Beauty Box 5

Hello my lovely BB5 beauties!!!

While you will typically not see a personal story from me, I want to share wih you a little bit of my journey as a makeup artist. This summer marks the end of a year since some major changes in my life and it has been an amazing experience…and proof that to succeed, all you need to do is follow your bliss. (…and network yourself silly!)

A little back story:

In the summer of 2009, after being a makeup artist for about 8 years, I finally graduated from college and decided to take another path. After a few years and just as many jobs, I lost my job unexpectedly. I also lost my apartment, gained a solid amount of debt and moved back in with my mom. At 31, I have to admit I was mortified. This was not supposed to be where my life was going…I had always had job…I had always been able to support my family. Given the situation, I decided to go back to what I love, makeup. I also decided to go back to school. I had one goal that summer (2011)…to build back up my artistry business so that, along with my income as a Graduate Assistant, I could make ends meet AND help out my mom. The only caviat? I only wanted contract jobs…I only wanted to work for myself…I was finally going to be my own boss! So here’s what I did:

1) Networking: I contacted everyone I knew in the makeup business…or that had anything to do with the makeup business and asked about work. Previous employers, girlfriends in the business…everyone! From these calls I landed a merchandising route in Austin & San Antonio for Pixi Cosmetics in Target. The money was good, the makeup was even better and I could make my own schedule. (Thanks Emily!) Networking is also how I found this great job with Beauty Box 5! I have known the lovely ladies who run BB5 for quite some time (we worked together in the beauty biz) and when they reached out to me in late April, I jumped at the opportunity to come on board! I absolutely love blogging and sharing my knowledge with all you lovely BB5 beauties! I’ve also had the honor (through a family connection) of meeting Suzanne Court, an caterer and event planner like no other. Suzanne has become a true friend and being a part of her team has opened some pretty awesome doors for me! (Thank you Suzanne!) Don’t forget networking also means going to mixers and industry events in your city. I attended small business events and classes through the City of Austin, fashion shows and anything else I thought would have people in attendance who might need my services. (Make sure to bring business cards…my favorites are from MOO!)

2) Social Media & Shameless Self Promotion: There are tons of great organizations like the Austin Fashion Association that work with companies around town to film news segments and organize fashion shows…and a lot of these companies post their needs for these events/jobs on their Facebook and/or Twitter pages. What started the ball rolling for me was a post by the AFA for a makeup artist to work on a news segment with YNN News for the Austin White Party at the beautiful Kendra Scott Jewelry headquarters. This one little gig…that I did for free…turned into a regular job at a local blow dry bar, a summer makeup segment with YNN News AND a chance to work with the lovely Erin Driscoll…who I must thank for all of her support! If you’re trying to grow your business, get a Facebook, a Twitter and a blog (I like tumblr & blogger) and USE THEM! No one knows what you have to offer unless you tell them…just be professional! ;)

On set @ Kendra Scott for the 2011 White Party YNN new segment.

3) Craigslist: You would be shocked at how many great makeup jobs are posted on Craigslist. I actually found my job with Mirabella on this site…along with quite a few others I’ve had in the past. For those of you who don’t know Mirabella yet, they are an internationally distributed mineral-based cosmetics line sold exclusively in salons…and they’re AMAZING! Great companies like this advertise on CL all the time! The best way to find these jobs is to search in “Jobs” for “makeup” or “beauty.” ”Gigs” is another great place to look and the jobs you’ll find there typically don’t pay but they’re a great opportunity to hone your skills and to network!

The Mirabella National Bridal Team, 2012 (That’s me on the far right.)

4) Go Local: Pick up the local newspaper and see what is going on for artists in your town. What I found was RAW: Natural Born Artists. This grass-roots organization is now in 64 cities across the United States and does a smash-up job of promoting the local talent in their city. All you have to do is submit your work…it can be music, photography, performance art, dance, fashion, makeup, hair…almost anything and, if they like what they see, they’ll place you in one of their monthly showcases. What you get in return is an video interview they place on their YouTube site, a personal page on the RAW website and an opportunity to compete for RAW Artist of the Year in your personal category. I was a part of RAW’s first year in Texas and was lucky enough to be the runner-up for the best Makeup Artist in Austin! I’ve used the video interview countless times since then to promote my business and it is great for sending out to potential employers/clients so they can see you work. Once you’re a RAW Artist, you and a guest are welcome to attend for free for the rest of you life! They shows are monthly and another great way to network yourself into the community. Huge thank you to Meghan & Christina with RAW Austin…thank you ladies for the opportunity and all your support!

Working on the lovely Bianca for the RAW 2011 Semi-finals.

So where did all of this get me over the past year? (The same place it can get you and your business!) I accomplished my goal! I have successfully grown my business, supported my family, helped out my mom AND set myself up for the next year…if not longer! I’ve networked myself into a collaboration with the best hair stylist in Austin (and a true friend), Ashanti Maxwell, owner of New York Vixen, Inc. and we are about to launch our first offering as Vixen City Productions; a Summer Styling series to be offered at Wanderlust Boutique & Gallery in Austin, Texas. Wanderlust is the brain-child of my good friend Bijou Finney and she has offered me an opportunity to open my first brick-and-mortar makeup studio inside Wanderlust!!! We (Ashanti and I) will offer full-service makeup artistry and hair styling along side the beautiful clothes and art for sale at Wanderlust. I also landed this great gig with Beauty Box 5 and have gotten to hone my skills as a blogger and writer. All my searching on Craigslist paid off with my job at Mirabella; I won a spot on our National Bridal Artistry team in February, started training internationally in March and will be carrying Mirabella at Wanderlust…not to mention we will be a certified Mirabella Bridal Salon!

Alright my BB5 beauties! I hope my little tips will help at least a few of you grab hold of your dreams and I wish all of you the very best in everything you do!!! As always, give me a shout if you have any questions or tips!

Peace, Love & Samples!

Felicity