Meet Kristllel Zavala | Esthetician & Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristllel Zavala and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristllel, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
After being laid off during the pandemic from the law firm I use to work for after being there for eight years, it made me realize at the end of the day everybody is replaceable and no matter how long you been somewhere a business that doesn’t appreciate you will truly just do what is best for them at the end of the day.

I never wanted to give a business I gave so much of my time and dedication the power to once again cut my income especially during a critical time in the world.

It made me realize I had to pursue what truly made me happy and take the risk of being fully in control when it came down to not only my true happiness but my income.

I thought why work so hard for a business who will not only take your health insurance during a global pandemic but also cut your income after not even haven taken a lost themselves in their business.

It was then I told myself it’s not going to be easy but life is all about taking risks. Believe in yourself more than ever and anything you work hard and want will come in time with hard work and dedication.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
After being laid off during a global pandemic I told myself I’ll never allow a business to leave me hanging with no health insurance and no income.

I knew it wasn’t going to be easy but I knew doing something I truly love would not only bring success if I worked hard for but would bring me true happiness into my heart. When you wake up to do a “job “ or “ work “ you love and enjoy, it stops feeling like a job/work and it’s almost as if life just gets better.

I wanted to wake up everyday and love doing something where it didn’t involve a desk and a computer. I wanted to meet women and help them enhance their beauty. I wanted to be that person they not only come get beauty services done by but that friend/ear they may need. Sometimes we don’t realize how lonely people may be and all they need is one person who will make them feel heard and/or show them they are there for them.

That is what sets me apart. I don’t look at clients as clients I have built relationships with 90% of the women I have met along the way. They’re not just a transaction to me. We share laughs, tears and friendships. They not only know they’re going to get an amazing service done by me but I am there for them as a friend. We can either chat away or you can come take a nap while I service you. I love waking up and going to “work” I get to hang out with different friends everyday.

It wasn’t easy to get where I am today and I’m still not where I want to be. I had a lot of meltdowns along the way. There were many times I just wanted to give up and return to what I knew my 9-5. Working for yourself is very rewarding but it’s not easy. When I first started I would work 10-12 hours a day. There was no room to turn down a client. I was not only working long hours but I was promoting myself left and right and I had to take care of all the backends like inventory, booking, rescheduling etc. It wasn’t easy. Even when I was off I still was doing something to improve my business.

I started as just an esthetician making errors along the way. I told myself I would be one of the best. I told myself to always provide my clients with the same quality if not better every time they returned. I know what it feels like to go somewhere and once they feel you are their client they stop showing the same results or effort . I never wanted any of my clients to feel like that.

I now also have become an educador in this industry. I teach courses to estheticians/cosmetologist or soon to be. I want women to succeed and know that when they come take a course by me your success matters to me. It’s hard finding women in this industry who want to see you win. It’s a very competitive industry. A lot of jealousy is in it. Finding the right mentor or courses that don’t just want your money is hard to find. I’ve taken courses where once I paid them I never was able to get access to them again when it came down to questions. Which is why when I decided to become an educator/trainee I knew my students would always be a main and only priority. My students know I am always here for you and always will be. Any question you may ever have I will always be there to help you. Lifetime mentorship is what it is all about. I will always cheer for you.

I still have a lot of goals I want to accomplish but in the 3.5- 4 years I have to give myself some credit I’ve had some amazing success. I am so thankful to GOD. Coming from an immigrant family and being an immigrant yourself life could be that much harder.

With dedication and hard work anything is possible. Your vision is YOURS. Family & friends may doubt you but don’t give up and work hard and know the support will come from strangers. Don’t let the lack of support from family or those you call friends discourage you from going forward. My clients were all strangers. The people you think will support you will not and that’s okay because that pushes you to work harder and grind!

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?
There are two people in my life who have played such a huge role when it comes to my success.

The first one being my husband, Brandon. He was the only person in my corner who truly believed in me even before I believed in myself. He saw me at my lowest and pushed me into truly believing I was capable of doing anything in this world. He took me out my comfort zone. I wanted to return to the regular 9-5 world and he would always tell me I was meant to do more. His true support and love helped me to not only not want to let myself down but I wanted to show him he was right I could do anything. I could never thank him enough for seeing what I didn’t see in myself, his support has and will always play a huge role in my success.

The second person being one of my best friends, Jessica. Every single time I had a life meltdown she was there to encourage me into not wanting to give up. Whenever I had a question when it came down to business we would figure it out together or she would figure it out for me and come with a game plan. I am forever thankful to have such a genuine friend in my life who truly wanted to see me succeed.

Instagram: Kristllelsworld