We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Madissen Foster a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Madissen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

At Twelve Esthetics and Cosmetics our mission is to empower others to embrace their unique beauty and live in their truth with confidence. We are committed to cultivating world class experiences, beauty treatments, and cosmetics. Through innovation, sustainability and inclusivity, we aspire to inspire positive self-expression. Fostering a community where beauty knows no bounds.

Being a woman of color in the beauty industry, I feel that it was my mission to create a brand that was rooted in inclusivity. A brand that everyone could see themselves in and be proud of. Until recently the beauty standard has always been one sided, I remember growing up and being the young lady who couldn’t find my perfect foundation color, going to the stores and not having great options for my skin, or being told my look was too “different”. I knew when I was creating Twelve Esthetics and Cosmetics that “different” was going to be welcomed and the standard! I embrace uniqueness and encourage everyone to be empowered by all the things that make them stand out beautifully.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi There! I’m Madissen Sajaida! I am a Licensed Esthetics and the owner and founder of Twelve Esthetics and Cosmetics. From a young age I knew that beauty would forever be apart of who I am, as a little girl I would sit with my mom while she was getting ready for the day and marvel at her beauty while she was doing her makeup. I loved the way she lit up when her look would come together, the feeling that I got as a little girl is what has fueled me through my journey as an esthetician and entrepreneur. I got my start in the industry as a self taught MUA when I begin doing makeup out of my college dorm. After graduating college with my B.S. in Biology, it didn’t take me long to realize that being a dentist was not my passion, but it was what my family wanted for me because it was safe (sorry nana lol). Soon after I went against the grain and moved to Charlotte, NC and enrolled in Esthetician school. While in school Twelve Esthetics was born! At Twelve Esthetics I specialize in Makeup, Bridal Makeup, Brows, and Lashes. I pride myself on always putting my clients first because without them, Twelve Esthetics would not be what it is today! The Twelve Brand has grown so much within a 2 year span and it’s all because of the loyalty of my clients. In 2024 I am launching the cosmetics portion of Twelve, I have worked so hard on the line and I cannot wait to share with each of you! It is my prayer that everyone who purchases my products or even sits in my chair feels loved, seen, and valued! Twelve Tribe forever!

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I am no stranger to bootstrapping when it comes to funding my business. In fact until recently Twelve Esthetics and Cosmetics was fully funded by bootstrapping and relying on my amazing family and friends to help out. In college I worked at Metro PCS, I would use my entire check to build up a professional makeup kit to be able to service the small clientele that I had. I have always worked and used my 9 to 5 to fund my business. These days I know 9 to 5’s are frowned upon., but it’s what has allowed me to fund my business and live out my dreams. I now know what it means to raise capital and use my network to grow the business, but I will never look down on working to fund your dream!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A session that I’ve had to learn would definitely be “manifesting” without doing the hard work. I 100% now know that good faith without work is DEAD. So often we want everything to be easy for us, we want to have the faith that it will all work out for us, but none of us like doing the actual hard work that we have to met God with! BUT when we hold up our end of the bargain and do the hard work and push ourselves to do the things that make us uncomfortable the reward is so much greater!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://TwelveEsthetics.as.me/
• Instagram: @twelveesthetics
• Facebook: Twelve Esthetics
• Other: Tik tok- @MadissenSajaida