Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sandra Calderon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sandra, appreciate you joining us today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.
My parents did everything right.
I come from a very hardworking, immigrant family. My mom and dad came from Mexico to the US for the American Dream shortly after they married. My dad worked countless hours every day while my mom stayed at home with my 4 siblings and I. They provided everything we needed. I remember being 5 years old and begging my mom to allow me to stay up on a school night so I could see my dad come home from work. It was hard for all of us to see him so little but he taught us that hard work always pays off. My mom didn’t have it much easier than my dad. She had 5 kids 6 and under. and under and never lost her patience.
After many years of hard work and discipline my dad was able to open his own business and continue to provide for my mom so she can stay at home and help raise her grandkids.
My parents have truly been the best example. 43 years of marriage (and counting), 11 grandkids, a successful business and multiple investment properties are proof that the American Dream they came looking for is real. They have taught me that hard work, discipline and patience will get you to your goals.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Sandra, your brow girl and artist/owner of PERFECTA Beauty. I am a first generation Mexican-
American and have been in the beauty industry for
over 10 years. I attended my first microblading
course in 2016 and have been certified 5x since
then. I truly love and enjoy what I do. Microblading is
a form of art for me and it brings so much joy seeing
my art on so many pretty faces! Watching the
physical transformation as well as the emotional
transformation that brows bring is amazing to me. If
you look good you usually feel good, right?
I am also a proud girl mom of two under two and
absolutely love it!! So when I’m not at the studio
creating brows, I am spending time with my little
family. I love to travel and eat! I’m always open to try
something new.
Fun facts about me:
•My first language is Spanish. I am bilingual but I also
understand some Francés and Portugués.
•I thought I was going to be a nurse before becoming
an esthetician. I was taking classes when I decided
to stick with beauty school.
•| hate hearing people chew their food es
•I remember almost everything. My first memory is
from when I was just a few days old.
•| love all music but I just can’t listen to country…idk,
I’ve tried it but I can’t do it.
Thank you for following, I hope to
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
When I decided to start Esthetics School and Microblading I was still on the fence about nursing school. I had taken all my pre-reqs for the nursing program and was trying to decide when it would be best to sign up and start the program. I remember I told a few of my friends and some family that I was very interested in the beauty industry and that I wasn’t 100% ready to continue with nursing. I was told that nursing is a “career” and that the “beauty industry”was just a hobby that would not pay enough. I was pretty heart-broken by their reaction but I knew that my passion in beauty was what I wanted to pursue, so I followed my gut.
After I graduated from esthetics in 2014, I started working in the beauty industry but I needed a second job to make ends meet for a couple years. I then started microblading and would take a client or two a week. I really focused on posting on social media and networking with local salons and beauty studios. I worked so hard and continued to practice my craft so that I could provide the best experience for each of my clients and then I would ask them for a review in exchange for a free eyebrow wax.
In 2018, I finally was way too busy to continue with two jobs and my beauty “hobby” on the side so I decided to quit my jobs and open my own studio. I was booking out 2-3 month at a time and constantly getting new clients who were traveling hours to get their eyebrows microbladed by me.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
For me, being my authentic self and focusing on mastering my craft has been extremely important in building my reputation in this industry. I truly care about my clients and I want to make sure that they feel that when they come to my studio. I believe that there is enough of everything for everyone. There will always be enough to go around. Don’t focus on competing with anyone because you will get distracted and lose your focus.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.perfectabeauty.studio
- Instagram: perfectabeauty.studio
- Facebook: perfectabeautyy
Image Credits
Vanessa Godoy Photography