Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristal Walker.
Hi Cristal, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was raised in the beauty industry, so it’s no surprise to those that watched me grow up that I would somehow end up in it. My mother was a single mother until I was the age of 5 and I spent all my time in the salon.
She’s a hairdresser of 41 years now and 3rd generation self-made businesswoman. I didn’t always want to be in this industry, I actually went to college to be an engineer, and then in my 3rd year, while studying aboard, I changed my major to Women’s Studies. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life but had a clear vision of how I wanted to live it.
Engineering to Women’s Studies!? Crazy, I know. My favorite subject has always been math especially geometry, so therefore I chose Engineering. But I came to notice this reoccurring trend in the classes I chose, I was either the only girl or 1 of 3 max.
This was also common for me in high school when my electives were architecture and electronics. So when I realized how much this bothered me, I decided to switch to Women’s Studies/Gender Studies in hopes of it being the first step to leading me to help women feel empowered. Fast forward this marks my 20th year anniversary of being in the beauty industry! In high school, my mom made me go to beauty school so I could make money while living in the dorms. Then while attending St. Mary’s College of California, I discovered MAC Cosmetics and ended up working for them for 7 years while traveling northern California for them.
And then I fell in love with my husband of 10 years whose military career has allowed us to travel the world, live in Japan, and now Jacksonville. Although I didn’t plan to be in the beauty industry, I can’t imagine anything else. It’s in my blood and I couldn’t run away from it. I have made my own rules, created a career that allows me to travel and spend time with my two beautiful children all while empowering women. What else could I ask for?
During those 20 years, my business has definitely evolved and changed but my love for helping women feel beautiful in their skin has always been true. And when my family asks how I use my degree in my business, I joke and tell them I use my geometry skills in designing the perfect brows for Women to enhance their natural beauty lol.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My biggest obstacle was been my own imposter syndrome. My first initial response to this question was going to be, being a military spouse. The constant relocation hasn’t been the easiest when trying to build up a service-based business.
But the opportunities and the growth that have come with these experiences are irreplaceable. Before moving to Jacksonville we were stationed in Japan for 3 years where I got to keep running my business while raising my newborn. Living abroad did not stop me from flying back and forth to California to run my bridal beauty business.
With all the moves, the most challenging part has been constantly pivoting. Adapting and tweaking my business to better serve the local community.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Sole owner and artist for Cristal Walker Beauty LLC Modern Day Beauty Services
Enhancing your natural beauty with noninvasive modern techniques. Specializing in Brows.. permanent makeup and micro-blading removal and correction/coverups. Other services I provide: Permanent makeup (brows, liner, freckles, lip blush, tattoo removal), brow shaping/tinting, Lash lift/tints, Facials, Fibroblast skin tightening treatments, Bridal Hair, and makeup services.
How do you define success?
Close your eyes and imagine yourself in a world where you didn’t have to wake up and live your life by someone else’s rules, no money worries, no societal norms, a life with a blank slate where you write your own story. A limitless world filled with happiness, what does that look like to you? Now pause… how does it feel?
Success to me is being able to create exactly that.
I’m a firm believer we can manifest anything we want. As mentioned before, I never had a clear vision of what I wanted to do with my life, no clear vision of a career. I just knew how I wanted to live it. I believe it’s important to pause and show gratitude and be open to accepting these amazing gifts life has to give.
I knew I always wanted to live near the water. Married a navy boy. Didn’t want to work a 9-5 created my own business. Wanted to travel the world… create a business that allows me to do destination weddings and pop-ups throughout the states. Wanted the freedom to be flexible with my schedule to be able to be there for my children. I’m my own boss.
Didn’t want to have a boss. I’m my own boss. Empowering Women. I have extensive training in multiple beauty techniques to be able to provide each person who sits in my chair, with a solution. So how do I define success?
By being able to cross everything off your checklist while leaving a smile on everyone’s face as you do it. This is what makes me a modern-day boss babe.
Contact Info:
- Email: cristalwalkerbeauty@gmail.com
- Website: www.cristalwalker.com
- Instagram: @cristalwalkerbeauty
Image Credits
WOJ Walls of Jerico
