Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Dziak.
Hi Gina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a graduate of Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s in Spanish and Public Administration as well as a Masters in Organizational Development and Leadership. I had my sights on working for a nonprofit organization, but when the opportunities came my way, I chose to pass on a nonprofit organization position in order to work in college admissions for Strayer University instead. Beyond that job, I worked for Sylvan Learning Center managing the staff of educators as well as administering the daily testing of children and creating programs for them to help bridge the gaps in their reading and/or math skills. After years in the office and thoughts of starting a family, I opted to take an online position with a small internet startup company that gave me the opportunity to work from home part time. Two years later, I became a proud stay-at-home mom when our son was born. I loved that role (as exhausting and thankless it could be) and continued in it through the birth of our daughter for a total of six years. As much as I loved my newest role, I began to daydream of a life where I could make a living using my college degrees AND continue to be the primary parent handling all the appointments, activities, school, etc. After all, millions of people figure out how to do this every day. I knew I did not want to return to the “rat race” way of life so I had to figure out what I could do to suit my new career aspirations.
I pondered whether I could make it as an entrepreneur and of what kind of business? How would I gain clientele knowing very few people in our area and juggle the needs of my family, especially the two toddlers— one of whom would barely leave my side for a moment. The mountain seemed to be getting bigger by the day in my mind and even harder to climb knowing my husband and I had no family around to assist us with our children in any way.
I knew I wanted to start a business so that I could be close to my children in both proximity and with the flexibility to handle all the inevitable sick days, sports, etc. while also nurturing the side of me that was creative, ambitious and wanting to contribute to our family financially too.
I like to tell people that that’s when I began to come out of my “new mom fog.” Yes, it truly took me until my daughter was 3 and my son was 5 to get a little “me” back. I joined a book club and met a bunch of fun, intelligent women who could relate to the phase of life I was in because they were in it too. It was a way to be social once a month, get back to reading books for fun and wear something other than yoga pants that became my go-to attire in those early years at home with my kids. At one of the book club nights, a few ladies were talking to me about my makeup and hair and complimenting how good it looked. One even asked me if I’d consider doing her makeup for an event she had coming up. And that was the night a lightbulb went off in my head. Maybe I had something here. I began researching all about makeup artistry and finding out that I didn’t need a license to be a makeup artist in MD. By chance, I met three local photographers through book club who encouraged me to just do it after a very late night talking about it.
Shortly afterwards, I began signing up for makeup classes through talented artists in MD and NJ. I worked my very first wedding alongside 2 talented artists with years of experience in the bridal and makeup industries. Four months later, I worked my first wedding as a solo artist in business. It was a whirlwind of anxiety and nonstop practice on friends and family leading up to that wedding and afterwards. I would offer services for free in exchange for advertisements and word of mouth referrals.
In that first year, I realized how difficult it is to be a solo artist when you have very little clientele and not a whole lot of opportunities to meet new people as a stay-at-home mom.
I began to research what else I could do to bring in more clients. That’s when I became a certified lash artist and began offering lash services. In no time, the lash side of my business was booming…until the pandemic hit and shut us all down. As many people did, I feared that my small business might not be able to come back from that and would not survive the pandemic.
I began researching cosmetology and esthetics schools in the area and ultimately decided to attend esthetics school and became a licensed esthetician. To me, learning all about skin would help me become the best makeup artist I could be and would also give me more services to offer to my clients. It worked! I’ve been the owner and solo artist of Gina Marie Beauty, LLC since 2018.
None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of my husband, Anthony. He has encouraged me every step of the way on this business journey along with family and a small group of friends cheering me on both locally and from afar. In the very beginning, most of my models/clients were family, friends and acquaintances. All of whom I am forever grateful for in those early days and beyond.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Overthinking—
I’m a classic over-thinker who can talk myself out of things pretty easily if I’m not careful. Mom guilt is real and it’s laid on pretty thick by society and other moms. It did not take me long to question how I would start a business, gain clientele and juggle the needs of my family, especially my children. After all, my son was only in kindergarten and my daughter had barely begun pre-school. The mountain seemed even harder to climb knowing my husband and I had no family to help us with our children in any way since they lived in other states. Daycare was not an option for us as any extra money would need to be thrown into my new business.
How to get clients—
In that first year, I realized how difficult it is to be a solo artist when you have very little clientele. Building a professional makeup artist kit is expensive and I was spending any money coming in on more of it to ensure I had enough to accommodate any client. I began to research what else I could do to bring in more clients. That’s when I learned about the world of lash extensions! I signed up for a 2-day course, became a certified lash artist and began offering lash services alongside my makeup services. In no time, the lash side of my business was booming…until the pandemic hit and shut us all down.
Juggling Clients and small children—
This is where I have to talk about the support system that showed up in my life in so many ways. Two of the photographers who encouraged me to start my business were also relatively new in their own business journeys with small children the same ages as mine. Their husbands also worked long hours so we began taking turns to watch each other’s kids so that we could take clients and know our children were in good hands while we worked. This meant that when we weren’t working we had 6 kids at home instead of 2. Lucky for all of us the kids had a blast together making it so much easier than it could have been. Another longtime friend of mine would also spend time with my children as my business began to grow even more. This support not only helped me succeed as a business owner, but solidified to me that when women support other women we are unstoppable.
The Pandemic Shutdown—
As many people did, I feared that my small business might not be able to come back from the shutdown and would not survive the pandemic. To make things more complicated, there were other artists out there willing to risk it all still taking clients that made my fear of losing my clients altogether even higher. Still, I did what was right and stayed closed. Most of my clients returned upon the shutdown being lifted. In the fall of 2020, with the support and encouragement of my husband I made the decision to enroll in The Esthetic Institute to become a licensed Esthetician in 2021. This would not have been possible without my newly retired in-laws who drove 6+ hours weekly to stay with my children during my class days throughout the entirety of my program.
Perfectionism—
To date, I still get in my own way from time to time because I want everything to be perfect. I want every client to feel amazing when they leave my studio because not only does my work mean so much to me, but the people I see (my clients) mean more. I view my role as an esthetician/lash and makeup artist as a way of making women remember who they are, reminding them to show up for themselves in the way they do for others and proudly watching them walk out with more confidence and glow than they came in with each time.
Social Media—
I have such a love/hate relationship with all things social media. Love—funny reels/memes, inspiring stories and cute animal videos. Hate—it is filled with negativity, toxic people/stories/messages. It’s a time suck and takes me away from what’s important to me: being present with family/friends, feeling productive and real. It’s not something I want to spend my time doing as a business owner. I want to spend my time and effort on my actual clients and the services I provide, rather than recording videos of myself/clients doing things to entertain online followers. That said, I see the value in it as a business owner as a way for new clients to find me and it is something I am trying to find the right balance of in 2026.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a licensed esthetician specializing in facials, makeup, lashes and wax services in New Market, Maryland.
My makeup services include: bridal, boudoir, photoshoots, special occasions and tutorial classes. My current favorite is working with mothers and daughters on finding the right makeup looks for their individual needs and styles. I have had several tween/teen small group makeup classes as well as facial parties.
I offer customized facials and lash extensions, lash lifts, brow and wax treatments.
My clientele ranges in age from 11-85+. There is truly something for everyone at Gina Marie Beauty.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Books—I’m an avid reader of rom-com type books as well as thrillers and memoirs. I appreciate anyone willing to show the raw side of life even when it may shine them in a bad light. I dive into most genres though as reading is one of my favorite things to do in my free time.
Apps—Spotify for music, audiobooks and podcasts. I could never get through a workout without my playlists! Insight Timer is a current favorite for meditation and setting intentions for my day. I also love Skylight to manage our family calendar because life is crazy with work and kids’ sports! Instagram keeps me connected to family and friends typically through stories and sharing ridiculous and hilarious reels/memes.
Podcasts—Armchair Expert (proud arm cherry here!), Smartless, Good Hang. I don’t listen regularly, but when I do, these are my go-to podcasts.
Pricing:
- All pricing is on my website and Vagaro.com/ginamariebeauty
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ginamariebeautyandlashes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gina.mariebeauty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ginamariebeautyandlashes
- Other: https://www.vagaro.com/ginamariebeauty
