We recently had the chance to connect with Maneca Gonzalez and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Maneca, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
What really surprised me about my clients was realizing that they weren’t just looking at reviews and finding the best products or services. They wanted to work with someone they like, which means actually connecting with them. I saw an increase in booking my dream clients when I started sharing on social media and showing behind the scenes of what it actually looked like for us to work together.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Maneca (I also go by Neca) and I’m a beauty entrepreneur. After getting my Esthetician license, a certification in skincare, I went on to doing makeup, lashes, and even created an online store. Eventually I founded a bridal hair and makeup agency with a team of stylists to work luxury events.
Something unique about me is that I’m also a military spouse which has meant rebuilding my network, brand, and clients multiple times and in different states!
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I spent a lot of time with my grandmother growing up and she saw first hand my entrepreneurial spirit. I used documents she had from work and played office, I resold cheap items to family friends, and even pretended to have shopping center of different businesses in her house. She always took interest in me being so imaginative and encouraged me to pursue whatever I wanted. As I got older and started my beauty career, she was someone I regularly talked to about business and made it clear how proud she was of me.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could, I’d tell my younger self not to make big decisions based on fear. There were clubs I didn’t join and teams I never tried out for simply because I was scared of doing something different. As an adult that turned into opportunities that were missed because I didn’t push through the discomfort. Some of the most important things I’ve learned later in life especially as a small business owner is that growth truly happens when you are uncomfortable and you can’t allow emotions to stop you.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie from business owners and entrepreneurs is the idea of being self made. You can not do business alone! At some point you need those connections with others in your industry, you need your customer and client base, you also need mentorship and community. It’s not a flex to discredit those who’ve supported you by saying you’ve done it alone.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I believe I’m doing what I was born to do which is to inspire and empower others. To me that means that even as I pivot and enter different chapters of my career, I can still stay true to my personal mission.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beautyvibesartistry.com
- Instagram: beautyvibesartistry
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/maneca-gonzalez
- Other: https://instagram.com/thaglamhippie
Image Credits
Thaly Creative
Titus Moye
