We recently connected with Tessa Hoang and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tessa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Absolutely, I’ve been able to earn a full-time living—and so much more—from my creative work as a permanent makeup artist. But let me tell you, it wasn’t like that from day one. My journey to get here was a mix of risk, resilience, and relentless hard work.

When I first started, I didn’t know if this would even turn into a career, let alone a full-time income. After leaving my accounting studies, I was determined to make microblading work. I took a course, and instead of waiting for the “perfect opportunity,” I started small—offering services in my aunt’s nail salon. I didn’t have a fancy studio or a big clientele, but I made the most of what I had. Every client was an opportunity to build my skills and reputation.

The first major milestone came when demand for my work grew faster than I expected. Within a year, I saved enough to buy my own nail salon, which gave me the space and freedom to grow. I reinvested in myself by taking advanced training, improving my techniques, and expanding my services. Offering training courses was another game-changer. Not only did it allow me to diversify my income, but it also helped me connect with other aspiring artists who shared my passion.

The biggest leap came when I co-founded Pure Beauty Studio and Academy. Creating a dedicated space for services and education elevated my brand and allowed me to focus on what I loved most—crafting beautiful brows and teaching others to do the same. Winning 1st place in the World PMU Championship in Germany and becoming a speaker at the Vegas PMU Conference were milestones that solidified my place in the industry and opened doors I hadn’t even imagined.

Looking back, I realize there were things I could have done to speed up the process. For one, I could have sought mentorship earlier. Learning directly from someone who’s already successful in the field can save years of trial and error. I also could have been more intentional with social media from the start—building a strong online presence earlier would have helped me reach more clients and students faster.

That said, I’m grateful for every step of the journey. Each challenge taught me something valuable, and every success feels even more rewarding because I earned it through persistence and passion. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the process of building a full-time creative career is rarely straightforward. But if you stay committed, keep learning, and take calculated risks, the rewards are beyond what you can imagine.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

About Me and How I Got Into Permanent Makeup

My name is Mai Trang Hoang, but you may know me as Tessa Hoang. I’m a permanent makeup artist, educator, co-owner of Pure Beauty Studio and Academy, and the creator of my own needle brand, MAI PMU Cartridges. You can find me on Instagram at @Browsociety.ottawa, and learn more about my work at www.tessahoang.com.

My journey into this industry wasn’t straightforward, but it was life-changing. After graduating high school with top grades, I earned a 90% scholarship to study accounting at university. At the time, it seemed like the ideal path—stable, logical, and aligned with my love for math. But as I dived into my studies, I realized accounting wasn’t fulfilling. I couldn’t see myself thriving in a career that didn’t inspire me.

Determined to find something I was passionate about, I took a chance and enrolled in a microblading course. At first, it was just a side project. I started offering services at my aunt’s nail salon, but what began as a small venture quickly took off. Within a year, I had enough demand and savings to buy my own nail salon. This gave me the freedom to expand my services and begin offering training. Eventually, I co-founded Pure Beauty Studio and Academy in downtown Ottawa, creating a space dedicated to empowering both clients and students.

The Services and Products I Provide
Through my work and brand, I focus on enhancing confidence and building careers. Here’s what I offer:

Permanent Makeup Services: Specializing in nano-brows, a cutting-edge technique that creates realistic hair strokes using a 7 Magnum needle machine. I work with clients of all skin types, including those with alopecia, trichotillomania, or hair loss from cancer treatments.
Training and Education: I offer comprehensive PMU training, including 14 days of online pre-training followed by hands-on in-person instruction.
MAI PMU Cartridges: My own needle brand, designed for precision and performance, helping artists create flawless results.
Consultations: Personalized online sessions to help clients or aspiring artists determine the best path forward.
The Problems I Solve
For clients, my work is about more than creating beautiful brows—it’s about restoring confidence and giving them control over how they see themselves. Many of my clients are overcoming hair loss or life-altering conditions, and hearing them say, “You’ve changed my life,” is what drives me.

For students, I provide not just technical skills but also mentorship, helping them build thriving careers in permanent makeup. Seeing my students succeed and open their own studios is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my work.

What Sets Me Apart
Innovation and Quality: I developed MAI PMU Cartridges to ensure PMU artists have access to the best tools for their craft.
Leadership in the Industry: I’ve been invited to speak at numerous prestigious competitions and events, including the Vegas PMU Conference, and I’ve judged several international PMU competitions.
Global Recognition: Winning 1st place in the World PMU Championship in Germany reflects my dedication to excellence.
Community and Empowerment: I’m passionate about supporting women, both through my services and by helping aspiring artists build their careers.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m proud of the confidence I help restore in my clients and the success my students achieve after training with me. I’m also incredibly proud of building my own product line, being recognized as a leader in the PMU industry, and having the opportunity to inspire others with my journey.

What I Want People to Know About Me and My Brand
At Pure Beauty Studio and Academy, we’re committed to empowering transformations—for clients, for students, and for the industry as a whole.
My journey shows that success isn’t about following a traditional path—it’s about finding what inspires you and giving it everything you’ve got.
I believe beauty is about more than aesthetics—it’s about confidence, self-expression, and empowerment.
If you’re interested in learning more, check out my work on Instagram at @Browsociety.ottawa or visit my website at www.tessahoang.com. Whether you’re looking for the perfect brows, expert training, or inspiration to start your own journey, I’d love to be part of it.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is the recognition I receive from others for my work—and not just any recognition, but the kind that comes from clients, peers, and professionals in the beauty industry. When a client sits in my chair and says, “I heard you’re the best nano brow artist in Ottawa,” and tells me their microblading artists, aesthetician, hairstylist, or nurse injector recommended me, it’s an indescribable feeling. It’s truly an honor to be recognized and trusted by these professionals, and it motivates me to work even harder, to refine my skills constantly, and to ensure I never disappoint those who believe in me.

Beyond the recognition, the joy my clients experience is something I deeply treasure. When a client looks in the mirror and tells me they feel 10 years younger, it’s such a powerful moment. The brows are such an important feature—they frame the face, give it structure, and express emotion. When someone gets their brows done, they instantly feel rejuvenated, and seeing that happiness on their faces is priceless.

One of the most emotional aspects of my work is helping clients who’ve experienced hair loss due to conditions like alopecia, trichotillomania, or cancer. I’ve had clients tell me, “Wow, I can make expressions again!” and their joy is so genuine. I’ve received countless hugs and seen tears of happiness, and those moments make me so proud of the work I do. Being able to give someone a sense of confidence and normalcy back is an incredibly fulfilling experience.

Teaching is another part of my career that brings me immense pride and joy. Sharing my craft with my students and showing them the path I’ve taken is so powerful. I pour my heart into guiding and mentoring them, giving them everything they need to succeed. One of the most memorable moments for me was when a student messaged me to say, “Thank you, Tessa, for teaching me this technique. I just did brows for a cancer patient, and she was so happy. She said thank you to me and my instructor for giving her eyebrows back.” Knowing that my teaching has had a ripple effect—that my student could bring the same joy to someone else—is beyond rewarding.

This job has truly become my life, and I’m so grateful for where I am today. But I also know there’s no room for complacency. I’m committed to continuing to learn, innovate, and stay at the top of my craft. The work I do isn’t just about brows; it’s about making people feel seen, confident, and beautiful. That’s what makes it all so meaningful.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

One book that has significantly influenced my entrepreneurial thinking and management philosophy is How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. It’s a timeless classic that has helped me tremendously in understanding the art of communication, building relationships, and inspiring those around me.

As a business owner, the ability to connect with people—whether it’s my staff, clients, or students—is absolutely essential. This book taught me the importance of genuinely listening to others, showing empathy, and making people feel valued. For example, when working with my staff, I’ve learned that adapting my communication style to each individual’s personality fosters better understanding and a stronger team dynamic. These principles have helped me create a supportive and collaborative environment in my business.

The lessons in the book also extend to interactions with clients. It emphasizes the power of making people feel special and appreciated, which is at the core of my philosophy as a permanent makeup artist. Whether it’s offering a warm welcome, genuinely celebrating a client’s happiness after a session, or going the extra mile to meet their needs, these small acts of connection build trust and loyalty.

Another key takeaway from the book is the value of focusing on solutions and positivity. It encourages you to approach challenges with optimism and see setbacks as opportunities for growth—a mindset that’s crucial in entrepreneurship.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to improve their communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills. It’s not just a guide for entrepreneurs but a tool for personal growth in every aspect of life. For me, it’s been a game-changer in both managing my business and building meaningful connections with the people around me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tessahoang.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/browsociety.ottawa/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/browsociety.ottawa/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@browsociety.ottawa

Image Credits

WORLD PMU CONFERENCE
PURE BEAUTY STUDIO
WULOP CANADA
WULOP VIETNAM
VEGAS PMU CONFERENCE
NANO BROW TRAINING