Meet Stephanie Pineda | Brow & Makeup Artist

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

Hi Stephanie, what role has risk played in your life or career?
The fear of taking risk has played a major role. But once I was able to let go of the fear of failure I began to take risk. I remember the day I decided I was going to open up my own business, my back was against the wall and I made the decision to overcome that fear and went for it. I knew it was going to be hard, but I was willing to take the risk. Taking these risk in owning my own business has allowed me to be able to have a schedule that allows me to tend to my children. As a single mom of 3 ,it was hard working a 9-5 job. In 2017 I was let go from a job because I didnt have anyone to care for my kids so that I could work. I would look for jobs that would allow me to have my children there. Sometimes working night jobs so that I could be there for them in the mornings and after school. At times I have doubt and feel I am not where I should be in my business but then that all goes away when I think about how my hard work and dedication will payoff. Now I look at risk taking as an opportunity for growth, and accepting that sucess always involves risk. I took a chance in myself by investing my time into my craft , money, and effort. Learning to be confident in myself has also given me the courage to face risk and act when opportunity comes. I tell myself that ; no one is going to force success upon me. If I dont take the steps, or stop before I’ve arrived to where I feel I’m in a good place in my business, no one will be to blame but me. I feel like we will find success only to the level of risk we are willing to take. So the bigger the risk the more successful you’ll be.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been doing makeup for many years! Way before Youtube and I started doing permament makeup for brows in 2018. As a little girl I remember watching my mom put on her lipstick and paint her nails. I would tell her to lay down and let me put makeup on her . My love for makeup started when I was a teenager. Although I didnt wear makeup at the time , I loved putting makeup on other girls. I’ve done makeup for quinceñeras , weddings, babyshowers, birthdays, prom, graduations & halloween costume makeup. After doing someones makeup I get so excited to see their reaction afterwards. I take so much pride in my work and continue to get better every day. In May 2002 I graduated with my cosmetology license, but as a young mother at the age of 18 out of high school I made the decision to take a job off and stability to support my daughter. I stayed at that job for almost 12 years. Through out those years I felt an emptiness inside me, like something was missing. Through out those 12 yrs I would still do makeup and hair on my friends and family and even at work. I would cut my coworkers hair in the bathroom or do lashes in my office during my lunch break . I would look down from the 18th floor and watch the city moving and feeling like there was more to my story. Although I am so grateful for my job at the time I didnt see myself retiring from there in 30 yrs. That job was a blessing and put me in the position to be able to follow my dream. Now 19 yrs later I am going to retake my cosmetology exam along with my daughter who has graduated this year from the same program I took when I was her age. It has not been easy , there has been many obstacles getting to where I am at, and there is still more to go.

I get the question alot of how I came up with my brand name ,Pretty Mugg Brows and Beauty which was established in 2018; In Houston we have a slang term “Mean Muggin’ meaning a serious, mad, straight face. Now days they call it the RBF  I would get that alot growing up and as an adult. But that was just me being an introvert, a strong minded Latina Boss . So basically Pretty Mugg means Pretty Face.

Through out these past 20 years I’ve learned that nothing ever goes as you plan it, if it is not Gods plan for you. We make all these plans for our life and sometimes they do not go as planned, but the dreamer always finds a way back to their hearts desires. I am so excited for this new chapter in my life to be able to build a business with my daughters and grow together. I am so proud to be able to share this with them and set them up with family business, of course with God blessing.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Sunday Funday , We’re having brunch at Toute Suite Downtown after church then I would take them to the beach in Galveston.

Mondays we would go have a picnic at Memorial Park

Tuesdays we would go do Yoga at Discovery Green

Wednedays we would go dancing bachata at Henke and Pilot Dowtown

Thursdays We would go bike riding through the lovely streets of downtown , enjoying the city lights.

Friday We’re enjoying one of my favorite restaurants with some good Cuban food and wine at Cafe Piquet

Saturday I would take them to the museum district

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My daughters are my motivation and my support. My oldest daughter has been my rock! My right hand, shes had to make sacrifices as well in order for me to continue building a business. My ultimate goal is to have them run the business with me. I am the only person in my family to ever start a business and I am doing it for them. I am building from scratch , no generstional wealth, no business guidance. Ive watched my parents struggle but make the most of it. I owe my “Si Se Puede” attitude to my mother. Ive watched her and heard her say it lots of times. Where there’s a will theres a way. Figuring things out on my own in opening my business has been hard but so worth it. As I learn to achieve the success I desire I must find peace of mind, aquire the knowledge and materials needed in life and above all attain happiness. And thats what I hope to pass on to my girls, generational wealth, not only finacially but spiritually and mentally.

Website: www.pmbrowsandbeauty.com

Instagram: prettymuggbrows

Facebook: prettymuggbrows