Inside the daily life of a Boss Babe
We all know that our daily lives can be exhausting, but imagine being a mom, business owner and wife. Our Select Artist Carla Ricciardone sits down with us to give us the inside scoop on what it really looks like to be a PMU Boss Babe. From waking up with feet in your face, to squeezing in quick sauna sessions before heading into the office, Carla Ricciardone is the true embodiment of what it means to be an entrepreneur. Go-getter is an understatement when looking to describe the attitude this female executive has when facing her day-to-day. Dive into the mind of one of the most successful women out to learn on how you can elevate your daily grind.
What is the first thing you reach for when you wake up?
Well, it used to be my phone and I realized how unhealthy of a habit that was so my phone gets left out in my kitchen. Now for any parent out there you know kids feet have a way into your face, so normally in NY it’s some part of Miss Marlo. If it’s Miami it’s my large fluffy German Sheppard who lovingly demands cuddles when I wake up.
How do you schedule your day?
I work with my team to generate a “block” scheduling system by “activity” so I can manage my schedule 4+ months out at a time.
Carla’s Block Schedule Examples:
Morning office work
Clients
Train
Coaching Calls
Evening office work
Family Time
Late evening work
Me time
How would you describe your daily work schedule?
Busy! Long intense hours but I love it and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Tell us a little about your business and where you are located out of?
SCULPTED has four locations as of today. Two in New York (NYC & Upstate NY) and one in Miami, FL - I’m going to keep the fourth location a secret for now. We specialize in modern cosmetic tattooing and scalp pigmentation. Our academy is unlike anything else with small to bespoke education that specializes in creating critically thinking artists.
Check out Carla Ricciardone's SCULPTED STUDIOS here.
Why PMU?
I like to call it cosmetic tattooing because PMU tends to make people think it’s a substitute for their makeup and it’s not. It goes in the skin, not on the skin, so looking exactly like your makeup is not realistic. PMU is a tattoo meant to enhance one’s natural beauty. The joy and confidence it brings is absolutely life changing! I study and work so hard to give my clients that exact thing! Freedom to feel vibrant in their own skin.
Why did you decide to start your own businesses and what challenges did you face?
It was a path I clearly saw in front of me. Truth is, I was already successful and happy with my life and career. PMU was going to be a hobby that I could use to help friends and family. At the time I got into the industry, no one knew what this was at all besides the old school makeup tattoos our grandmas were rocking. I just enjoyed it. I kept putting the work in and it kept on growing. I used my skills to develop new techniques which also fueled the growth…
Challenges are a daily thing. I’ve sacrificed so much to grow my business, SCUPLTED, to what it is today. Those sacrifices were felt also through my loved ones. It’s not easy! I also started when help just didn’t exist. Just finding tools, pigments, and answers about techniques was difficult. Expectations are another challenge. Like thinking that starting your own business is just something to do during your spare time, or thinking you’ll be an overnight success in a very populated market...think again!
What are some of your favorite techniques or practices?
The videos below show the pinch technique I use to place a contour line for a lip. By holding the skin in a mild pinch, not only does it keep the lip firm and taut for proper proper pigment implantation, but it also helps me feel
feel the proper vibration. The vibration is an indicator of depth between my 'non-working' hand and my 'working' hand.
Pro tip: This technique also helps desensitize the clients lip
Pro tip: This technique also helps desensitize the clients lip
What are some things you’d like to see more from in the PMU industry?
Regulations!!! I know my answer may be an unpopular one, but trainers should have to prove they know how to teach and students should have to prove they can perform a service without disfigurement. I have so many students and new artists who have trained elsewhere that have no clue what they are doing. Showing a new artist what you do and telling them to copy it is not education. I also think online training is not enough to start tattooing, and in-person education should be mandatory. Online is amazing, but not for beginners. To obtain a license to cut hair, do nails, or work with skin requires 100 times more than a permeant tattoo on someone’s face. I can’t wrap my head around it! Watching a video with 50-100 people in a hotel conference classroom in no way qualifies you to work on someone's face. Latex is not skin!
What do you like to do once you get out of work?
Go to the gym, watch a movie, and pass out.
What do you normally like to eat for dinner?
I love to eat well but I also like to cook...I find it so relaxing. My go-to is usually something warm and comforting, like a fresh bowl of pasta or homemade soup/stew.
What are you currently listening to?
Deep South Jazz is my current playlist but I have everything from hip hop, r&b, blues, classic rock, golden oldies, and more on constant repeat. Only thing I can’t really listen to is high intensity club music, it puts me on edge- it’s the BPMs.
What are the three things you can’t live without?
Clean beauty products from Khus Khus, travel, my SCULPTURA, my loved ones, and my dog!
Discover Carla's Favorite Perma Blend Ink Combos
We've asked the PMU guru her favorite pigments to combine and modify in order to achieve outstanding results. Discover them below.
