For the Dreamers….

…a little bit about me.

Growing up I’ve always been out spoken, and a doer! It was very hard for my mother or anyone else in fact to silence me, or keep me put. I was never afraid to make myself heard, seen or understood. I loved taking risks and I was never afraid of chance. When my mind is made up about something, I move on it. I have always been this way. It can be a great thing, but also a NOT so great thing. This means if I make the wrong decision, I’m heading towards it, head first, at 100 miles an hour. So when I decided to do makeup I ran with it even though at the time I didn’t know a thing! LOL whew I’m crazy. lol

…on my decision to become a Makeup Artist.

My decision to begin doing makeup was not because I loved it. As a matter of fact, I didn’t wear makeup much at all (just eyeliner and lip gloss) when it became a friend of mine. Also, at the time my heart was very much in Music (I sing and play guitar). The decision came about when my husband lost his job a few weeks before my first son Noah was born. A few months prior he purchased a camera, and expressed interest in photography. It was only a hobby then, but when finding work seemed becomingly impossible, he decided to turn it into a business. That’s when MediaLifted was born! A few short weeks later, in the hospital, after just giving birth to Noah I received some interesting news.  I was calling my job to retrieve some information about my medical insurance, then questioned when I was expected to return to work. That’s when I was notified that I had been let go. My mouth dropped! My husband and I looked at each other, both with the “what are we going to do now” expression on our faces. There we were, still in the hospital with a new baby, and no jobs. Lets fast forward…

One day my husband was in need of a makeup artist (During this time we are living off savings). It only made sense for me to do it. We didn’t have the money to pay for one, nor did we know how to find one, as this was a new world for us both. So I, with my one brush and the only makeup palette I owned, the 88 Shimmer palette by Coastal Scents, I figured I’d give it a shot. Not because I was interested, but as a way to bring money in. It only made sense, right? Outside of the little I had, I used the makeup she had with her to complete her face. She loved it so much, she cried! The makeup artist in me now screams because I know so much now, but I knew just enough back then to make someone cry, to ignite the flame. At that moment I knew, THIS is what I’m going to do. Not want to do, think I should do,  but GOING to do. I was going through a tough time in life with our new baby, and job loss. Doing makeup got me through it. I wasn’t in love with the artistry per say, but I was in love and became addicted to making people feel good at a time when I was not. Then my love for makeup and the artistry grew!

Here is a sample of my husband and I’s work! He, on photography and myself on makeup! We work together very well and it transfers well on camera! Check him out www.medialifted.com!

…on booking Porsha Stewart.

…a few things you need to understand when following your dreams.

* For a while, YOU are going to be the only one investing in your dream. YOU are going to be the only one who believes in your dream! People WILL think you are crazy! Do not be discouraged when people don’t see what you see and try to hit you with the “what if’s” and “maybe you shouldn’ts”…. Don’t focus on them! Don’t try and make them believers, it will happen on its own. Say you do blow up, still, don’t expect praise from everyone. Some people simply don’t want to see you succeed or it just hurts them a little bit inside when you do (lol). We all have haters, and they will multiply throughout your journey. No matter who I book or how many times I’m seen on Essence, I have not been able to gain the respect of some of my loved ones and in-laws. They think I play in makeup all day, they don’t see this as work. You too will have these people in your life. You must continue to believe in yourself and move forward with your plans any how!

* Like I said above you are going to be the only one who believes and invests in your business/dream. Its said that it takes up to 3-5 years to become profitable. I’m 2 years in, so I have I am hoping to double what I’m making now with in the next year or two. Things don’t always go this way though! Its not guaranteed you’ll be broke for a long time, its also not guaranteed that you’ll take off right away. Following your dream means you need to be ready for anything, and quick to think on your feet for those random moments.

* Learn everything you can about the field you’re going into! For me its Makeup and Blogging! I’m constantly searching for new ways to market myself and my blog. Attending events help a great deal. Always being seen on the scene will have people looking for you and inviting you to their next event! I keep up with makeup trends by reading Vogue and other high fashion magazines. What ever you are into, dive in! Learn all you can!

* You’re going to need an EIN number and a business license! Become familiar with your states rules and regulations/business requirements in your field. I could go on about this one part all day! But I simply can not. My brain will explode and I’m not good explaining these things! Take to the internet, please and learn how to set up your business from a legal stand point.

* NETWORK,  NETWORK, NETWORK! Like I said above. Attend events that are open to the public! If you have a following and would like to attend an exclusive event, put together an email with links to your sites and examples of your work (media kit)! Request a media pass telling them you will cover and write about their evert or product. You never know who you’re talking to or who they know. Even if  only 2 people there, you never know who they represent. Put your best foot forward always.

…my ultimate dream(s)

My dream is to become a red carpet makeup artist! Or, do you watch project runway? I want to be apart of the L’oreal Paris team glam’ing the models on set! Also, I recently had the opportunity to visit Essence Magazines headquarters in NYC with Nicole Marie Melton, Essence.com beauty editor. After my visit, and seeing what she does, I would absolutely LOVE her job! lol I have no idea where to begin to even have the chance for a position like that. But I plan on asking…. Any of these things would be a dream come true for me. (totally rambling here)

Like I shared with you all above, my husband and I lost our jobs back in 2011. This forced us to come up with way to bring money in on our own. Last November we were finally getting a good flow of work in, enough for us to get back on our feet! Then, the unthinkable happened. My husband became very ill. We had to stop working and refund thousands of dollars to clients who’s contracts we could no longer fulfill. I eventually ended up having to move my family to Connecticut where he was recently treated and diagnosed! I almost lost him to what we now know to be, Guillain-Barre’ Syndrome, BUT GOD!

Why am I telling you all of this? Because in between losing our jobs, our car, our home, and almost losing my husband I have unspeakable joy! Its been rough, but my smile is very real! Looking at my blog, instagram, or anything else you would have never known all this is going on behind the scenes. I don’t look like someone who lost almost everything I owned.  I continued to work through the these events while pregnant, and managing a 2 year old.  Let nothing get in your way! I have my days where I am sad or exhausted and I take a moment to be that! But I don’t stay there! I have my moment, I pull myself together, and get back to being a wife, a mom, a makeup artist, and blogger! I’m sharing this because I want you to know the road is NOT going to be easy! This applies to anything and anyone! Whether its your dream to become a makeup artist or a Lawyer! You will want to give up, but you know what? You won’t. If you really want it that is. I hope this inspires someone to make that step! To stop worrying about what others will think, to start living for you! This isn’t a success story, its an “I’m on my way” story! Get up, get moving! Don’t know where to start? I understand! But you have to start anywhere! It’s better than spending months pondering! Dreamers…they think we live in the clouds! Naw! We are very much in tune with reality, slaving to make things happen. Over the course of two years my husband and I are both published! He was published by the USA Today, for his work with Anthony Hamilton and myself with Porsha Stewart, also in a number of boutiques and look books. Its been and still is a difficult journey, but we have done more than we ever imagined! I’m looking forward to even greater things and opportunities! GO GET YOURS!

Also, for those who have been following me know that I recently had a job interview in Atlanta! I have to wait until the 26th to know if I got the job! This job would help my family a great deal! I will let you guys know, when I know! Thanks for all the prayers and support!

Looking forward to being back in the AAAAA!