client with passion and attention to detail. I think when people see that level of care and consistency over time, it naturally helps build a strong reputation and loyal client base.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/kelseyvaca
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Kelseyvaca