We were lucky to catch up with Lyric “Laylay* recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lyric “Laylay* 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?

By the grace of the Most High, yes—I’ve been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work as a makeup artist. But let me tell you, it wasn’t always glitz and glam!

The journey? Whew—not for the faint of heart. I took several steps back before I finally took that leap of faith. In my early days, I was hustling hard—freelancing for multiple brands at once, grinding day and night in my Birth Place of New York City. I was also an artistry trainer for a brand that, isn’t really in the business anymore.

Then came the move back to Orlando. Talk about culture shock! The pace was wayyy slower than my NYC rhythm, and I had to adjust. Orlando was a completely new market for me, but I was blessed to work alongside an amazing group of artists. We learned from each other, uplifted one another, and most of us are now thriving in our own right. That time was truly golden.

Would I have sped up the process? Honestly… no. I’m a firm believer that timing is divine. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. His watch, not mine.

The turning point came when I was offered a leadership role in retail—and I declined. That’s when it clicked: I didn’t want to sell makeup anymore. I wanted to connect with people, celebrate their special moments, and build something beautiful of my own. I wanted weddings. I wanted events. I wanted a team. A fierce one.

Those first two years were tough—I was still freelancing in retail to make ends meet. But one day I said to myself: “Either I’m diving all the way in, or this will never be real.” And I dove.

That was 12 years ago.

Today, I’m surrounded by an incredible community of women, and we’re all thriving. Our team is one of the most recognized in Central Florida (and beyond!)—and I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything.

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?

Hey y’all! I’m Laylay Duchatelier, founder of A Touch of Fierce—a beauty brand based in Central Florida, specializing in bridal glam, event makeup, and curated artistry experiences. My journey started in NYC, where I hustled as a freelance artist and trainer, before taking a leap of faith and planting roots in Orlando.

Starting fresh in a new market wasn’t easy, but it gave me the space to grow, build community, and create something special. I didn’t just want to sell makeup—I wanted to make moments magical and help women feel radiant, confident, and celebrated.

What sets us apart? Our connection to people, our fierce energy, and our commitment to excellence. I’ve built an incredible team of women, and together, we’ve become one of the most recognized beauty teams in Central Florida.

This work is rooted in faith, love, and purpose—and I’m so proud of how far we’ve come. When you book A Touch of Fierce, you’re getting more than makeup—you’re getting an unforgettable experience.

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

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is the impact. It’s the moment someone looks in the mirror and their entire posture changes—that glow, that confidence, that “wow, this is me?” feeling. That’s everything.

As a makeup artist, I get to be part of people’s most special, emotional, and unforgettable moments. It’s so much more than the glam—it’s the trust they place in me to make them feel their best on some of the biggest days of their lives. Whether it’s a bride walking down the aisle or someone simply needing a reminder of how powerful and beautiful they are—I get to be part of that transformation.

It’s also the freedom to create, to express, to build something from nothing, and watch it bloom. To have taken a leap of faith and now be able to do what I love, with purpose, while building community—that’s the gift.

And honestly? There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the women around me rise, thrive, and glow. That’s what keeps me going.

How did you build your audience on social media?

We may not have hundreds of thousands of followers, but what we do have is a loyal, supportive, and genuine community of nearly 8,000 friends of our brand. These are real people who know us or of us, refer us, book us, and truly believe in what we do. That means more to me than any number ever could.

Our social media presence has been a journey of slow, steady, and organic growth. Nothing was overnight—we built it brick by brick through real connections, quality work, word of mouth, and staying true to who we are. Every post, every story, every message has been a reflection of our heart, our hustle, and our mission.

We use our platform to not just showcase pretty makeup (though we love a glam moment!), but to tell stories, celebrate our clients, and give a peek into the magic behind the scenes. As we continue to grow, I know we’ll keep welcoming new faces—faces that will, God-willing, one day sit in our chairs and become part of the A Touch of Fierce family.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://atouchoffierce.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atouchoffierce/?hl=en

Image Credits

Solo & Team Pictures by Mr. Porter Photography, Bride picture in the purple is by Peter Nguyen Studio.