Ani Alvarez
Owner – Specialized Trainer
My Story
When I was young I was an utter tomboy, to the extent that everyone thought I was a boy. Even though I was a tomboy, I desperately wanted people to know I was a girl.
Playing sports was an enormous part of my life, and has been most of my adult life too. I learned to do my makeup in high school, and felt more feminine and pretty when I had makeup on. After playing my games, I’d look like a mess with the sweat making it smear and run everywhere (making me look more like something out of a scary movie than a supermodel). I always wished there was a way to get it to stay where it belonged!
As An Adult
I’ve had self-esteem issues since I can remember, and I know how much better I feel about myself when my hair and makeup is done. It’s kind of like when Cinderella gets ready for the ball; she starts out in ragged clothes with her hair a mess, and transforms into the full beauty of a princess. That is what led me into the beauty industry. I have always relished in taking care of others and making them feel good about themselves, because who doesn’t like to feel like Cinderella?
That Entrepreneurial Spirit
My career in the beauty industry began as a hairstylist. The first 18 years I worked for other people, but I always had a burning desire to venture out on my own. After 18 years, I did just that; I finally owned my own hair salon. I am beyond proud of my salon, and my team of hairstylists.
My Revelation With Permanent Cosmetics
One hot summer day after being out on the softball field I ran into the bathroom, and my makeup was smeared all over my face. I was trying to clean it off when someone said something about permanent makeup. I never knew there was such a thing. So I did my research, and in my town of about 100k people there were only 2 people doing it! I thought, “WOW! I’d love to have it done.”
Already being in the beauty industry, my wheels started spinning about this concept. My internal dialogue went like this: There isn’t a salon on every corner offering it. It fits in with what I already do. It would be a great added service to what I already offer, and I could make women feel even more amazing.
Discovering My Passion
The more I researched, the more I knew this was destined to be my future. Cliche? Maybe, but when something catches your soul on fire, I don’t know what else to call that besides fulfilling your destiny. I saved as much as I could for the permanent cosmetics class and got a loan for the rest. I had to take 7 days off work without pay. At the time that was hard because I was single and trying to make ends meet on my own.
Once I learned how to do permanent cosmetics, my passion kept sprouting and multiplying. I couldn’t just stop at the basic class. I wanted to train and learn everything there was to know about permanent cosmetics. I wanted to be the best I possibly could be. That is why I have so many training certificates on my walls! Ask anyone about my Hall of Fame wall filled with certificates! The training became addicting (I am now a full-fledged permanent cosmetics junkie). I studied rigorously to become a CPCP (Certified Permanent Cosmetic Professional).
Later on I realized I’m only 1 of 6 in the state of Missouri, and the only one in Columbia. Also, I’m an immensely proud member of the SPCP (Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals). I have never loved doing something so much that I just couldn’t get enough training.
The Passion Keeps Growing
It turned out that I could never have too many certificates because I had, and still have, a serious love for learning. On one of my various learning opportunities, I discovered BTL and all the devices they had that empower people to change their face and their body. Emsculpt NEO caught my eye at first because I too, have always struggled with my weight and weight loss.
But then I heard about Emface. The Emface device allowed people to have their facial muscles and fat pads restructured to look just as they did when they were young. I couldn’t believe it. I had to have this device at my salon to help my clients improve their quality of life with this non-surgical option for restoring a youthful appearance.
Having the Emface and Exion has drastically altered how my clients feel about themselves inside and out. Eventually, I will add Emsculpt NEO into the mix, too because my only goal has always been to make people feel better any way I can!
Who Am I Outside of Work
When I’m not working, I am with my husband and our 4 dogs having fun at the lake. We are also into long drives on our motorcycles. My husband likes to joke around that I get my kicks off of yelling at him, but if he would just put up the rest of the certificates on my hall of fame wall, I think I would have it all!
I have found my passion, and purpose in life. I absolutely love making women’s lives easier, and letting them have more time to do other things; all while giving them more self-esteem along the way.
Ani Alvarez
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