We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Samantha Gomez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Samantha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. 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.

I decided to go back to school at 35 years old. I had worked in the veterinary field for the better part of 15 years, no college education, and was a stay at home mom to a 4 year old. I had wanted to obtain my esthetician license for as long as I can remember, but it was never the right time. I found myself at a crossroad when my daughter was going to be starting school full time. I felt torn between being available for my family at all times, and fulfilling something I had wanted for so long. However, now was my chance. I toured a school and that fire was lit. I wanted to start the next session.
My husband, who has always been supportive of anything I want to do, and I sat down and tried to figure out how to make it work. Schedules needed to be aligned, finances sorted, but it was possible. We took a loan out on our home, and I signed the paperwork and left my deposit that next week.
I remember taking my first test in class and failing and thinking to myself that I didn’t belong there. I was the oldest one in the class, I was constantly being pulled in a hundred directions. I felt like I couldn’t keep up, but I did. Once I completed my hours, all 600 of them I was done. Then two months later I would pass my state boards. The same week I passed state boards I was signing a lease for a studio space with my two friends. Our own studio. I went from a stay at home mom, to a licensed esthetician and a business owner within a year. If I wouldn’t have made the leap to go back to school, I would never have experienced what it feels like to be my own boss and have my own space. Something that’s mine.

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

I have always been interested in esthetics. I had obtained my makeup artist certification 13 years ago and didn’t do anything with it at the time, but it was always something I enjoyed. Being able to make someone feel their best and help give them confidence is the most rewarding part of all of this. I am proud to say that my studio is a safe space for self care. It is my moto, and my mission. It is a judgment free-zone, a place to come as you are. I am continuing to try to make it as inclusive as possible. I want anyone who walks in to feel comfortable and to leave feeling better than they did when they came in. I truly love the bond that I have with my clients and it is my favorite part of all of this, The connections I have made with others, is something I will honestly never take for granted. Especially the bonds I have made with other moms.

They always say to find your target audience and for me, even though I want to reach everyone, the audience I relate most to is the mom. I specialize in lash lifts, brow laminations and waxing. All of these services have been selected by me to perform because they are services meant to make your life, and mornings easier. We want to feel and look good in the morning but with what time? That is where I come in. If you can take 90 minutes out of your schedule every 6 weeks, I can give you back that getting ready time every day. Time is valuable, and I can help.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Networking within your community and field! I am a firm believer in community over competition. You can catch me preaching that constantly on social media. I have made so many connections and developed truly amazing friendships over the last couple of years just by reaching out to others in the field. I had to step outside of my comfort zone but it was worth it! We can all learn from each other, bounce ideas off one another and come together to create, and that’s a beautiful thing. There are enough clients for everyone! I want to see everyone succeed. That sounds so cheesy and cliche but it is true. There is enough room at the table for all of us.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

I absolutely would. I love what I do. I love my community and my clients so much and if I knew this is where I would end up, I would have taken this road a long time ago!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bloombeautybysam.com
• Instagram: bloombeauty.bysam
• Yelp: Bloom Beauty by Sam Redlands Ca

Image Credits

Toni Spero Photography