We recently connected with Billy Bernal and have shared our conversation below.
Billy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
Before I embarked on my PMU Journey I worked a regular 9-5 job as an Administrative Assistant for a local Children’s Hospital. I had solid hours, great pay and benefits, But until I could get my business off the ground I had to hustle, work 9-5 and commit to my business full time. I no longer had weekends or any free time to myself. Two and half years later I took the biggest leap of faith in my career and quit my job as an admin, It was time, The unnecessary stress I was putting on myself to please someone else and work for others was too much for my mental health. I was failing as a Boyfriend, Brother, Friend, Son. I had no time for my loved ones, not even myself. I think what really pushed me into making this decision was having daily conversations with my Father and Boyfriend. I’m much more happy when I work on my clients and when I get to be creative with my social media and brand. It was pretty much a no brainer, leave your job and focus on what makes you happy. So that is exactly what I did. The only regret I have is actually not doing it sooner, I don’t know why I waited so long to leave but I am so glad that I did, Now I can take more clients And I have repeat clientele coming for yearly touchups I couldn’t be more excited for my future and what’s to come.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Absolutely, So for those who don’t know what a PMU is it stands for Permanent Makeup Artist. I got into my craft in the funniest way possible, I was let go from a job due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. I was given a severance check and I thought, should I save this for rent, or should I use it to go back to school. So I went back to school and learned how to do brows and the rest is history. My area of focus in the PMU world is in eyebrows so that is anything eyebrows, Microblading, Powder, Lamination and Clean up. I think what sets me apart from other artists is that I craft every brow to the each clients unique facial structure. The whole appointment is like a collaboration between myself the artist and the client, I’m just the hands that will help craft their unique set of brows. Every client that I see has different specifications on what they want for their face some want bold where others might want subtle brows. I think what I’ve learned through my experience as an artist is that crafting the perfect brow doesn’t need to be perfect to me but perfect for the client. I can say with the upmost confidence that when you come and see BILLY BROWS you will have an amazing experience, and you’ll leave with amazing brows.
How did you build your audience on social media?
It took quite a while to build my online presence. I started by posting my experience in school posting pictures of my homework on fake skin. I would then offer deals for $100 dollars just to cover the expense of supplies and in return take pics of my clients. By posting something everyday I would slowly get a few followers each and every day, and before you knew it I grew my presence over night. Even when I don’t have clients I post something. A time lapse of me working, organizing my supply closet, drawing and eyebrow from scratch. If I was to give advise to anyone it would be to never lose touch of your goal put out what you want to give, Social media doesn’t need to be for influencers you don’t have to put your face out there to promote your product, for me my work speaks for itself. If I was online posting a tiktok dancing to the latest trend what does that say about my work, what am I hiding? If you were to look at my INSTAGRAM @BILLYBROWS you would see it is all pictures of my clients.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I think the best part of being an artist is being able to help my clients achieve exactly what they want. I work on a majority of men so beauty and vanity can be quite a touchy subject. Being able to have what I call a collaboration and achieve the perfect #guybrow is all that matters to me. Crafting beautiful, pretty brows is always my favorite but being able to craft a bold, strong and full guy brow Is just as rewarding. The words “Permanent Makeup” can be very jarring for any man because typically they want something natural and wont last forever. The way I craft the brows will look super natural, with men you don’t have to follow all the rules in order to craft the perfect brow. Sometimes working in the negative space and creating a subtle shoe makes all the difference.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @billybrows
- Facebook: Facebook.com/billybrows
- Other: https://shoutoutsocal.com/meet-billy-bernal-permanent-make-up-artist/ http://sdvoyager.com/interview/rising-stars-meet-billy-bernal-of-san-diego/
Image Credits
Billy Brows