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

Ashley , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been 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? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Being a full time hair and makeup artist is not for the faint at heart! I built my business from the ground up about 5 years ago. My journey is quite the testimony for anyone looking to make that leap of faith into having their own business. I went from being a successful HR manager earning almost 70k a year to starting my own business. It took about 1.5-2 years before I started making a real profit. In between that time I had part time jobs to supplement my income until my clientele base was built up. It took for me to fully remove the safety net of having that financial cushion and jumping straight into my business, devoting endless hours to networking, marketing and just meeting people. Lucky for me, my network within my local market between photographers and other artist was already built and so it didn’t take me long at all to hit the ground running. I stand firm that your network is your net worth and there are no days off on the beginning. There were many of days that I second guessed whether I made the right decision but, I was quickly corrected by the universe and business would literally fall into my lap.

Ashley , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I first started doing makeup when I began modeling and the makeup artist wouldn’t have enough time to get to all the models or didn’t show up to the event. Makeup was something I always loved even as a child and so growing up I knew once I decided to leave corporate America and start my own business that I needed to choose something I loved. When I’m doing makeup, it’s like I’m in my element. It’s not only my creative space but, I never feel like I’m working. Since starting makeup, I expanded into hair styling for weddings, events, and photoshoots.The biggest problem I help solve for my clients while their in my chair is the journey of rediscovering a new version of themselves. Often times as women we are busy doing for everyone else and we forgot to take time out for ourselves. I make it point to connect with all of my clients and to help them boost their confidence and enhance their best features, all while making them feel great about themselves. What sets me apart from the average artist is my energy and my skill. Im not the cookie cutter artist. I’m a people person and I love connecting with people and creating an experience in my chair. I’m the artist that is versatile in my skill set and can achieve everything from a “no makeup” makeup look to a full fledge transformation. I’m also a one stop shop being that I offer both hair and makeup. I listen to my clients and their needs and I deliver what they ask for. I’ve since expanded my services and team to accommodate large bridal parties. I’m most proud of my accomplishments being a multi published artist and respected professional in my industry. From my bridal clients to my photoshoot models, I want everyone to know they are in great hands.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Imagine taking your leap of faith to start your business 5 years ago as a makeup artist. I remember having the discussion with my husband at the time about my plans to make the transition out of corporate America. We came up with a plan and I left my job making close to 70k a year. Two months later, I discovered he had been unfaithful and we decided to divorce. My plan had come crashing down! I had two small children and a brand new business and no clientele, two cars, and home to balance on my own! I had no where to go but up. I quickly devised a plan B and worked a part time job and put all my energy and time into building relationships and my clientele up as quickly as I could. I started doing bridal expos and working on honing my skills.

Fast forward to two years of hard work, I got to the place where I was booked three months in advance. Then life happened. My 2 year old suffered an anaphylactic reaction that left her in a coma and unresponsive for some time. After spending months in the hospital, I was forced to walk away from my business for 2 years until I was able to get her health to a stable place. I walked away from everything I built overnight when she got sick. It took me two years to rebuild my business and now I’m almost back to that place of being booked out a couple months in advance.

I’m a living testimony that with faith and resilience, anything is possible.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Society can support their local artist by investing in our services. Our gifts, our skills, and our time are what we use to help keep a roof over our heads and to be able on share our gifts with the world isn’t always cheap. Realizing the art of makeup artistry is an investment, a luxury at that, and the time that artist took to not only master their skill set to do your makeup or hair in an hour or less is most definitely valuable. Realizing that there is more to artistry that the art itself, it’s about the overall experience that artist brings to the table when you are in their chair.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.reigningartistry.com
• Instagram: Www.instagram.com/reigningartistry
• Facebook: Www.Facebook.com/ReigningArtistry

Image Credits:
Image 1: Hair by @reigningartistry Image 2 @leesuurr Makeup: @reigningartistry with @victoriadukebeauty Photographer: @carlosvelezstudios Wardrobe by @lacasahermosa Image 3 Model @ladylizwin Hairstyling @reigningartistry Makeup @reigningartistry Photographer @doshvisuals Image 4 Makeup : @reigningartistry Image 5 @victoriadisorbo Miss Teen Florida USA 2017 and @linetteeeeee Miss Florida USA 2017 Photographer @carlosvelezstudios. Makeup by @reigningartistry with @victoriadukebeauty. Image 6 @brandijewel_ : @portraitbylarissa Mua: @reigningartistry Image 7 @sashabankswwe HMUA: @reigningartistry Wardrobe stylist: @avilaluna_ @frolova.photo Retoucher: @malkovskaya.retouch Image 8 Model: @gabrielajxnes : @alliembers.photography Corset: @corsetstory Styling: @alliembers.photography @reigningartistry