Empire Graduates Open Insta-Glam Salon
Empire Beauty School Shamokin Dam graduates, Jenna Matzinger and Angie Ortiz-Martinez, chased their dream and proudly opened Insta-Glam Salon. The duo were students together when they discussed their dreams of becoming business owners. Matzinger was also a recipient of the George Bradley Scholarship.
With Ortiz-Martinez’s passion for nails and Matzinger’s love for hair color, they are excited to offer a variety of services fit to their clients needs. Their salon is located at 49 Airport Rd, Selinsgrove, PA.
To learn more about this accomplishment, we spoke with Matzinger about their journey.
This has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I went to college and tried a few things there. Eventually, I had a son with a rare seizure disorder called Dravet syndrome. I temporarily worked at a few places but I, unfortunately, was let go due to some difficulties that my son had during hospitalization. He will not grow out of this syndrome. I was determined that I wanted to be a business owner and I was going to chase my dream and be a cosmetologist.
Matzinger and Ortiz-Martinez say they were part of the “covid crew,” the group of students who were enrolled when the pandemic first began.
It was tough for us because we were the covid crew, we had a big class and a few breaks due to covid. We had a few stalls such as not being able to do facials until restrictions were lifted. Miss Morgan, Miss Meg, Miss Lex, Janette, and Miss Maria were such huge support and we came across so many different friends along the way.
With big dreams, the duo have discussed where they plan on taking their business.
We have lots of ideas, we will definitely be here for three years. We are discussing expanding and hiring other employees. We hope to potentially hire someone for lashes and facials. We look forward to growing here and growing in size. We want to have a big salon where people can come in to feel comfortable, confident, and feel beautiful when they leave.
I would like to be a color specialist, I would like to continue to grow and expand. I would like to offer services everyone can benefit from like Brazilian blowouts. We hope to get more products for those services along with hair extensions and hair tinsel. Skincare is a huge favorite of Angie and me, and we look forward to eventually offering facials.
As always, we love learning how our students found their passion and what fuels it.
I love cosmetology because of my interactions with people. I have always been a people person, hearing their stories and helping them learn more about hair. Teaching our clients to do what we do here so they can take it home to show others. I am looking forward to helping individuals in surrounding towns and hearing our clients’ stories. To provide services so they can come out looking quite glamorous.
Matzinger, though she has her challenges, has a support system that will always keep her moving forward.
I have had a tremendous amount of support from my family. My mom and dad have been here for so many different things. We don’t have much family support in this area, but having someone that can help with our son when needed is so helpful. Also, our son’s nurse and our babysitter have helped so much, even helping me get through school. Especially with my parents caring for my son with his medical difficulties, it gives me comfort and peace knowing he is in good hands and loved by someone that loves him as much as I do.
For our current students and all dreamers out there, we have some advice to help you make your dream a reality.
Definitely do the scholarship, definitely write your essay. There were a lot of people who wanted to do it, but they didn’t put the time into it. The George Bradley Scholarship was a huge financial relief for us, giving us a few funds to put aside to start the business.
I would also say chase your dreams because you never know where it’s going to lead you. I never imagined, especially this quickly, having our own business and a business partner as well. I never knew where this would take me, but I would definitely say chase your dream and follow your heart because it will lead you right where you need to be.
For more information about Empire Beauty School, or how to enroll please visit https://bit.ly/LearnMoreAtEmpire