We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Salem Tewolde. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Salem below.
Alright, Salem thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
Choosing just one project as the most meaningful is difficult, as every project I take on holds a special place in my heart, regardless of scale. However, if I were to identify one experience that stands apart, it would be my volunteer work at the Arthur M. Blank Children’s Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. On two separate occasions, I had the honor of providing makeup and face painting for the children receiving care there.
What I love most about my work is the joy it brings to others, so when this opportunity was presented to me, I accepted without hesitation. Many of the children at the hospital are facing serious illnesses, and witnessing their strength and resilience was both humbling and deeply moving. Being able to offer even a small moment of happiness through creativity, color, and personal connection felt incredibly meaningful.
Seeing their smiles, hearing their laughter, and sharing genuine moments of joy made the experience unforgettable. Those moments reminded me why I do what I do and reinforced the power of kindness and creativity. This work touched me just as deeply as I hope it touched the children, and it is an experience I would gladly repeat time and time again. It truly warmed my heart. This project solidified my purpose and left a lasting impact on both my professional journey and my spirit.
Salem, 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?
My name is Salem Tewolde, and I am the Founder and CEO of Bombula Beauty. I am a professional and celebrity makeup artist with over a decade of experience providing high-quality makeup services to clients worldwide. My journey into the beauty industry was driven by a lifelong passion for makeup and artistry that began at a young age. As that passion evolved, I made the deliberate decision to pursue beauty as a profession. In March 2016, I took a significant step forward by relocating from Denver, Colorado to Atlanta to officially launch Bombula Beauty. Leaving my family and the life I had built behind was a challenging decision, but it was one I made with confidence and purpose. Guided by faith and a strong sense of calling, I trusted the process and committed fully to building Bombula Beauty into a brand rooted in excellence, authenticity, and vision.
After relocating to Atlanta, I began my journey working behind the counter at a major beauty brand. While the experience provided valuable industry insight and foundational skills, I knew it was only the starting point. I was motivated to expand my opportunities and fully step into my potential rather than limit my growth. I made a strategic effort to attend networking events throughout Atlanta, intentionally building relationships and positioning myself within influential spaces. As a result, my clientele grew steadily, allowing me to transition into working independently and ultimately become the first entrepreneur in my family. Since then, my career has expanded globally. I have had the opportunity to work on award shows, major film festivals, red carpet premieres, music videos, television productions, and other high-profile projects, further establishing my presence and credibility within the beauty industry.
What sets Bombula Beauty apart within the beauty industry is its foundation of authenticity, purpose, and genuine human connection. The brand is rooted in care, compassion, and intention, focusing not only on enhancing appearance, but on helping individuals feel confident, valued, and truly seen. Unlike many beauty brands, Bombula Beauty is deeply committed to giving back in a personal and hands-on way. Through volunteer work, the brand uses artistry as a tool to bring joy, comfort, and confidence to those who need it most. This commitment reflects a belief that beauty extends far beyond glamour. Bombula Beauty represents passion transformed into purpose. Built on years of dedication, growth, and respect for the craft, rather than temporary trends, the brand is strengthened by lived experience and hands-on expertise. This depth, authenticity, and credibility are what truly distinguish Bombula Beauty and make it impossible to replicate.
What I am most proud of is having the courage to take the initial leap of faith that led to the creation of Bombula Beauty, now a thriving beauty empire. At the time, I had no formal business training, entrepreneurial experience, or mentorship. The journey began with nothing but faith, determination, and belief in my purpose. I always knew I was meant for something greater, though I never imagined reaching this level of success. Becoming the first entrepreneur in my family has been especially meaningful, as it represents breaking generational barriers and redefining what is possible. Today, I am fully walking in my purpose. Above all, my goal is to leave a lasting legacy and serve as a source of inspiration for women and aspiring business owners, showing that faith, resilience, and courage can turn vision into reality.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the most important lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that making mistakes equates to failure. Early in my career, I was hesitant to take the next step because I feared not doing things “perfectly.” Over time, I came to understand that mistakes are not setbacks, but essential experiences that shape growth, resilience, and personal development. I learned that perfection is unrealistic, and that progress comes from learning through action.
A defining example of this lesson was my hesitation to host a pop-up shop for Bombula Beauty. For a long time, I delayed the idea because I felt it needed to meet an unrealistic standard, something “perfect” or “Instagram-worthy,” similar to the extravagant, celebrity-driven beauty pop-ups often seen on social media. Eventually, I realized that waiting for perfection was only holding me back. I reminded myself that those who genuinely support my brand would show up not because of appearances, but because they believe in the mission and values behind it.
In January 2026, I finally took that step and hosted my pop-up shop. It exceeded my expectations and was a tremendous success, reinforcing the lesson that action matters more than perfection. In the end, much of the worry that once held me back proved unnecessary, and the experience confirmed the value of trusting the process and moving forward with confidence. The confidence I carry today is rooted in the continual growth of my relationship with God.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The mission driving my creative journey is my desire to leave a meaningful and lasting legacy. I want my story to inspire as many people as possible and encourage them to pursue their goals without fear or hesitation. I aim to show others that, despite uncertainty or obstacles, things do work out in the end when you remain committed and faithful to your purpose.
Central to my journey is my faith. I firmly believe that none of this is possible without God, and that when God is placed first, everything else aligns as it should. The legacy one seeks to build lies beyond fear, requiring courage, trust, and the willingness to step outside of one’s comfort zone.
Coming from an immigrant household where pursuing a passion as a career was not initially supported, my journey has been especially challenging because of this. Building a brand without the encouragement of my parents, the most important people in my life, required resilience, discipline, and unwavering determination. While their support has grown as a result of my continued accomplishments and hard work, the experience taught me perseverance. Ultimately, my journey stands as proof that with faith, dedication, and courage, success is possible, and if I can achieve it, others can as well.
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