We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brooklyn-Niori Floyd a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Brooklyn-Niori, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your business and how did you resolve those issues?
That’s a really good question! I would say for me is when the pandemic first hit nationwide around March of 2020. At that time I was really starting to take off with my business (Elite Beauty & Media Company), clients connecting with me for big contracts, events, and other services. My name was getting around the industry (entertainment, media, & beauty) quite quickly. Things were really going down a successful path for me. I truly remember it like it was yesterday. As time progressed on during the pandemic things majorly slowed down until it all came to a halt. Nationwide we were on a shutdown, meaning we had no more events going on, we couldn’t be around a certain amount of people in closed spaces, going to see a client in their home wasn’t even an option. For a duration of almost 3 in a half years 2020-2023 this went on. This impacted my business massively, it was very heart breaking knowing all the work I put in before hand finally getting things off the ground to immediately putting a stop to the business. Since then recovering from the pandemic has be a challenge, things are still not the same for myself and a lot of others including their businesses. Which many had to permanently shutdown due to never bouncing back from that hard hit! My main focus over the past year and a half has been to rebrand, get my business out their to the social media world, word of mouth, going to networking events, and inserting myself where I need to be physically or digitally at the right moment. Educating myself has been a big thing for me as well, especially since the world is always evolving you can never stop learning. Staying positive and optimistic no matter how slow or fast my business progresses I will get to where I want to be in the right ordained timeframe. There is good days and bad days but, staying grounded and true to myself and my purpose is keeping me motivated to make a dream a reality!
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.
Growing up I wasn’t the most fortunate but, something that always burned within me was my passion for beauty, art, and fashion. I always looked forward to when I would visit my grandma as a young girl, my outfits she would put together for me. They looked as if it was straight out of a kids fashion magazine. Ready to strut my beautiful looks outside as if it was a runway. Self upkeep and hygiene played a big part in my life. I’ve experienced going to the hair salons at a very young age. It was very exciting to me watching all the ladies hairstyles come to life. At that very moment, a piece of that memory stuck with me for the long haul. I started doing hair on my dolls/mannequins creating all types of styles.
As I became a teen in high school, I took a strong interest in art/design. I loved drawing also sketching fashion designs. In art class, I was always the one who’s drawings made it to the front of the school’s entryway for display. The skill of art and creativity definitely ran in the family. Halfway through high school, I planned on going to school for art and design but life circumstances changed that path for me. Fast forwarding some years, I became a mother to a lovely daughter. I decided to go back to school I didn’t want to continue working dead end jobs, I wanted a career! It was time to sign up to pursue my passion becoming a Cosmetologist. I attended Truman College for Advanced Cosmetology in Chicago, Illinois.
In the midst of me going to school, I experienced so much, working with celebrities, celebrity hairstylist, and makeup artist. Learning so many different techniques bettering my craft as an artist. I got to work with B.E.T Networks for a televised Hair Battle in Atlanta, that was an amazing moment. Later on I picked up Makeup Artistry, I’ve always had interest in makeup but never really did it for others.
When I finished Cosmetology school in 2014, I decided I wanted to go to makeup school to learn more about the art and foundation of makeup as well as skincare. I had faced many difficult challenges along the way trying to work for some major makeup companies. Therefore, I decided to become a traveling Makeup Artist/Hairstylist. Trying to get my name out there while building clientele, which really isn’t the easiest thing to do. Finally, in 2016 I landed a job with Estée Lauder/ Clinique (Regional Freelance Artist), Bobbi Brown, Chanel, Laura Mercier, just to name a few. I was with them for a few years as a freelancer. Later on, landing a contract as a Regional Beauty Sales Coordinator with Proactiv.
As of now I’ve been in the industry for 12 years, still can’t believe it! I’m a Serial Entrepreneur wearing many hats. Working as a Freelance Makeup Artist, Hairstylist and Photographer. Slowly but surely continuing to build my own business up taking the necessary steps for success. There’s definitely been some pauses also bumps in between but, never giving up on my vision.
The name of my business is Casà of Beauty Arts we are a mobile on demand- Elite Beauty and Media Company based in Chicago. Something that helps me see eye to eye with every client, is being personable giving them that moment to convey their words and vision making it into reality. Client satisfaction is top priority and creating a magical unforgettable experience. Those components combined sets me aside from other competitors. I’ve been able to work with high profile clients such as Fenty Beauty, Calvin Klein, NBA All Star Events, Timberland clothing brand, just to name a few. To say the least working tons of weddings, events, red carpets etc.
My goal in the near future is to actually step away from being so hands on, opening a freestanding business space. Having somewhat of an agency to give needed job opportunities for upcoming talented individuals connections into the industry, that I didn’t have when I first started. As well as conducting classes for all skill sets to stay on trend in the industry etc. I plan on looking into financial grant opportunities as well to help aid my plan. I want to be able to leave my mark for my child, family and the world. Creating generational wealth for my daughter is an even bigger goal of mines.
What I do on the side and hobby, Im currently a lifestyle, travel, and wellness content creator. I did attend school for medical/healthcare. Health and wellness is a huge part of me also it’s something I am passionate about. I would say I’m more on the holistic approach when it comes to it. Hopefully in the near future I can do something on the business side to offer the public community. Till then I love sharing health tips, recipes, healthy lifestyle choices etc onto my social platforms. traveling to different clients such as photographers for photoshoots, weddings, fashion shows, everyday working client or events.
I’m very proud of how far I’ve come and how my skills have evolved. Especially, juggling all of this while still being a full-time single mother! At times I don’t give myself a lot of praise because I always feel that I could do more. I’m a very humble person, due to my journey in life it has molded me into this form. This has truly been a long journey for me but my time is now and with the help of the higher power all things are possible, success is mine!
How did you build your audience on social media?
Building your audience isn’t easy, no matter what app you’re on. You really have to put in the WORK! Even to this day I’m still not where I want to be on either my business or personal content platform. What I can say is be your true authentic self. Make sure your personality, craft, engagement is showing with every post. That is what’s going to build your niche and audience to your platform. Be consistent, post at-least once a day you want to stay relevant. Social media is all about engagement with others (likes, comments, shares), relevancy, consistency, algorithm also aesthetic. With every photo or video you take the lighting must be good (ring lights or studio lighting), in frame, as well as quality footage at least 1080p nothing less. This is something that has tremendously helped me gain relevancy on my social media pages. Just take it a moment at a time, don’t overwhelm yourself because, it will give yourself grace. You got this!
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I would say my drive and dedication to my craft. Building my relevancy in the industry has not happened overnight. I have put in years of hard work, pro bono work, on the job experience, many training classes that I’ve paid for out of pocket, building my presence on social media and it’s all about who you know in the beauty/media industry! Tons of networking/mixers over the years has helped make a dent, giving out my business cards out while saying a brief bio about my business. Those are a few key strategies that helped along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://casaofbeautyarts.wixsite.com/casaofbeautyarts
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mizbrooklynnyc?igsh=NDRmcHAxb3IxdzZk&utm_source=qr
