We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Blanca Pena. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Blanca below.

Blanca , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

My parents came here to make a better life. They were here one year before having me.
I want all their sacrifices to be worth it to them.
The other day my parents both saw me doing a popup, after it was over we all just sat and relaxed and my mom was telling my dad how much she enjoyed watching me do what I love, how proud she was of me. That made my heart fill with joy.
I am doing what I am doing so that one day I can teach my daughters and leave them with something, something that will continue, and that is generational wealth. People will remember I started something and my babies will continue it. Whether it be in beauty or anything else, they will be their own bosses.

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

I started off modeling, it was pretty hard to secure a makeup artist who was available when I needed one (which was a lot). I decided to go to school for makeup for myself. Once I announced I was done with school all the photographers i had modeled for asked if I could do makeup for their models. I said no at first but once I did it there was no going back. I loved being behind the scenes as much as I loved being in front of the camera. Slowly I started adding a new service.
I offer tooth gems, custom fangs, temporary tooth tattoos, permanent jewelry, hydrajelly facial masks, foot rituals, ancient scalp massages, body contouring, & teeth whitening.
What sets me apart from others is my passion. I genuinely LOVE what I do. I can’t wait to see my regulars as well as meet new people.
I’m proud of how I go and get what I want. I set a goal and I don’t stop until I accomplish it. I dream big and I hope to pass that on to my babies. To dream big and never let anyone tell them they can’t.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Going non stop. If I wasn’t booked and busy 24/7 I felt like I was wasting time.
I felt anxious.
I was only truly happy when my calendar was full.
Even through my second pregnancy I worked up until a few weeks before I was due.
I couldn’t wait to get back to it once I could.
Then I had a near death experience with my 3rd pregnancy which my angel baby didn’t survive, and 5 months later I was pregnant again.
Having this mentality took a toll on me in many ways.
Physically, emotionally, mentally.
I had to step back, give myself a break, grace, and breathe.
It was hard, I still struggle with it sometimes but now if I have 3-5 scattered clients everyday is a win for me. Instead of the 8am-7pm fully booked experience I was pushing on myself.
Once my last client is gone I let go of work and focus on my house, my babies, and I just breathe.
Don’t be so hard on yourselves. I know it seems scary and it feels like we have to hustle like crazy but that also makes the experience stressful and if you really love your industry and what you do you don’t want to burn yourself out.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Thinking everyone has the same heart as me. I am someone who will put your name in rooms you aren’t In if an amazing opportunity comes up I know is perfect for someone.
I recommend everyone to everyone.
I introduce everyone to everyone.
I want everyone to win.
There is room for everyone and if I can’t do it I will recommend another makeup artist/model ect.
It was an eye opener to realize not everyone would do the same for me.
People I recommend didn’t recommend me.
People I promoted and shared stuff for didn’t do the same for me.
It was hard for me at first I got mad and annoyed and stopped doing it but I realized that wasn’t me. I had to keep being me and that means supporting people and helping people.
So although sometimes I do feel sad strangers are quicker to support me and promote me than my friends/family I remember not everyone has my heart and everyone wants to see you do good but not better than them.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @_beautifiedbyb