Rising Stars: Meet Lynn Garza

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynn Garza. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As a young girl, I loved putting makeup on and watching my mom do her makeup before work. When I got a little older and was allowed to get my hair highlighted for the first time, I fell in love with the transformation it gave me. I think that was the real draw for me. I found it fascinating that you could elevate and change how you felt about yourself with something as small as changing your hair color or putting on lipstick. I began my career as a stylist in 2005. I had two small children at the time and I threw myself into this passion of making others feel good about themselves. I have really never looked back! Over the years I’ve enjoyed working in many aspects of the beauty industry from styling behind the chair, special occasion/weddings, styled photoshoots, and educating with Aquage Haircare. 

It really is true that once you do something you love, you will never work a day in your life. Even after 15 plus years in this industry, I could not imagine doing anything else. I love my clients and being a part of their lives and special occasions. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road! Having said that I honestly believe and it has been my experience that to elevate yourself you have to go through growing pains. When I was first starting out if I wasn’t immediately good at something I would feel so defeated! It’s easy to be hard on yourself in this industry. There is, however, something to be said for hard work and practice. I have learned throughout my career that practice really does make perfect. I had a mentor who once told me you don’t have to be the best at everything in this industry but you do have to find the services you love and then be the best at those things. That has always stuck with me. In 2009 I found myself working at Salon 206 in downtown Defiance. We started to have a lot of bridal requests for makeup and formal styling. I already knew I loved doing makeup, so I started training for airbrush makeup with a company called Temptu. This was just the change I needed at the time. Fast forward to today, where I am now booked with weddings most weekends and also enjoy the freedom of working with several photographers doing hair and makeup for styled photoshoots. I love that each client I have the pleasure of working on is a new project! 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Behind the chair, I do all types of color services as well as hair cutting and styling. I specialize in lived in color, grey coverage, balayage and I love to do fashion color! I also specialize in bridal makeup and soft glam makeup for styled photoshoots and events. I absolutely love working with airbrush foundation and feel that it leaves the skin looking flawless and amazing for the camera. 

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The Covid-19 crisis was a total reality check for me and for my business. As an independent contractor and self-employed person, it really made me look at my business differently. I felt like I had to take steps to protect my finances and start treating my salon and freelance work as an actual business. I don’t think until this happened that I took budgeting and business expenses seriously. I knew that I needed to make some serious changes in how I treated my business and finances. I joined a business course called Thrivers Society designed specifically for salon professionals where I learned how to properly manage the business aspect of my salon career, which has been a game changer! I developed a website and started working on actual marketing strategies. The technical part of this craft is only a slice of the pie. I wish I would have worked on business skills long before I did. I feel like until the last 10 years or so business education for stylists was just not available, and it was definitely not part of cosmetology school. 

Pricing:

• Airbrush Makeup Application $75
• Fashion Color $150+
• Balayage $150+

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lynngarzabeauty.com
• Instagram: lynngarza_beauty
• Facebook: Lynn Garza Beauty

Image Credits
Amy Gilmore