We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nicolas Gallardo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nicolas below.
Nicolas, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
I am the happiest I have ever been doing what I love to do. It really is true when they say “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”. Of course, I get tired after taking on so many clients, but I am the one who sets that up for myself. I am the one who chooses how many clients I am up to take on in a day and I choose when I want to take a couple days off. My life and how I live it is in my hands and not someone else’s, not some corporation.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a Miami based freelance makeup artist and hair stylist. Makeup has been a part of my life since I was in high school. I have worked with many celebrities and VIP clients, and directed large scale beauty events nationwide. When COVID hit everything came crashing down, I lost my corporate job and that same day I sent in my cover letter and application for beauty school as tears ran down my face. Before I knew it I had the keys to my own salon suite where business quickly started booming as a hair stylist. In the midst of taking on all these clients I launched my own cosmetics line and released my first 3 sets of lip sticks and lip liners which sold out almost immediately. After this the demand for my makeup skills became higher and higher and I had to let go of my career as a hair colorist. Now I have clients booking me for makeup up to a year in advance and I am considered one of Miami’s top tier makeup artists. At times the demand becomes over whelming and of course I am only one person and can only do so much on my own, but thankfully I am blessed to be surrounded by some of Miami’s most recognized artists and stylists who are also incredible at what they do and are just as passionate about the artistry as I am and we team up whenever we need to!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The end result. Seeing the look of excitement and gratitude on a clients face when they feel beautiful looking at themselves in the mirror. And of course the referrals, that is the greatest compliment a client can ever give an artist.
How did you build your audience on social media?
My social media presence really helped my business. For quite some time I was a social media influencer on instagram, I even was one of the original instagram filter creators who went viral with millions of users world wide. Which is why my social media isnt completely about makeup, I wear many hats.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nicomua.setmore.com/?fbclid=PAAaYiELH8ijRKr4aHo-xAb-bn1PrazdntewC-Z1S7gpIwcJWTE8DENX5lo2Y&instant_experiences_enabled=true
- Instagram: @nicomuaxo