We often read about the numerous successes that made entrepreneurs what they are today, but we rarely get an inside look as to how they got there. The roads are not always paved in gold and most of these hard-working business owners do in fact come from nothing. In the case for Flavia Leal, the founder of the Flavia Leal Beauty School, such was the case.

A native of Brazil, Leal arrived in the United States in 2000 seeking a better life for her family. Right off the bat, things were difficult. She not only had to endure a nearly-unlivable housing situation, but was forced to raise her daughter in the less-than-average housing arrangements.

However, she never faltered and did what she had to do, which included 80-hour work weeks while working toward completing a college degree and raising her daughter as a single mother.

“Do what you have to do, not what you want to do,” Leal said. “When our minds get tired, we don’t want to open the door because of what is on the other side, but we have to do these things to grow.”

In 2008, tragedy struck her family when her father died. However, in 2009, she then lost her mother as well and her daughter was then diagnosed with ADHD. 

Truly a lot for a single, working mother and college student to take on.

Turning Heartbreak into Success

Though it would have been understandable had Leal chosen to give up and return to her native Brazil, given the circumstances, she opted instead to fight on.

And she’s glad she did.

She would go on to earn her college degree and founded her first beauty school in 2010. In 2012, she launched her own signature makeup line. In 2013, she purchased a school from an owner who had run it for more than 52 years, essentially bringing it back to prominence. In the end, she advanced her makeup line, as well as created a series of beauty workshops.

Now, having come full circle in her beauty techniques, skills and capabilities, as well as scaling her businesses, Leal was well on her way to becoming the widely-renowned beauty expert that she is today.

Leal is licensed in cosmetology, manicures, esthetics, airbrush, eyebrow design, and artificial nail techniques. She is also a teacher in esthetics and makeup, as well as a cosmetics products demonstrator. Her students attend the Flavia Leal Beauty School to work toward earning both domestic and international certifications.

Her numerous contributions to the industry have not gone unnoticed as she has shown in numerous countries across the United States, South America and Europe, while also being recognized with a laundry list of awards to match.

Today, Leal focuses on guiding students to develop the necessary skills to make it in the beauty industry, but also serves them as a motivational speaker, lighting a fire in them. She does this in living by her moniker, which she preaches each day, ‘Meet people. Help people. Be generous.’

About Flavia Leal

Flavia Leal, Founder of the Flavia Leal Beauty School, is an award-winning instructor, serial entrepreneur and motivational speaker. For more information, please visit: https://www.flavialeal.com/