We had the good fortune of connecting with Lina Zuniga and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After working in the corporate world, and getting let go unexpectedly one day from my two-year position in accounting working for a mid-sized company, I came to the realization that I wanted to work for myself. That’s what inspired me to start my own business. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I had the drive to be my own boss. Makeup became my passion and developing my business skills have become my priority.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I believe my work ethic is what sets me apart from others. I am most proud of how far I’ve come along and I am excited about the endless ideas and projects that I have in mind. For example, I just launched my very own digital beauty magazine “Lina Zuniga Makeup” and it’s been keeping me quite busy. When you are passionate about what you do, it really doesn’t even feel like work!
My journey as a makeup artist has been an extremely fulfilling one but not always an easy one. I was laid off from my corporate job when I was 25 with no warning, no severance, nothing! I then decided to become a freelance makeup artist so that I wouldn’t have to work for anyone ever again and for once be in control of my career and my life. At the time, I didn’t know anyone in the beauty industry, had no connections and no one to guide me through this world of entrepreneurship. I got here professionally by not taking “no” for an answer, by working tirelessly and challenging myself to learn new things on my own.
The most important thing I’ve learned is that hard work exceeds talent and that you can have whatever you want as long as you are willing to work for it.
When people think Lina Zuniga Makeup as a brand I wan’t them to think “sexy”, “fun”, and “chic”. I am having fun making women feel confident and empowered in a time when women are playing such a prominent role in today’s society. I love helping women feel sexy because when you feel good, you exude confidence and I love to make people feel fabulous!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am from Miami so the list of places to visit is endless! I would have to start off with some fun in the sun for sure! A beach day at South Point Beach followed by lunch at either Nikki Beach or Joia- a gorgeous outdoor restaurant in Miami. The nighttime scene in Miami is all about good music and good vibes so I would probably take my friend to Komodo Lounge in Brickell for dinner and drinks.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family. Success doesn’t happen in isolation. And although I never really had a mentor, I could have never achieved this level of success without the support of my family. Being self-employed and a full time single mom comes with its own challenges. Especially as a single mother trying to make it in this industry, I couldn’t have achieved this level of success without them helping to take care of my son while I worked long hours day after day, year after year. My family has been on this journey with me since the very beginning and for that I am grateful.
Website: www.linazunigamakeup.com
Instagram: linazunigaofficial
Facebook: Lina Zuniga Makeup
Youtube: Lina Zuniga Makeup
Other: www.linazuniga.com (my portfolio)
Image Credits
Tymica Martin @ty_hair_ Angelo Lumas @zavierdeangelo Hassni @styledbyhassni Monique Gonzalez @heresmomo Nathalie Paris @nathalieparis Nellie @nl.brl