Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Contramaestre.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I immigrated to the United States in 2017, I left behind my third year of Dentistry and all the plans I thought were already written for me. I arrived with dreams, uncertainty, and the determination to start from zero—just like so many immigrants do. I worked as a waitress, receptionist, and took any opportunity that allowed me to move forward.
One of those jobs, which at first seemed like just another paycheck, ended up changing my life forever. I started as a receptionist in a lash salon, not knowing that place would become my first real classroom in the beauty industry. The owner saw something in me that I hadn’t yet recognized in myself: discipline, potential, and a true desire to learn. He taught me how the business truly worked—staff management, inventory organization, client care, and the foundation of excellent service.
Over time, and due to his declining health, I became more involved until I was an essential part of the operation. One day, a lash specialist quit unexpectedly, and they asked me to cover her. That moment marked the beginning of my career as a lash technician. From there, I continued my education, obtained my licenses, and deepened my knowledge of every service in this beautiful field.
Not long after, I was entrusted with managing a second location that opened right before the pandemic. But life, with its unexpected turns, hit me hard: the owner passed away, and the pandemic forced both studios to shut down. I was left without a job, without stability, pregnant with my daughter… but with the experience and knowledge I had worked so hard to gain.
Giving up wasn’t an option. During that uncertain time, I began working from home and offering mobile services to my loyal clients. I knew I needed a space of my own, so a colleague and I rented a small suite where we worked for a year. Eventually, we each went our own way, and I took my next step: renting a room in a salon in Weston. That’s where I began rebuilding my clientele in a new area, day by day, with consistency and heart.
A few months later, I found a more private and comfortable space for my clients. My business grew quickly. Things were finally blossoming again. But an unexpected inspection and the building’s lack of direct water access forced me to vacate immediately. That day I cried, but I also understood that sudden changes often lead to bigger blessings.
And I was right.
The same building offered me a larger unit. More responsibility, yes—but also more opportunity. I felt God was aligning my path, so I didn’t hesitate. I took it. That’s when the true transformation began: I turned that space into a home for myself and for other women. I divided the area into workstations to cover expenses, but it became so much more. It became a safe, inspiring environment where seven beauty professionals now share the same mission—to enhance the natural beauty of every person who walks through our doors.
Today, my studio is not just a business.
It is proof that difficult beginnings create extraordinary stories.
That an immigrant with dreams, a baby on the way, and a strong heart can rebuild herself.
That every ending opens a new path.
And that when you work with love, discipline, and faith, your purpose always finds the perfect way to unfold.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The short answer: absolutely not.
My path has been filled with obstacles, sacrifices, reinventions, and moments that forced me to grow faster than I expected. These are the real challenges I faced along the way:
1. Immigrating With No Stability and Starting From Zero
Arriving in a new country with no family nearby, no financial stability, and no idea how anything worked was one of the biggest challenges.
I had to accept jobs completely unrelated to what I studied and learn how to navigate an entirely different system.
2. Leaving Behind a University Career
Letting go of my third year of Dentistry wasn’t easy.
It meant starting over when I had already invested years of work and effort.
It meant rebuilding myself professionally from scratch.
3. Long Hours and Personal Sacrifices
I worked as a waitress, receptionist, assistant, and technician—often with long shifts, no days off, and no guarantees.
My progress was not linear or glamorous. It was built on hard work, exhaustion, and dedication.
4. The Owner’s Illness and Death
Watching someone who believed in me decline in health and eventually pass away was a deeply emotional and professional blow.
From one day to the next, the business I had devoted so much to was gone.
5. Losing My Job During the Pandemic
I suddenly found myself:
• without a job,
• without stable income,
• six months pregnant,
• and without any certainty.
For many, that would have meant giving up. For me, it meant starting again—one more time.
6. Working From Home and Doing Mobile Services While Pregnant
It required physical effort, emotional strength, and resilience.
It wasn’t glamorous or convenient.
It was simply the only way to keep my career alive during that moment.
7. Changing Locations Multiple Times
I had to:
• share suites,
• move continuously,
• adapt to new rules and environments,
• rebuild my clientele from scratch in different areas.
Growth came with constant relocations, frustrations, and restarts.
8. Losing a Workspace Due to an Inspection
Being forced to leave a space unexpectedly because the building lacked direct water access was devastating.
It felt like yet another restart when I was finally gaining stability.
9. Taking on a Larger Space With More Responsibility
When the building offered me a bigger unit, it came with pressure, fear, and financial responsibility.
Expanding was exciting, but it also meant stepping into the unknown—again.
10. Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship
Raising a child while building a business from the ground up is a challenge few people truly understand.
There is guilt, exhaustion, and constant pressure to be strong for both dreams.
But every challenge became part of the reason I succeeded.
It strengthened your character, sharpened your skills, and turned you into the entrepreneur you are today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Lashes Brows and Blus Studio & Academy ?
My business is much more than a beauty studio; it’s a space created to transform, uplift, and enhance natural beauty with a human, artistic, and educational approach.
We specialize in lash extensions, lash lifts, brow lamination and design, micropigmentation, facial care, and a wide range of beauty services focused on achieving natural, harmonious, and personalized results.
But what truly sets us apart is not only what we do — it’s how we do it.
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What I Do and What I Specialize In
I specialize in:
• Lash extensions in all techniques (natural, hybrid, volume).
• Lash lifts and brow lamination, with a healthy, long-lasting approach.
• Brow micropigmentation (ombre/powder brows), shaping and corrections.
• Professional training and education, helping new artists build profitable and sustainable careers.
I also offer:
• Personalized consultations,
• career mentoring for new lash & brow artists,
• and real support to help each student grow and achieve financial independence.
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What Makes My Business Different
What truly differentiates us is:
1. The human quality behind every service
Every client is treated as part of our home.
We are not just another salon — we are a warm, safe, and personalized environment.
2. Attention to detail & natural-looking results
My signature style is enhancing, not overdoing.
We focus on making clients look like the best version of themselves — fresh, soft, and confident.
3. High-level technical education
I am known for training artists from scratch and guiding them step by step until they become solid professionals.
I don’t just teach techniques;
I teach how to build a business, how to sell, and how to make a living from this industry.
4. A team of women supporting women
One of the things I’m most proud of is the team we’ve built:
seven professionals working in harmony, with shared values and a shared mission.
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What I’m Most Proud of, Brand-Wise
I’m proud of building a brand that represents:
• growth,
• discipline,
• faith,
• purpose,
• and a modern, natural, elegant aesthetic.
My brand was built from zero — with sacrifice, consistency, and constant learning.
Today, it stands as a reference for women who want not only to look better, but to feel supported, respected, and cared for.
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What I Want Readers to Know About My Brand and Services
I want people to know that:
• We specialize in enhancing natural beauty without exaggeration.
• We prioritize the health of the skin, lashes, and brows.
• Every service is designed to be long-lasting, soft, natural, and tailored to each face.
• We are committed to elevating the industry through education.
• And we strongly believe that beauty is an experience — not just a result.
My brand is a reminder that dreams can become real businesses when you lead with passion.
And my mission is to keep creating a space where every woman feels beautiful, confident, and proud of who she is.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success isn’t measured only by numbers, material achievements, or external recognition.
I define success as the ability to build a life aligned with my purpose, my values, and my personal growth.
Success is having the courage to start from zero in a new country and becoming the woman I once dreamed of being.
It’s being able to work in something I’m passionate about while helping other women feel more confident, more beautiful, and more capable.
It’s creating a space where people feel valued, cared for, and truly seen.
Success is also:
• turning obstacles into lessons,
• overcoming fear with discipline,
• rising every time life closed a door,
• and building a brand that was born from love, faith, and relentless effort.
To me, success is balance —
being a mother, an entrepreneur, an artist, and a mentor without losing myself in the process.
It’s looking back at my journey and recognizing that every setback, every sacrifice, and every new beginning led me exactly to where I was meant to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.lashesbrowsandblush.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lashesbrowsandblush?igsh=MWJ1dGR0ZG5kZnFvYQ==
