Additional Coverage:
- I grew up poor and undocumented. I created a beauty brand that generated $2 million in sales in a single day. (businessinsider.com)
From Undocumented to Unstoppable: How a NYC Entrepreneur Built a Multi-Million Dollar Beauty Empire
In a powerful testament to resilience and the pursuit of dreams, Gisselle Hernandez, founder of the successful beauty company Glamlite, has shared her remarkable journey from an undocumented immigrant in New York City to a multi-millionaire entrepreneur. Her story is not just about financial success, but about breaking generational cycles of poverty and abuse, and empowering herself and her daughter to dream big.
Hernandez, who grew up facing significant challenges, initially considered a career in nursing for its stability. However, a pivotal college assignment prompted her to re-evaluate her aspirations.
As she delved into the concept of the glass ceiling, she realized she was inadvertently limiting her own potential by choosing a “safe” career over her true passion for business. This realization sparked a transformative shift, leading her to change her major to business.
The foundation of Glamlite began while Hernandez was a stay-at-home mom in Los Angeles, seeking a way to financial independence. With a modest $1,900 credit card investment, she started selling selfie lights to makeup influencers – a novel concept at the time that quickly took off, generating an impressive $80,000 in its first year. This initial success provided the springboard to launch her beauty brand, Glamlite.
The company’s growth has been nothing short of meteoric. In June 2021, Glamlite achieved an astonishing $2 million in sales in a single day, with a significant portion coming from direct website sales and the remainder from wholesale orders.
Beyond the impressive financial figures, Hernandez emphasizes the profound personal transformation that accompanied her business success. After years of feeling trapped and living out of a suitcase despite her accomplishments, she found the strength to leave an unhealthy relationship and take control of her finances. This pivotal decision allowed her to break free from past trauma and create a life she once couldn’t imagine for herself and her daughter.
Today, Hernandez is not only building wealth but also actively working to break cycles of domestic violence and poverty within her family. She encourages her daughter to pursue her own dreams, providing her with the resources and support she needs. Both mother and daughter are in therapy, committed to healing and growth.
Gisselle Hernandez’s story is a compelling narrative of grit, self-discovery, and the power of believing in oneself, proving that with determination, even the most challenging beginnings can lead to extraordinary achievements. Her journey from struggling to thriving serves as an inspiration, highlighting that true success encompasses not just financial prosperity, but also personal liberation and the courage to build a better future.