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

Grisselda , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’ve all been there before where things are tight financially and we start asking ourselves in the small/simple joys like a cup of coffee is worth it. Have you had an experience like this and if so how did you think about this sort of spending?

Lean times is what pushed me to entrepreneurship. I had got fired from my corporate job where I was earning a lot of money and enjoying great perks. Being let go brought a feeling of release.

It was necessary to release any inhibitions and exhibit courage and self-assurance. Despite my limited funds, I used the remainder to promote my business and purchase necessary items as needed.

Every client that I got,I invested In the field of Marketing, Kit, Transportation. I continued to push forward with determination until my income surpassed that of my corporate job.

Grisselda , 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?

Most people don’t know this about me, but I’m a reserved, person who enjoys keeping to myself. I’m also a single mother to my daughter, Anaya, and my son, Juanito.

I’ve been in the beauty industry since I was 20, but my journey began with transforming my own appearance and expressing myself through art. It became my way of healing, escaping, and enjoying my favorite pastime.

At 23 years old, I started working for a very well-known bridal company. This was where I truly put my skills to use, working part-time on brides and their bridal parties. However, the pay wasn’t great.

During this time, I was working full-time while also taking care of my children and building my skills part-time. After more than three years of doing this, I started to build confidence, work faster and more effectively, and improve my kit.

It wasn’t until I went through a bad breakup and lost my job that I was pushed to start my own business. With only a few hundred dollars to my name, I used what I had left to invest in marketing, tools, and transportation. Every extra dollar I earned, I put back into the business until I was making more than my last job.

I then attended and graduated from Paul Mitchell School and got licensed in cosmetology. while continuing to work on my own business as a Freelance Hair and Makeup Artist. Over time, I rebranded my business to focus specifically on brides, offering a clean and polished look. I also expanded my services to include hairstyling as well.

Today, I am a traveling hair and makeup artist, providing high-quality work at an affordable price. What sets me apart from other artists is my personality—I listen, I care, and I provide exceptional service. More than just creating beautiful looks, I strive to make my clients feel comfortable and understood. I am patient, dedicated, and truly passionate about what I do.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I built my client base in Sacramento and the Bay Area by marketing through Thumbtack. I joined when the platform was still relatively unknown in Sacramento, which gave me an advantage. Over the years, I’ve gained many professional clients who appreciate the convenience of seeing my reviews and work upfront. I leveraged this by promoting myself on Instagram, combining strong client feedback with high-quality work to grow my business.

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

Pursuing what you love is rewarding, but it comes with criticism. You need thick skin to handle feedback because not everyone will love your work. Honing your skills takes time, and along the way, you’ll make mistakes, fail financially, and learn to manage your emotions—especially in a fast-paced industry.

My family has always believed in my talent, but they’ve watched me struggle financially while chasing my vision. At times, they saw it as something I might outgrow, but I never did. I’ve been building Makeup_bygriss brick by brick, and I won’t stop until it becomes a six-figure business.

Contact Info:

• Website: Makeup_bygriss on Thumbtack
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeup_bygriss

Image Credits

Thank you to Bianca Anaya for letting me practice in your face as well As Andrea.