Hello Beauties!
I just wanted to come and just talk to you guys, ramble a bit if you don’t mind. Hehe!
I hope this helps and blesses you in some way!
Dreamers… we have a thousand ideas, people think we are unorganized, they think we don’t want to work a “real” job, and that we live in the clouds. They couldn’t be more wrong. We are the most organized and we work harder. Getting and working a 9-5 is easy. Becoming your own boss takes more than that! You never clock out, you never get a day off, & hardly sleep! We work with everything we have to make our dreams come true!
So, I have been asked a lot lately about my journey in Makeup and blogging, here ya go!
This isn’t a success story, its an “I’m on my way” story!
…a little bit about me.
…on my decision to become a Makeup Artist.
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.
During this time in my journey I began attending events like a mad woman. Some I was invited to, others I found a way in. One day I was online and I saw that Porsha Stewart was hosting a launch party for a nail polish line. This event was open the public. I found out about it last minute so I figured I would drop by, try to get her a business card and leave. When I arrived at the event, Porsha wasn’t there so I kicked back and passed out business cards. Long story short, I couldn’t get to Porsha (lol). She was in and out in like 10 minutes. I ended up having a conversation with this guy, not realizing we never properly introduced ourselves we carried on laughing and talking about the event. Eventually it came out that he was the Editor in Chief of Urban Lux Magazine. I then (jokingly) brushed myself off, properly introduced myself and handed him a business card. A few day’s later I saw a comment notification on one of my instagram pics from UrbanLuxMag staying, “did you receive my email?” When I tell you I ran to my computer, RAN ok!!! The subject line said “Porsha Stewart/ Urban Lux Photoshoot!” I bugged out! Moral of the story is get out there, attend events, always have business cards, you never know who you are taking to, and you never know who they know! There I was, working on my first magazine shoot, with my first celebrity! Two of the goals I made for myself in 2013, DONE!
…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.