Some people become so involved in their work and finding success in their career that often times, they push personal relationships aside so they won’t put their job in danger. Business owner Alexa Prisco, who runs her own make-up, hair and styling business in Hoboken, New Jersey, the Glam Factory, was so involved in her work that she surprised everyone, even herself, when she became engaged. Prisco, who is now married and is expecting her first child, who has finally found personal happiness, is putting her life and career in perspective.
The second season of Prisco’s hit Style Network reality show, ‘Glam Fairy,’ which debuts on Sunday, October 7 at 9pm ET/PT, follows her romance with her fiancé Danny. The make-up artist also learns how to manage personal relationships while running the Glam Factory. Prisco’s life is completely different than how she expected it to turn out-from falling in love to getting married to having children.
But Prisco realizes that she can’t control everything, from planning her wedding to dealing with family drama to expanding her Glam Fairy empire. But conflict and insecurities still do run wild at the Glam Factory, which puts relationships to the test as Alexa learns to manage her staff without ruining friendships.
Prisco took the time to discuss the second season of ‘Glam Fairy’ over the phone recently. Among other things, the expectant mother-to-be spoke about why she decided to film a second season, why she’s still so involved in all aspects of her business empire and why she won’t allow work to come in the way of raising her first child.
Question (Q): The second season of your Style Network reality show, ‘Glam Fairy,’ is set to premiere on Sunday, October 7 at 9pm ET/PT. Why did you decide to continue chronicling your professional and personal lives on the show for another season?
Alexa Prisco (AP): Well, I think the cool thing about this season is that you’re going to see a much different side of me as a business owner. You’re going to see what I’m struggling with as a mom and a wife, and I think that’s what makes it super interesting.
Q: ‘Glam Fairy’ is a spin-off of another Style Network reality show you appeared on, ‘Jerseylicious.’ What was the process of having ‘Glam Fairy’ being picked up as a series-did the network approach you with the idea, or did you pitch the idea to Style?
AP: No, they found me. I liked that they wanted to cover my business, and I thought it was a really good opportunity. For the first season, we kept it more of a hybrid of a documentary, where you learn something, and a soap opera. But now I would say it’s more on the drama end. I think that’s going to quench a lot of people’s thirst out there. (laughs)
Q: Have ‘Glam Fairy’ and ‘Jerseylicious’ helped draw in customers for, and attention to, your company, The Glam Factory? Have you been receiving more recognition after being on the shows?
AP: I would say that I’m a pretty quiet person, and I keep to myself. Some of the cast members go out there, looking to be recognized. But for me, I’m fine throwing a hat on. I live in an area where I don’t really get recognized, and I can be a normal person.
But I think the shows definitely have had an impact, in terms of the type of traffic I get. Now I get people from Australia and all over.
Q: ‘Glam Fairy’ also shows how each of your staff members brings their own personal style to the company. How would you describe the different styles, and how do you resolve any conflicts that arise when staff members disagree on which styles to use?
AP: I tried to have T-shirts for a while, but T-shirts are always something that seems to be a problem, it seems like. (laughs) But I would say for the most part, everyone’s pretty different. I like when people are their own authentic self. I think it’s cool for them to express themselves.
But I don’t think people stick to a very specific style every day. I think everyone changes it up, so I think that keeps it exciting for the customers.
Q: Will the second season of ‘Glam Fairy’ show conflict between the cast members over their styles?
AP: Yeah, I think you’re going to see a lot of me stepping back, but not necessarily wanting to take a back seat. I’m seven-and-a-half months pregnant, and that’s a lot for someone who’s used to being a business owner. When I reach out and ask for help, everyone’s willing to give me help. Everyone wants that job of manager or assistant manager, and it’s a little bit stressful.
Q: ‘Glam Fairy’ not only shows you running your company, The Glam Factory, it also features you planning your wedding. Has appearing on the show also helped you learn how to balance planning the wedding, running your Glam Fairy empire and resolving your family drama?
AP: The show hasn’t helped me balance out anything. The show translates how I’m trying to balance everything, and it’s very difficult for me. I’m that person that people never thought would get pregnant and have a baby. I’m also the person that people thought would never get married.
To prove everyone wrong, and to see me transitioning from a ruthless business person to a mom-to-be that isn’t 110 percent confident, is definitely very interesting. It’s going to be a nice contrast.
AP: No. I was filming ‘Jerseylicious,’ and I met my husband about two years ago. Then we got engaged, and the next thing you know, it turns out I was pregnant. So we didn’t have the luxury of doing things the way other people do them. So we had to deal with the challenges that life threw at us, and embrace them and enjoy them.
Q: Before opening The Glam Factory, you launched several different business divisions, including Glamology, Glammypuss Photo, The Glam Fairy Academy and Bridal Makeup. How involved are you in all the different divisions?
AP: It’s my business, so I’m completely involved. With The Glam Academy, I teach every hour of that program. I do every single photo shoot. I’m probably the most over-involved business owner you would meet, because I don’t trust people to do things. (laughs)
Q: What are some of the more popular hair and make-up styles for the upcoming fall and winter? Will they be featured on the second season of ‘Glam Fairy?’
AP: Yeah, I definitely teach trends in my Glam Academy. I would say for fall, there will definitely be a change in the focal point on the face. I think it’s going from eyes to lips. I think people are doing more lips, and less on the eye. I think that’s definitely something that’s very cool for fall. It’s a lot easier; you just throw it on, and are on your merry way.
Q: The Glam Factory is located in Hoboken, New Jersey, and also offers makeup service in New York. Would you describe your company’s style as being unique to the New York area, or can everyone nationwide use your styling tips?
AP: I don’t think the show is going to only exemplify, or say, New Jersey. I think it says these are a bunch of women and a few gay guys who want to be successful. It’s incredible, because it shows people really trying to make themselves better. It’s different than ‘Jerseylicious’ because it’s not about being fabulous in Jersey. It’s about being an incredible business person.
For me, I don’t think I’m quintessentially New Jersey, I’m a lot of different things. That’s why I enjoy this show. I feel like in terms of our clientele, we care about everybody. I’ve dealt with people from Australia and all across the country.
Q: If the second season of ‘Glam Fairy’ is successful, would you be interested in doing a third season of the show, after you have your child?
AP: Yeah, but my biggest concern right now in my life is having a healthy baby and being a good mother. I never want my kid to feel that she doesn’t see me as much as she could because I’m filming. If I can find a balance where I can film and be the kind of mother I want to be, then that’s great. But if I can’t, then my family comes first.
When you die, there’s nothing you take with you, except the impressions you made on other people. I just want to be a good wife and a good mother. Right now, I want to focus on being a good mom. If what other people’s expectations are of me at work are too demanding, and they don’t let me be the mother I want to be, then I’m going to have to make some decisions.
Q: Are there any details about specific storylines on the second season of ‘Glam Fairy’ that you can discuss?
AP: I think you’re going to see an entirely different format of the show. You’re going to see me being a mother and a wife. You’re going to see cast members who are going through divorces, and so many different things. You’re going to see me testing myself and my friendships. It’s going to be incredibly interesting.
I think this is not what viewers are going to expect from the first season. I don’t think it’s even remotely similar.
