Meet Leslie Hernandez | CEO

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

Hi Leslie, how do you think about risk?
I think risk is the impulse that made everything man made happen. Everything around us exists because someone had the courage to take the leap on an idea and make it happen with action. Risk is for the bold and brave that have a bigger vision in life. Risk is an extension of confidence and both of them are like exercising. You have to keep doing it to build muscle until you reach a high risk tolerance. As a risk taker I create a life on my own terms where I expand my capacity and by thinking of the big picture I don’t stay stuck in one thing too long if it´s not working. Playing it safe is more dangerous because it creates a life of uncertainty and apathy. I prefer to have to ability to shift and make changes, even if it feels destabilizing at the beginning because the impact of failure just lasts for a moment, but the regret can last for a lifetime. More is lost by indecision than wrong decision. The biggest risk I´ve taken was moving from Mexico to Dallas. I closed my 10 year old beauty salon and start all over again in Dallas when I opened my own makeup and hair studio in North Dallas. It is still the best decision I´ve done in my life and to this day I don´t regret the difficulties of starting in a new country and building my clientele from scratch. I didn´t consider myself a beginner because I brought my experience in managing a business, dealing with clients, and my core values that helped me create a successful business in Mexico.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Backstage was inspired by the energy and excitement that build up before your WOW moment. Backstage is the most desirable chair for any women. It’s all about getting pampered. When someone’s makeup is complete, they have that moment of finding themselves in the mirror and thinking “there she is!” Being at Backstage is knowing that when the process comes to an end you will look good, you will feel good, and the world reacts to you in a different way. What sets me apart is the connection with my clients. I love working with women and helping them be more of what they already are. When you have your hands literally on someone else, they can feel your intentions. People can tell if you are working in the moment to create the best look for their bone structure and eye shape, just as they can tell if you are going through the motions doing the same tired look on every face you encounter. As a makeup artist I have to replenish my client and build her confidence. I love to see a client leave my chair, look in the mirror and smile back at herself. There’s a body language that goes with confidence. If she throws her shoulders back and holds her head high when she leaves then I know I did my job well. Either luck or faith had played a big part of my life and my business since I started at 19 years old with my first venture. I was lucky or blessed to grow up in a family of entrepreneurs. Goals and high aspirations were always a topic in the table. I learned that hard work and consistency pays off and pays well. Growing up in an entrepreneurial home taught me to manage difficult situations and not allow setbacks to affect me emotionally. It’s not easy. This is not an industry where you just sit around and talk about what you want – you have to go out and get it. Before putting myself out there I had to decide my aesthetics. What makes me unique and differentiate from the rest. Deciding and staying true to my definition of beauty makeup in the Instagram era can be a struggle sometimes. With social media being so important in how people perceive beauty, there has been a move towards “over doing it”. I like to retain my client’s very own beauty with flawless skin, seamless contours, highlights, and corrections. I believe that my client should look perfected and flawless where you can see the effect of the makeup, but not the makeup. The steps that I took to get you there should not be obvious. It a secret between me and my client. Backstage is more than just makeup, we are a community, a mindset, a way of life. It´s believing in yourself and having the confidence to chase your dreams. We are encouragers. We believe that our Backstage Girls (clients) have everything within themselves to achieve their biggest desires and can figure out anything they need to learn and won’t give up.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite spots in the city for a stroll are Klyde Warren Park, Trinity Groves, and Downtown. My favorite restaurants are Velvet Taco and Hard Eight to get the Texan experience. Bishop Arts is also a district to walk around and take photos and do restaurant hoping and grab a bite from the many restaurants in the area.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give Backstage´s CFO Felipe Castruita a shout out. We share the same vision for Backstage.

Website: https://www.backstage.life/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backstage.life/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/backstagemakeup/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/backstage__girl
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backstagemakeupdfw/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwB1vr1K_Z2lj40pJqYTt6w
Other: https://g.page/backstagemakeupdallas?share https://www.instagram.com/backstage.training/

Image Credits
Felipe Castruita @felipe_photographer