We were lucky to catch up with Valerie Espino recently and have shared our conversation below.

Valerie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I’m originally from a small town and always had dreams of moving to a bigger city where there would be more opportunities. Being self employed with young children kind of complicated those dreams untill 2021 we came to Florida on vacation and fell in love ! We decided taking a chance on ourselves was well worth the risk ! We went back home began selling all of our belongings including our home and moved our family and businesses to florida(tampa) . I’ve been a lash artist for the past 11 years and had a very successful lash business back in CA, the idea of walking away from that scared me but never knowing what life was like outside of our small town scared me more . Starting over in a state where I don’t know anyone was very hard . With the help of social platforms and having a love for content creating was the back bone to the success of rebuilding my business. I started filling my books with new clients and recently launched Lash Trainings that are doing very well. As crazy as selling everything we owned packing up our family and moving across the country sounds , we took a risk and we’re so happy we did ! There’s nothing like running towards the things that scare you and making it to the other side . There’s a level of growth that only happens when we bet on ourselves . I wanted to also teach my kids that you should never stop dreaming new dreams and you can do any and all things you put your minds to.

Valerie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi I‘m Valerie Breanne, you can call me val! I own VIBE ARTISTRY. (@lashesbyvalerie.b)

I am a lash and make up artist based out of Tampa Florida, originally from California. I’ve been in the beauty industry for 10 years specializing in bridal, fitness, and every day make up applications. I am also a lash artist specializing in mega volume ,volume , hybrid and classic eyelash extensions. I’m also a partner with one of the Leading Lash Brands in the US , Lashbox LA. I’m a licensed cosmetologist and started in the industry doing hair and makeup , didn’t love the hair side of it and ironically the salon I worked at was a lash lounge on the other side so I started watching them and fell in love with the process , I got trained in classic lashes and it was a wrap after that , from the beginning I saw the eye in a completely different way compared to the other artists in my area. It was so much more than a lash application I felt like I could shape the eye using different lengths and my clients loved it , and went on to run my lash business without ever having a slow season .

I love serving my clients whether it’s giving you perfect lashes or make up application that makes you feel beautiful and confident !

The beauty industry is home to me. I love making new connections and creating beautiful things .

I specialize in creating beautifully shaped sets of lashes . I’m also an educator, where I teach other lash artists how to elevate their artistry and create beautiful sets of lashes. Teaching has fulfilled a place in my heart I didn’t know existed. Our industry is full of amazing artists who have been in the industry for a long time and have a ton of knowledge and insight to share so this new generation of artists can level up and not struggle with some of the things that we had to.

Thank you for believing in and supporting my Artistry I look forward to all the new connections and collaborations this new area and industry has created for me .

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson or habit that I’ve definitely had to unlearn during the rebuilding process, would probably be the relationship I had with myself around my business I wasn’t great at celebrating my wins or giving my self credit for the business I had built , I very much saw it as I was doing My job and it just had to be done , after moving to Florida I was really able to look at everything I had built and all the effort and hard work that required and I was able to appreciate it then . I was able to have confidence going into the rebuild bc I knew what I was capable of , being the new kid is vulnerable so having confidence really kept me afloat on the tough days .x

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I feel Being your own boss /creator is the best job , hands down ! Having the freedom to create and put your heart into your work allows you to live a passionate life which makes you feel like you have a purpose . When you live a purpose driven life you naturally have more drive bc you have a vision and your always running towards it . The idea that you cAn be as successful as you want to be if your willing to put in the work literally makes everything feel possible.       

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vibeartistrybyvalb.com/
• Instagram: Lashesbyvalerie.b
• Facebook: ValerieBreanne

Image Credits
Ig: @chasityraleyphoto