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

Leah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I firmly believe that success is born from unwavering intention and dedicated investment of time. With determined focus on a well-defined goal, and a relentless commitment to honing one’s skills, I am a firm advocate that success can be achieved in any endeavor where heartfelt passion and energy are poured. The more time you carve out to spend on your business or craft becomes a stepping stone to shaping the path towards accomplishment.

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

I began my hair and makeup career back in 2004, right after graduating from high school. With a burning passion for the beauty industry, I wasted no time and promptly relocated to Los Angeles, where I enrolled in comprehensive courses covering Beauty, Character, Hair, and Business. It was an incredible experience working in the heart of the entertainment world for over 6 years, collaborating on film projects, print shoots, and even getting the chance to beautify renowned musicians and actors.

In 2010, a newfound love for enhancing the beauty of brides on their special day led me to establish Dreamcatcher Artistry. Returning to my hometown of Santa Barbara, I officially launched my venture and began catering to the bridal niche. As the word spread, I started building connections with other talented hair and makeup artists, assigning them to various weddings. This gave rise to our amazing team, bringing together skilled professionals who shared the same commitment to making dreams come true for brides.

Our journey took us to San Francisco, where we opened a branch that rapidly flourished into our biggest and busiest team, serving the Bay Area with top-notch beauty services. The demand for our artistry continued to soar, prompting our expansion to California’s central coast, where we established our third branch in the city of San Luis Obispo.

The growth of Dreamcatcher Artistry has been a labor of love, and this year has been particularly special as my husband has joined the team full-time, assisting with bookings and contributing to the success of our business. We are thrilled to announce that we are working on a fourth location in Los Angeles, a long-cherished dream of ours finally taking shape!

What truly drives me is the opportunity to provide our brides with a confidence-boosting experience on their most important days. There’s an incredible sense of fulfillment in creating unforgettable moments and bringing out the best in our clients. Besides my love for the artistry itself, I take great pleasure in building robust systems and organizing the backend of our business to ensure smooth and efficient bookings for our talented artists.

But perhaps what I’m most proud of is the fact that Dreamcatcher Artistry has become a family-run enterprise, creating employment opportunities for over 30 artists across California. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the hard work of our team pay off and being able to support them in pursuing their passion.

Looking ahead, we are committed to maintaining our high-end value and unwavering dedication to momentous occasions, making dreams come true, one brushstroke at a time!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I made the move to San Francisco, I had high hopes for replicating the organic success I had experienced in Santa Barbara. However, reality proved to be quite different, and I faced some initial challenges. Establishing my name in a new city and finding like-minded artists to collaborate with turned out to be a formidable task. To keep myself afloat during this period, I took on various side jobs, including working as a receptionist at a salon, contributing my skills at a local Dry Bar, and even taking up a teaching position at a reputable Makeup School.

Though it was undoubtedly a challenging time, I now recognize that these diverse experiences became invaluable stepping stones that elevated my craft to new heights. Embracing the temporary detour from focusing solely on my business, I delved into these opportunities with passion and dedication. Working at the salon, Dry Bar, and teaching at the Makeup School exposed me to different aspects of the beauty industry and allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.

In particular, my position at the Makeup School was a turning point. Not only did I gain valuable insights into the art of makeup, but I also had the privilege of mentoring and training aspiring artists. Little did I know that some of these talented individuals I nurtured back then would eventually become an integral part of our current team, contributing their exceptional skills to our shared vision.

In retrospect, I am grateful for the growth and enrichment that stemmed from these experiences. They not only honed my artistic abilities but also instilled in me a deeper understanding of the industry dynamics and the importance of fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for artists.

As I look back on my journey, I can’t help but feel thankful for the detours that led me to where I am today. The struggles and challenges served as catalysts for personal and professional development, and the connections made during this time have proven to be invaluable assets to the Dreamcatcher Artistry team.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

This year has been a momentous one for me as I had the wonderful opportunity to officially bring my husband, Chris, on board as a business partner. In all honesty, he has been my unwavering support and silent business partner right from the beginning, providing the financial stability that allowed me to pursue my dreams and embark on a freelance career in the beauty industry.

Our journey together started back in elementary school, where fate introduced us to each other. While we weren’t particularly close during those early years, we always knew of one another’s presence. As we progressed to Jr. high, our paths briefly crossed before we went off to different high schools. It wasn’t until years later, when I was visiting home from Los Angeles, that we bumped into each other again. This chance encounter sparked our friendship, which blossomed into a beautiful and fulfilling relationship.

Chris’s work ethic is truly something to admire. He has been a dedicated and esteemed crew member and manager at Trader Joe’s for over a decade, showcasing his commitment to his career. His steadfast support and belief in my dreams have been the backbone of Dreamcatcher Artistry, enabling me to take calculated financial risks that I might not have been able to undertake alone. I owe so much of my success to him, and I genuinely wouldn’t be where I am today without his unwavering encouragement.

This past year, after much thought and consideration, we made the collective decision for Chris to join Dreamcatcher Artistry on a full-time basis. It was a significant step for us, but one that we knew was right for our family. With a 6-year-old son to care for, having the ability for both of us to work from home has been a game-changer. The flexibility and freedom it brings have proven to be invaluable, allowing us to balance our professional commitments with family time and create cherished memories together.

As we move forward, we so excited for what the future holds. With both of us fully invested and giving our all to Dreamcatcher Artistry, we’re confident that our shared passion and dedication will lead to even greater heights of success and fulfillment. Together, we are a formidable team, and very excited to be in this next chapter of our lives!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dreamcatcherartistry.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/dreamcatcherartistry
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/DreamcatcherArtistry
• Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/dreamcatcher-artistry-san-francisco

Image Credits
Allison Welker Photography Lerina Winter Photography Elijah and Susannah Photography Willa Via Photography Loveridge Photo and Film