Life is not always what you expect – it is made up of the most unexpected twists and turns. Sometimes you just have to follow where life seems to take you. Makeup artist and business owner of “Glowbar by Cyn” Cyn Sacramento is a great example of that.
Originally from Chicago, Ill., Sacramento attended the City College of Chicago where she obtained her radiologic technologist degree. She worked a combined 15 years in radiology and cardiac procedures at a local hospital. Because her job was so stressful, she used her talent for makeup as an outlet and began taking classes.
“I started taking classes for something to do outside of work and just fell in love with it. It gave me that peace of mind that I needed," she said.
Last year, Sacramento was laid off from work, and while she was glad to be home to spend quality time with her children, they were still having difficulty making ends meet. That is when her luck started changing.
“I went back to work in the summertime as a makeup artist to make some money while I was off. Long story short, I was asked if I was interested in opening my own makeup studio by my landlord. She remembered I did makeup and had seen me with my clients in the party room at our apartment complex. There was a large room available in the building and she asked if I would want to rent the room for my makeup business. When I received my stimulus check, I used that to invest in myself and my business," she said.
In a short time, Sacramento was trained in teeth whiting and microblading to add to her long list of credentials. Along the way, she added employees who specialized in various skillsets to her growing business as many were looking for a studio to work out of. In a short span of three months, from November to February, her business grew from three to nine employees.
“Word spread. We were basically overworked because of how many customers we were getting. Now here I am, not even a year later, and I am the owner of a fully functioning beauty bar with employees that are independently licensed. I can’t stress enough that this all just fell into my lap. It was never my intention, but I believe that when things are going bad, God is able to turn it all around," she said.
When asked who has influenced her and why, Sacramento was quick to answer that her middle son, who tragically passed away at the age of three in a fatal car accident.
“He changed my life forever," she said. "I think starting my business was the other part of getting out of the hospital and searching for a hobby at the time. I was getting through my grief and trying to find things that occupied my mind. I’ve always done a lot of charity work and things in his memory. I remain committed to following my dream and helping others do the same because he will never get to do that. I believe it’s important to do what you love. You should be happy and cherish every moment.”
Sacramento and her family have called Whiting, Indiana, home for the past six years.
“I really love Whiting, I really do. Coming here was probably the best thing for myself and my kids – it changed our lives. The community is family oriented and super supportive of small businesses," she said.
In her six years in Whiting, Sacramento has been committed to helping people feel their best.
“My favorite part about doing what I do is that even if I just do someone’s makeup for one day, I’m helping people to feel their best. I’ve also helped people to get jobs and watched my employees learn new skills, grow and become successful. All of that is so important to me. I truly care about giving back to others," she said.
Sacramento also enjoys giving back to the local community in any way she can.
“We host different events throughout the year such as Princess Day, which is where little girls in the area can get their first experience of a salon and get their nails painted and whatnot. We also are planning a senior night for our elderly community members to come in and enjoy themselves. Additionally, we are hosting a vision board party on December 19. I am a firm believer that if you can visualize and see firsthand what your goals are, you can make them a reality," she said.