Meet Lina Rodriguez | Bridal Artist & Entrepreneur

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

Hi Lina, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve always had the certainty of having my own business. I grew up watching the most amazing parents paving a way for themselves and their five children in a foreign country and I knew I was standing on a platform that most people didn’t have. My parents always taught us the power that there was in the freedom to control your own time and be able to choose what you invest your energy into. My goal was to find a business I could invest my energy into that would be rewarding and allow me the opportunity to enjoy different aspects of my life. In elementary school, I started a business selling origami frogs and from there, developed a business selling their “homes” and accessories. I find joy in generating something that is valuable, whether it be frogs for fifth graders or at this point, providing styling services for brides on the most important day of their lives. There is always opportunity if you look for it and are willing to put yourself out there.
I was so grateful to find an opportunity within the creative world that allows me to work, bring joy to my clients, and still allows me to control my time and energy. I don’t just “do hair” or “do makeup”. I have the opportunity of supporting brides and their families in what can be a stressful time and reminding them of their beauty, and the beauty of marriage.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’ll never understand why being a hair and makeup artist has been looked down on for so long. Getting out of high school, I dove into cosmetology school and had such an amazing time developing a creative gift I had never invested in. When you dive into the industry, you realize you’re learning and taking part in such a large, diverse, and complex world and it was a great opportunity to learn the basics of things I wasn’t even interested in. The science, math, and emotional intelligence it takes to be an artist is highly under-appreciated and I’m glad I had the best of both worlds.

I had the opportunity to study through the traditional college route and learn different business fundamentals from my Business Marketing degree. I had always been great at the traditional educational system and I realized while there were great values to take, I knew I wanted to pursue my own business in beauty.
I’d love for people to understand the level of effort it takes to work with so many complex and different personalities. There is so much beauty and science that it takes to understand different skin, shapes, textures, and cultures that I feel like working with clients has expanded my world all from a few hours sitting with clients.
In starting my business, I was initially confronted with so much fear and imposter syndrome. You can feel like you’re good at something and the moment you look on the internet there is always someone better and it’s easy to feel small. I had to remind myself that I have something special to offer and I will always strive to provide an amazing experience for my clients, I’ve found that being bilingual has helped to make families feel more comfortable. I am able to take on larger parties, and with my Colombian background I can apply some of the family values I know to be true and help my brides navigate moms, mother in laws, and share the little hacks I’ve learned along the way. I want all my clients to remember that there is no need to be a Pinterest post that has been edited, or fit a certain mold for their wedding. I’m there to remind them how amazing they are, bring our their natural beauty and make them feel like the best glam version of themselves. I’ve learned that there is such a great value in being honest with clients and let them know if their expectations aren’t realistic or need to be adapted for their lifestyle. I’ve learned that saying no is a great way to open doors for new opportunities and helps people value you and what you have to offer. I may not be the stylist for everyone and that’s ok. I have so much to learn in my industry but I also know I have so much to bring to the table. I want my clients to feel the peace of having someone in their corner and know that I’m grateful to be a part of their story.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh boy, this one is tough. I’m very much a family and food oriented person so we’d definitely be eating way too much with our friend group. On a weekday, we’d visit my family and have the best home made meal you’ve ever had. During the week its nice to take it easy so we’d likely hang out and go to Lifetime. This is the best of mosts worlds so we can get a workout in, some pool time, and enjoy the sauna and steam room. Going out to eat, we’d check out Spicy Basil and head to Bardo’s coffee after that for the best latte ever. If they’re looking for something sweet, we can check out Sweet Action Ice cream, Bonnie Brae Ice Cream or La Flor de Michoacán in Thornton. For one of my favorite taco spots, we’d head out late night to Los Gallitos for some tacos and my favorite salsa. We’d visit my friends at Tacos El Metate for the best fish and shrimp tacos you’ll ever have in your life. If you’re interested in experiencing a different culture, we can have some Venezuelan food with Arepas CO. On the weekend, we’ll gather some friends and head to a hike. There are so many gorgeous views in Colorado so you really can’t go wrong with any option. Boulder and Golden are great for a chill hike and then enjoying the city after. If you’re feeling up for a challenge, I’d even join you to do the Manitou Incline. This is such a rewarding hike and the way down is so beautiful and makes all the hard work worth it. To wind down at the end of the night, we’ll gather the group to play some Catan, Blitz, and hangout until late night. For me life isn’t just about what you do, but who you do it with and I love enjoying these places with my favorite humans!

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 is a world of people that have supported me to get me where I am today. I’d like to shout out to my amazing family and friends that inspire me on a daily basis to live big and live beautifully. I’m surrounded by dreamers that have taught me to work hard and work smart. They have been my models when I knew just about nothing in hairstyling and have always supported my dreams. My family is the group of people behind the scenes, designing web pages, sharing all the social media posts, and washing makeup brushes late at night on fully booked weekends. They are the ones who hype me up when I’m feeling down and remind me to post on social media when I’m slacking. It’s a scary world to start a business and sometimes feel like you don’t measure up. I’ve been blessed to have so much love in my corner and it pushes me to be better daily. There is so much to thank them for but for now, all I can say is that I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am if it weren’t for their support.
I’d also like to thank my amazing clients that have fueled my love for this industry since day one. My clients place their trust in me to not only bring their vision to life but also to support them through life changes big and small. They remind me how beautiful the world can be and root for me even after their weddings or life events. My clients bring out my talkative side and make long hours feel like minutes!
Overall, I have been so blessed by the people I have in my life and know that it wouldn’t be the same if it were for the grace of God in my life. I’m excited to see where this journey leads and I hope to be light everywhere I go.

Website: https://linamarcelabeauty.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linamarcelabeauty/?r=nametag

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Linamarcelabeauty/

Image Credits
Kasitimbay Photography, Halo Creations, run.wild.with.me, Selena Suzanne Photography.