We were lucky to catch up with Nikki Anderson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Nikki, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
2024 has been the year of risks for me. At the beginning of 2023, my husband and I decided to take a leap of faith and move to The Heights from The Woodlands. Starting over in a new unfamiliar area where we essentially knew no one is definitely scary. Especially for us because we were also expecting our second daughter that November. At the time, I was still working at the Charlotte Tilbury counter making the commute from the Heights to The Woodlands, but I knew as soon as I had our baby, I would need to figure out what I was going to do job-wise. I knew I wanted to continue to do makeup, but where? And for who? So many different thoughts were swirling. When would I go back to work? Who would watch the baby? These were all things I needed to figure out as my due date was fast approaching.
Thank God that God’s plan will always be better than mine! I spent a lot of time praying on the direction I should go and the steps that I should take and after having my baby, it felt like everything was falling into place perfectly. I took a couple of months off and then, beginning 2024, I decided to just hit the ground running. I designed business cards and a logo to promote myself whenever I went out. Since I was new to the area and didn’t yet have a network, I began reaching out to photographers and models for collaboration opportunities. I also joined groups of ambitious women who were on similar entrepreneurial journeys, often more established than I was to learn from and grow with. To further my exposure, I had a banner created and participated in vendor shows, constantly seeking new ways to get my name and brand in front of others.
A lot of people think that having a baby is a set back, but I truly feel like it was the biggest push for me to get back out there and do what I know I was created to do. That is why I love what I do so much. I took my baby girl with me everywhere. To all of the networking events and coffee/zoom meetings. There were even a few bookings I was able to take my newborn with me to and do makeup as she slept soundly strapped to my chest (I have to thank God for giving me the most well-behaved perfect angel babies).
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’ve always been passionate about beauty and makeup, but my professional journey began nearly eight years ago when I enrolled in a makeup certification program in Houston. I graduated at the top of my class and was quickly recruited by the school to join their agency, where I taught classes and had the opportunity to work on a variety of fashion shows, photoshoots, and TV/production sets.
I am very proud of the makeup kit that I have curated specially for my clients. I primarily use high-end designer brands like Dior, Charlotte Tilbury, and YSL, along with professional-grade products from RCMA and Make Up For Ever. Beyond the great quality of the products I use, I also offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, which I believe sets me apart from other artists. I won’t let you leave until you’re completely in love with your look. Your comfort is my top priority, so I always begin with a detailed consultation before applying any makeup, ensuring we create the perfect look that enhances your natural beauty.
Sometimes, I feel that I do not give myself enough credit for the things I have done and pushed through, but I am super proud of the things I was able to accomplish this year. In 2024, I was able to get booked for weddings, fashion shows, productions and photoshoots. Taught two master classes, had my story featured in two Houston magazines and had my work featured in 6x Magazine and the front cover of Claire Magazine. I recently also received the award and title of Make Up Artist of the Year at the 2024 Houston Hotties Awards Ceremony. All while having a newborn and an 8 year old in a span of 9 months in a completely new town. It was not easy, but I do want to encourage women with children that you can be a mom and own a successful business! I do owe a lot of thanks to my husband, Jamon, for always being my biggest and loudest supporter and for always allowing me the space to create and plan freely. For giving me security when I was feeling vulnerable and anxious about my business’ future and for attaining us financially so that I can focus solely on our children and my business. Of course, none of this would be possible for either of us had God not stepped in. Matthew 6:25-34 is truly what got me through this season.
“ 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
The best way you can support other local artists like myself is showing love on social media and referring us to other people you know! We live in a social media age, so this is one of our biggest marketing tools. Simply liking, commenting and/or sharing our posts helps us so much to be “boosted” and seen by more people. Word of mouth is also huge as that is how I have gotten a lot of my bookings. This could be from you referring us to a friend or posting a picture of your look tagging your artist and talking about how much you loved your experience. All of these things help us and we appreciate it SO much!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist, for me, is seeing women light up when they see themselves in the mirror when I’m finished. Giving them the biggest confidence boost in a makeup look that they still feel and look like themselves in, but also by how I made them feel in the time that they were in my chair. That is the reason I do what I do. Being apart of so many women’s very special and intimate days such as their wedding, I take it as my pleasure and responsibility to make them feel radiant inside and out.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @nikkiharrismua
- Facebook: @nikkiharrismua
- Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
Vendor: @glitzandglambooth Photographer: @shotbyperks Houston’s Best Runway Photographer @garyprophotoprime . [email protected] Photographer: Alie Jones @candidbridalco Photographer: Charles Edward @charl3s3dward Photographer: Laura Hollander @laurahollanderphoto Social Media Marketer/ Photographer: @madcansler for @rosemilk_aesthetics Photographer: Brittany Lewis @bridezelphotography for @msjay_naturalhands