We recently connected with Larissa Saenz and have shared our conversation below.

Larissa , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Being a freelanced Artist has always had its advantages, but also many struggles. When you think of the freedom of “being your own boss” We really only see the good side of the business. No clocking in. No regular 9-5. No higher up’s telling you what do to. But the truth in the matter is. Becoming your own boss through freelanced work is the most challenging task mentally, physically, and especially emotionally. You really need to have the hustle mentality, otherwise, you have no work to be done. Which means, no money earned. As a freelanced Artist we don’t have a 9-5 because we have a 24/7. I am always looking for my next event to book. Whether it be through word of mouth from previous clients, marketing on social platforms or being a vendor in Expo shows. Being successful in following your passion and turning into a career is hard work and I cannot tell you a short cut or secret to have that passion turn into financial freedom.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Larissa Marie Saenz, and I am a first generation Mexican American. My family by all means wasn’t traditional in the sense of pushing us ( my siblings & I ) into careers that are traditionally known to be successful. Ex) Doctors, Teachers, Lawyers. Their values were for us to live “the American dream” and this meant, the freedom of becoming whom ever it is we wanted to be in life. In America, we have the privilege of following passions that thrive us.

This is where I found my passion of becoming a Hair Artist. I graduated from LATTC which is a Trade School in the heart of LA. I am forever a student of extended learning through new techniques the future of hair may bring.

Now, I say Hair Artist and not Hairstylist because I am by no means a traditional hairstylist. I have been strictly creating and designing hair STYLES on clients for over 8 years. From beauty commercials, to on set work, even pop up events for bigger hair brands such as Olaplex. Specifically my passion has now been in the wedding industry creating beautiful hair styles for all of my Brides + their loved ones.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I’m not entirely sure when this came about, but being a freelanced Artist for some reason has always been looked down upon. I do sometimes get the notion that when I tell a stranger, or someone who does not know me what I do in life for a career, they simply have a mindset that it is just a “hobby,” which could never be financial freedom. Well this is definitely not the case! As a creative Artist, you can expand your passion into a career that can be as small or as large of a scale as you wish it to be.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Being a first time mom to a little Boy has definitely taught me the value of being present in someone’s life. I always knew that having a traditional or what society deems as a Career was never going to work for me. I needed to have the freedom of creating my own schedule in life and not having a 9 to 5 Monday through Friday. There have been many incidents where I firsthand watched a larger company get rid of a hard-working individual and easily replaced them within a matter of hours! So I always told myself, why would I ever miss out on life, family, and passions just to clock in to a job where you are easily replaceable.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Bridalsaenz
• Other: IG: ll.beauty.co

Image Credits

Laurenraephoto