We were lucky to catch up with Adriana Benitez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Adriana, 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?

I started my business when I was 16 years old. I have never experienced working a regular job so I do wonder what it would be to just have a regular job. As a small business owner, I wear many hats, meaning you must manage several job titles. This can be stressful, especially as a young adult, but it has taught me many lessons that have been pivotal for growth in my life and my career. For this, I have immense gratitude to be the mastermind of Glorified Arts as being the mastermind of Glorified Arts has been such a rewarding and empowering role. I love everything I do and the community I have built. So I would say I am beyond happy as a business owner.

Adriana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello! My name is Adriana Benitez, I am a passionate beauty professional and the creative mind behind the brand Glorified Arts.
From a young age, I embraced my artistic inclinations and recognized the power of art in all its forms. Being able to express myself has always been something super important to me and art allowed me to freely express myself without needing anyone but me to understand it. As I got older, I discovered my passion for beauty and the artistry of makeup. Makeup became my medium for self-expression and creativity, allowing me to not only showcase my skills but also to boost my confidence.

Lash Extensions quickly became a focal point in my beauty journey, captivating me with their transformative effect—not just on my appearance, but also on the women around me. I saw how the women I serviced felt after my services and I just knew that this was something I wanted more women to feel. Growing up surrounded by women, I learned firsthand how feeling confident and beautiful profoundly impacts your self-perception and worldview. Through Glorified Arts, I aim to empower women to embrace their beauty and express themselves freely, ultimately elevating their lives. I do this one client at a time by carefully and meticulously placing individual lash fibers to each client’s existing lashes creating unique and versatile looks custom-tailored to each eye while also giving my clients a safe space to freely express and be themselves. My versatility and unique perspective as an artist is something I believe sets me apart from others.

Something I am very proud of is the opportunities I bring to women around me. Through my 5+ years of experience, I have gathered all the information needed to successfully run a lash business and I am blessed to be able to share that with others. This isn’t just about learning lashes; your mentality and beliefs play a big part in your success which is something I talk about a lot with my mentees. I have trained over 20 women, equipping them with all the knowledge needed for them to create a living for themselves by their own means. Being able to lead women to a better life is a truly fulfilling experience, nothing feels better than to see your mentee thrive. I hope to only continue to make a positive impact on my growing community.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Initially, I started building my audience on social media by treating it as an online portfolio. Displaying my work to potential clients, just like salons would with magazines of different haircuts and styles. I dedicated myself to capturing and displaying my work to the best of my abilities. This worked for me, it helped me build a loyal clientele. If photography isn’t your strength, you can always hire someone to shoot for you. This is the perfect opportunity to collaborate and reach out to maybe a friend who’s passionate about photography. Remember your social media may be someone’s first impression of you, so I’d advise you to make it count! showcase your work in a way that makes others intrigued.

As my business grew, I embraced the opportunity to create an online community by introducing my face and personality to my audience, this attracted like-minded individuals to me and created a supportive community united by shared interests and values. For those looking to network and connect I recommend not just showcasing your work but also sharing your story and personality with your audience, this will make it easier for those individuals to find you. Remember always be you! People want to meet the real you.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Authenticity and integrity have been crucial for the growth of my clientele. I work one-on-one with my clients allowing me to establish genuine connections, so it’s quite easy to spot any inauthenticity. Inauthenticity can lead your client to perceive you as dishonest which you don’t want as it can push people away. Being authentic attracts clients that align with your values so always remain true to yourself. Integrity is SUPER important when trying to grow your clientele. You want to make people feel assured that they are in honest and righteous hands, no one wants to feel like they’re being cheated. Being honest and correct with the work you are putting out is key to successfully gaining and maintaining your client’s trust.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Glorifiedarts.as.me
• Instagram: @glorifiedarts

Image Credits

Kayla Ramos, Rah Me, Jenny Moscoso