Meet Trailblazer Gina Earles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Earles.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Gina. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started out just a girl working at a makeup counter wanting more but having no clue how to do it.

It was dumb luck that one of my first jobs was doing makeup at a department store making decent money right out of high school. I was going to school and working and began to fall in love with the beauty industry.

I began just doing basic makeup to sell and then was invited to walk in fashion shows (definitely not my thing, lol. I’m a tiny 5’2 chick) and being backstage doing makeup for beautiful women and feeling the excitement of it all.

I ended up meeting my husband and had to scale back from the fast-paced shows once I fell pregnant.
I was working on my business degree but felt like I needed something complete under my belt before my first child was born and stumbled upon the trade for aesthetics.

While pregnant, I took a break from my business degree and stopped working to attain my license in aesthetics.
I was pregnant and broke and going to school full time. It was a STRUGGLE!

My husband and I fought over finances constantly and I really had to push through to complete my program.
With three weeks left in my pregnancy, I walked and graduated from Xenon International Academy with education in aesthetics. I remember waddling down the stage like a tiny little chubby duck, so proud of myself!

Three weeks later, I welcomed my first son Makai into the world and my career took a long pause.
I felt with postpartum depression and separation anxiety so I refused to work or take my son to daycare so financially my husband and I suffered but I refused to work. That was an extremely difficult year for me. I hadn’t even tested to get my aesthetics license and I had only gone back to school online for business part-time.

After a year, my husband and I had a separation and I was forced to get back to the real world. I took my test, passed after three failed attempts and began working in a medical spa.

My best friend ran a daycare center and assured me my son was safe so I became a working woman again!
I enjoyed working in a medical setting but I missed the creative aspect of what brought me to where I was and began training with a few brands on the side for makeup again when I had time.

And then, I ended up pregnant with our 2nd son and our world turned upside down.
The medical spa I was with let me go when they learned of my pregnancy and I struggled to find work under my license after that because nobody wants to hire a pregnant medical aesthetician.

Of course, here we were again with me not working and having financial difficulties and my husband was feeling the pressure all over again.

It was such a hard time for us.
And then, our 2nd little son Meiko was approaching a year old, me with no job and wonder what I was going to do and I reconnected with a friend I had done to Xenon with.

She was AMAZING!
Her name was Lisa. She was a lash trainer, she had her own business, she was happy and seeing her gave me hope.
My birthday was approaching and my gift from my family was paying for my lash course with Lisa.

I got my kit in the mail and I was extremely excited.
And then, fake day one of training.

I left feeling so defeated and wanted to cry. I thought I had just wasted money! I couldn’t get the hang of it! My hands wouldn’t move like her hands. It took me so long to adhere an extension to someone’s lash.

Lisa swore I’d get better with practice.
Every day I was practicing.
I was seeking out anyone I could to allow me to practice on them.

One day, Lisa called me and said she needed help at her shop. It was just her and she was growing. Just needed help answering phones but I could practice with her!
I jumped at the opportunity.

For months, I cleaned and answered phones and booked her appointments and practiced as much as I could
I began to become more confident and my hands started to get more comfortable and I was attaching more extensions and getting better each day.

Then; I took my test after months and months and passed! I was a certified lash artist
Lisa gave me a job lashing next to her, I gained clients and gained a skill I’m so thankful for.

Working for Lisa was the best time working for anyone. We would watch family guy and laugh and listen to podcasts while lashing and making money and it felt like hanging with your best friend all day. I learned how to run a small business, I learned how to handle clients, I learned everything from Lisa. What she gave me was invaluable.
And then, I was big enough to go off on my own.

I was terrified!
But I was ready.
I found my little studio above a hair salon and the rest is history.
Blink Beauty Bar was born.
My baby..!
It was all mine.
I provide the services I want and work according to my schedule.
A year ago, we fell pregnant for the 3rd time. This time a girl!
For the first time ever I worked throughout my pregnancy.
For the first time ever, we didn’t struggle financially.
For the first time ever, we could be happy about welcoming a baby and not be terrified of not being able to afford anything.
I found a way to profit off of my passion. I’m one of the few minority-owned beauty bars in our area which makes me proud.
My mother is from the Philippines, grew up dirt poor and has always worked for someone else. She never wanted me to be in the beauty industry bc she didn’t see it as being successful.
Recently, she told me she was proud of me.
I built my little business on hopes and dreams and still am growing to this day. I’m thankful for those who helped me along the way

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Never give up and believe in yourself. I know it sounds cliche but too many times I thought of quitting because it’s a hard hit to feel defeated. I have failed so many times. Lost so many jobs, but gained experience through each obstacle. It shaped me. You’re supposed to fail. To be successful you have to be challenged. Be humble, be grateful but above all be fierce

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Blink Beauty Bar – what should we know?
I specialize in lash extensions and makeup. Soon, I will be a full-service spa offering full body waxing and facial services.

I’m most proud of my lash extension certifications because I’ve worked harder to gain this skill than any other skill. It’s not easy at all.

What sets me apart is you don’t see many people who look like me owning a beauty Bar here in Denver. As a woman of color, I go to other women of color for my beauty needs because I feel like there is an unspoken understanding of our needs because they truly are somewhat different. I specialize in the kind of lashes most artists turn away the kinky curly unruly lashes that other artists say can’t be lashed.

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
I believe if you are passionate enough someone will take you under your wing when they see your drive. I was fortunate enough to not only be mentored by the best in the business but to become best friends with my mentor as well.

Contact Info:

• Address: 7200 e dry creek rd d202 Centennial, CO 80112
• Website: Styleseat.com/blinkbeautybar
• Phone: 7205879433
• Email: blinkbeautybarlashes@gmail.com
• Instagram: Gina_blinkbeautybar
• Facebook: Blink Beauty Bar

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