We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mimi Sutphin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Mimi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.
My business was doing okay at first. I had a steady flow of makeup and lash clients, but I knew I was still playing it safe. Once I graduated from cosmetology school, everything shifted. I was done hustling just to keep my head above water. I was ready to raise my prices, cut the excuses, and go all in on myself, even if that meant struggling in the beginning.
I remember right after graduation, I was making just enough to cover my bills and help my family, but I was not enjoying the fruits of my labor. I was taking every client who inquired, working unreasonable hours, and saying yes to anything just to keep up. I finally got my first suite, and even then, I couldn’t furnish it the way I wanted. I was showing up and giving my all, but it felt like I was working for the bare minimum. That was the moment I realized I needed to turn myself up. I had to get hungry. I had to figure out how to build a business that not only made money, but made enough for me to reinvest, make a living, and save without burning out.
Going full time was not glamorous. There were weeks I questioned everything. No check came unless I earned it. I had to create structure from scratch. I figured out how many faces and sets I needed each week, how to price with intention, and how to market myself even when I felt drained or overlooked.
The biggest shift was in my mindset. I had to fight through imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and fear. I kept wondering if I really had what it took. But once I owned my talent and claimed what I deserved, everything changed. I committed to my craft and built a real system around it. That same system became the foundation of my mentorship program and the guided textbook I created for beauty professionals who are ready to move with strategy and power.
Scaling up was not easy. It was messy, emotional, and uncomfortable. But I came out of it with a business that supports me, and a blueprint that helps others break free from survival mode and step into their next level.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am the owner of Five Star Beauti, a beauty brand built on intention, education, and results. I specialize in bold, full glam makeup and lash artistry that leaves my clients feeling confident and unforgettable. After graduating cosmetology school, I turned my passion into a real business with structure and purpose.
At Five Star Beauti, I offer services, classes, and digital resources for beauty professionals ready to elevate their craft. My signature style is full glam with bold eyeshadow, and what sets me apart is how much I pour into both my clients and my students. I am proud to have built a name so strong in my community that even people I once looked up to now come to me for guidance.
Five Star Beauti is more than just beauty. Through my services, mentorship, and guided textbook, I help artists transform their confidence, their business, and their future.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
In high school, I wore makeup every day. I did it simply for the love of the art, not thinking much of it at first. But I found something I was truly good at. One day, a girl from the band asked me to do her makeup for a game. After that, word started spreading and I slowly began getting more inquiries. Before I knew it, I had a steady little side hustle.
Once I realized I was making more doing makeup on my own than I was clocking in at Home Depot, I started to see the bigger picture. I knew I had something real, something I could grow. But fear held me back. I had already dropped out of cosmetology school once and part of me questioned if I was really ready for that next step.
Eventually, the business became too consistent to ignore. I was getting booked, but I was losing my passion. It was because I was playing small and letting fear dictate how far I would go. The moment I decided to go back to school and finish what I started was when everything changed. That choice gave me the foundation, the confidence, and the credentials to build something bigger than I imagined.
Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?
Yes, my business has multiple revenue streams. In addition to makeup and lash services, I offer one-on-one beauty classes, digital downloads, and mentorship programs for aspiring beauty professionals. I also sell branded merch and plan exclusive events that bring in both service income and education-based revenue.
Expanding my income streams was not just about making more money. It was about building stability and giving myself the freedom to grow. Everything I offer is connected to the core of my brand, which is helping beauty professionals elevate their craft and build real businesses. Whether someone sits in my chair or learns from my textbook, they are tapping into the Five Star experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.fivestarbeauti.as.me
- Instagram: MissFiveStarMi/FiveStarBeauti
- Facebook: Mimi Marie
