Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Gonzalez.
Hi Tiffany, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My story started at age 16 when I was in high school deciding what program to do for dual enrollment. I was interested in cosmetology; however, when I saw facial specialist, I feel in love with the thought instantly. I graduated at age 17 with my Esthetician license thinking it was just going to be what helped me get a job I liked while I went to college. I started applying for jobs and I got turned down back to back for my age. I decided to start doing it on my own until I turned 18 and would try to get a job at a place again. Once I turned 18, I applied at several places, and they were interested until I would show up. The phrase that made me strongest in my interest in wanting to make it in the industry was “I’m sorry but you look too young” which was the reason a specific owner gave me for not hiring me. It was very discouraging, but I knew the knowledge, the passion, and the drive I had was stronger than my age or my appearance of looking younger than what I was. I decided to not give up on doing it on my own and I gave it my all. I was barely getting clients, but I knew I would only fail if I gave up. Many days and nights praying in my little space led to God blessing me with who is now like my sister Luana who I met at my church Focal Point. She came to get a facial with me and posted me on her Instagram. She was the one God sent to answer my prayers. I went from having one client every 3 months to being fully booked from one night to another! As the years passed, I started falling more and more in love with the business. I was still in college studying sonography and 3 days before starting the sonography program, it didn’t sit well with me. I knew I loved sonography but something in me kept telling me that sonography might still be in the plans later on, but my focus had to be and was always going to be mostly in TMG Vanity Spa. 2020 was the moment I gave in and decided that TMG Vanity Spa was going to be my official career. That all my time and effort was going to go to growing my business. I didn’t want to leave school and felt like I needed more than my associates to feel accomplished. I applied for the business administration bachelor’s program and got accepted and two years later (December 2022) I graduated with my bachelor’s in business administration. A degree I got for TMG Vanity Spa, myself, and in honor of the amazing support my family, boyfriend, clients, and friends have given me. In October 2022 I also graduated from my phlebotomy program in order to do PRP facials and treatments.
It hasn’t been an easy journey, especially as a young esthetician that had no guidance and had to figure things out on her own but thankfully it only made me stronger.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Besides being rejected because of my age, there were many obstacles I had to face in my journey. In 2019, my father was diagnosed with cancer. It was very tough seeing him go through this and throughout it all, I remained full-time in college and in my business while still always putting him first. That year brought a obstacle every single month from personal problems, family, school, etc. Unfortunately, although TMG Vanity Spa has had many blessings, every year after 2019 has been obstacles behind obstacles from my dog passing away, my dad’s cancer coming back, and us currently dealing with that, and just more challenges that have made it difficult for the business to prosper at moments or challenges that have affected me personally making me feel like I wasn’t able to give it my all.
We’ve been impressed with TMG Vanity Spa, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
TMG Vanity Spa is so special because I have made it a mission to provide services that are necessities but still feel luxurious. I focus mostly on customized facials, but I also offer pregnancy belly facials, lip hydration treatments, high frequency, and radio frequency, BB glow, nano-needling, micro-needling, PRP treatments, oxygen infusion, hydrojelly and sheet masks, teen/men/anti-aging and brightening facials. I am known for my facials, but my goal is to be more known for my pregnancy belly facials in the future. I would say that what sets me apart from others is that I truly want everyone to succeed in whatever passion they have! I have helped so many estheticians become successful with guidance. I have not and will never forget where I came from and the hardships I went through. I feel satisfied knowing that I am helping others avoid as many hardships as possible. One of my biggest achievements I am proud of brand-wise is the collab I did with “Dame Boss” on our gloss balms and lip scrubs. TMG Vanity Spa has been open for almost 6 years already, but I feel like we are truly just getting started. Everyone is going to love what’s to come for the business. I would love to thank everyone who has supported me from the beginning and everyone who continues to do so. TMG Vanity Spa is a family… it’s MY family. And I am ready to continue welcome more clients, professionals, and brands to this beautiful family that’s filled with so much love and support.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
When Covid-19 happened, I didn’t work for 5 months. Only being in the industry for 3 years and already experiencing something so tragic was very difficult for me to overcome. However, I used that free time to plan how the next time this happened I would be prepared. I also used the time to discover the importance the business had in my life. I noticed that I depended on TMG Vanity Spa in a way I never thought about and I’m not speaking financially. My business brings me joy; it helps me heal from anything I’m going through and allows me to create a beautiful bond with clients who have been there for me many times that I needed to speak or just had to hear positivity and be reminded things were going to be ok. By not having that during those months, my life felt full of confusion and doubt, but I am glad I was able to find the good in it. Things aren’t going to always be easy but what’s important is that we always try to prepare ourselves as much as possible.
Pricing:
- Full facials – $95 • This facial is perfect for anyone looking for regular maintenance or first-time facial. Includes hot towel, steam, cleanse, light chest facial, enzyme, ultrasonic skin scrubber, extractions, led light therapy, mask, high frequency, cryotherapy, toner, serum, moisturizer, light shoulder & hand massage, Spf, and lip treatment + balm
- Pregnancy belly facials – $100 • This pregnancy belly facial is for all mommy’s who are expecting. This facial is beyond relaxing and uses all products pregnancy safe including a Hydrojelly mask. It is a perfect way to hydrate and moisturize the belly. You can consider this your baby’s first facial.
- Teen facials – $85 • This is a full facial that includes hot towel, steam, cleanse, light chest facial, enzyme, ultrasonic skin scrubber, extractions, led light therapy, mask, high frequency, cryotherapy, toner, serum, moisturizer, Spf, and lip treatment + balm
- Bridal glow facials – $120 • This facial is perfect for all “bride-to-be”! It is focused on obtaining a hydrating and glowing complexion, the perfect canvas for your wedding makeup! Book this facial anywhere from 2 weeks to a week before your big day! Don’t worry about purging as this facial is not a detoxifying facial. Our bridal facial will have you celebrating your wedding day from the second you walk in. It is pure relaxation & luxury from the beginning until the end. This will include a hot towel, double cleanse, enzyme for exfoliation, oxygen infusion, led light therapy * hand massage while they have the led light therapy), sheet mask with cryotherapy, high frequency, light shoulder massage, and of course our chest facial. Finishing it off, our products layered on such-as serum, moisturizer, lip treatment, and SPF!
- Express facials – $75 • This is for anyone running short on time looking for something simple yet effective! This will include hot towel, steam, cleanse, enzyme, mild extractions, mask, high frequency, led light therapy, toner, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tmgvanity.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/tmgvanity?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@tmgvanity?_t=8Yj6HBKjNjq&_r=1
Image Credits
Patricia Silverio
