Today we’d like to introduce you to Eliza Gordon.
Hi Eliza, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always had an interest in the beauty industry. Growing up I was always playing with my own hair and makeup. I was always very drawn to it, and I feel like it came naturally to me. From middle school and throughout college I would always do my own hair and makeup and my friend’s as well. With so many different social media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram, I was also able to watch tutorials that helped me learn different techniques and trends. In 2018 I decided I wanted to do something I was more passionate about and something that brought me joy. I had always thought about the idea of going to cosmetology school, as I had tried a few years prior to that but it just did not work out. I finally decided I just had to go for it! I was still working full time, a wife, and a mother but that did not stop me from enrolling in cosmetology school at Paul Mitchell the School Orlando. I would work full time, five days a week, and go to school at night for four days. It was hard, especially being away from my family so much, but I was determined to achieve my goal.
After graduation, in 2019, I took state boards and became a licensed cosmetologist. I was really excited, but I did not have a plan on what exactly I wanted to do or how I would do it. Later that year with the birth of my second child and the world entering a pandemic and it seemed that I had to put a pause on my dreams. However, although I pressed pause, I was still working on a plan.
During the downtime I had due to the pandemic, I decided to continue expanding my knowledge by taking virtual classes to keep my skills up. During this time, I also started to shift my focus more to makeup rather than just hair. I loved how creative I could be with makeup and how it could be used to enhance the natural beauty that we already have. I then decided to take a class to sharpen my skills with the talented Kasandra Santiago who is an amazing artist and esthetician. She really helped me fine-tune my skills and gave me the confidence to step out. I started off by practicing with family and friends to help build my portfolio and to build my confidence. I recently started offering my services and practicing as a freelance artist. My business is called Glam by Liza. I provide makeup services for anything ranging from photo shoots, to birthdays, and special occasions.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think anytime you try to start your own business or something new there is always a difficulty. For me personally, I think the hardest thing is finding work-life balance. I still work full time, for now, I am a wife, a mom of two, and a makeup artist. It is definitely a lot to juggle, especially when you are still starting out and trying to build clientele. I always want to make sure I make time for my family, but I also want to ensure I am pouring into my business. Thankfully I have the most supportive husband who really helps me keep it all together. From keeping our home together when I am out to just being my support system and believing in me. He really makes it easy for me to chase my dreams.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional makeup artist and licensed cosmetologist. I specialize in soft and natural glam. I offer glam services for all occasions. I really love being able to create looks that empower and enhance the needs of my clients. My goal is to help my clients appreciate their beauty by creating looks that are specialized for them. My favorite part of any session is seeing the excitement on my client’s face after the big reveal. It is always my pleasure to be of service.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice for anyone starting out is to just go for it. I think the biggest and most important step is believing in yourself and making the decision to actively do it. I know for many of us it can be scary when you decide to try something new but take the leap of faith. You will never know unless you try.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @_glambyliza_
