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

Hi Esperanza, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting my own business is if I’m going to put in that work for someone else’s fulfillment, why shouldn’t I do it for myself? When I’ve worked for other businesses, it was almost like running my own small business inside a larger business. The experience prepared me for where I’m at now, I’m currently in the beginning stages of starting my own business. Once the dream comes to reality, I’ll be a traveling makeup artist helping others embrace their unique and bold beauty for any sort of event out there. My brand stands for exactly that; embrace unique beauty. I’ve seen so many brands in the beauty industry from the small businesses to the big name brands and I just feel like something is missing from majority of them whether it be diversity in products or diversity in models. I believe that the uniqueness that’s in everyone is what makes us beautiful and I want a brand that will inspire people to show that side.

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Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My designs are about embracing unique beauty, Im most proud of how I’ve inspired people to open up that sides of them. It excites me to see what people can come up with and I love when they want me to be a part of their vision.

A challenge I’ve faced from the beginning of starting my makeup artist career has been getting my name out there. I’ve tried all the tricks that they tell you will get your posts more exposure but the only thing I’ve seen work is never giving up. It sounds cheesy but you have to stay consistent and believe it’ll happen and hold on to that vision or it won’t. That along with balance has been my biggest lesson. Another big challenge has been being confident in what I put out, I’ve learned that being and artist you have to put out what YOU want to create rather than what everyone else wants or what’s trending. You have to stay true to yourself and keep that inner strength that believes you can do it.

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If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I just moved to the Phoenix area so I’m not super familiar with what’s here but I’m excited to see what’s there. My go to local place for a quick bite is Pete’s fish and chips in Glendale. I’ve seen some little shops and markets in that area that I would love to see too. One of my favorite places to go is the Phoenix Art Museum, I went once on a school field trip when I was younger and now I’ll go anytime I can. My favorite collection is Yayoi Kusama’s Fireflies infinity mirror room. I would love to see what the Museum of Illusions has inside, I’ve seen so many cool posts about it. There’s so many more places i want to visit like the Desert Botanical Gardens and Phoenix Herpetological sanctuary to meet their capybaras. I can’t wait to discover what restaurants and other neat little places the area has to offer! I recently tried an ice cream donut at Yonutz in desert ridge marketplace. Let me just say, if you have a sweet tooth you’ll LOVE those.

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Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My grandparents have always been my biggest supporters, from when I was little and just making my little paintings and when I was older and wanted to pursue a career in the beauty industry. My grandfather put me through beauty school which gave me a license that opened so many opportunities for me. My grandmother would help me alter clothes which opened up the door to wanting to design my own. Whenever I felt like giving up they were the ones to help me find the strength to build myself back up. “Keep your faith” “practice makes perfect” is what they always told me and its what keeps me going.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xrenaitrex?igsh=MTR3eXQzaWw0dGMwZw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EsperanzaVeronicaPope?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@xrenaitrex?_t=8mKEE2e99EV&_r=1

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Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.