We were lucky to catch up with Raven Bourne recently and have shared our conversation below.

Raven, appreciate you joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

I actually started my journey as a makeup artist back in 2014, but at the time, I didn’t see it as “starting a business.” It was more of a curiosity that turned into something I couldn’t let go of.

I was working at a well-known makeup counter, and that’s where everything clicked for me. I became really interested in not just how to apply makeup, but the history behind it, the products, the techniques, and how different looks translate across different face shapes and skin tones. That environment gave me my foundation. I was learning in real time, working with real clients, and building my confidence through repetition.

Outside of work, I started practicing constantly. I would do makeup on friends, take photos, study trends, and teach myself new techniques. At that stage, it was a lot of trial and error. There wasn’t a clear roadmap, so I had to figure out things like pricing, client communication, and how to position myself as a professional on my own.

While I was in college, I continued to build my client base on the side. I was balancing school and bookings, doing makeup for proms, special events, and photoshoots whenever I could. That period was really important because it taught me how to manage my time, deliver consistent results, and start building a reputation through word of mouth.

After graduating from the University of South Florida in 2018, I made the decision to take it more seriously as a business. I leaned into being a traveling makeup artist, which meant I had to figure out logistics, scheduling, and how to create a seamless experience for clients from start to finish. I also focused heavily on branding myself online, making sure my work reflected both creativity and versatility.

Over time, I found my niche in creating soft, glowing, natural looks while still having the ability to execute more bold and artistic styles when needed. I also made it a priority to stay educated. I’ve always treated makeup like something you have to continuously study, which is why I describe myself as a bit of a “makeup encyclopedia.”

Looking back, the transition from idea to execution wasn’t one big moment. It was a series of small decisions. Saying yes to doing someone’s makeup. Posting my work. Charging for my services. Showing up consistently. Over time, those small steps built the foundation for what is now a professional, traveling makeup business.

Now, my work has been featured on platforms like ABC News and Barcroft, and I’ve had the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients. But at the core of it, it still comes back to the same thing. I genuinely love what I do, and I love making people feel confident in their own skin.

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.

My name is Raven, and I’m a professional traveling makeup artist with a background in CPG marketing, branding, and social media. I originally got into makeup in 2014 while working at a makeup counter, where I became deeply interested not just in application, but in the full ecosystem of beauty. I was studying products, techniques, skin types, and the history of cosmetics while also working hands-on with clients every day.

Over time, what started as a job turned into a craft I took seriously. While I was in college, I continued building my client base by doing makeup for proms, special events, and photoshoots. After graduating from the University of South Florida in 2018, I transitioned into working as a professional traveling MUA and focused on building a brand that felt both approachable and high quality.

Today, I specialize in creating soft, glowing, natural makeup that enhances my clients rather than overpowering them. At the same time, I have a strong creative side and love doing bold, artistic looks for editorial and content purposes. That balance allows me to serve a wide range of clients, from everyday bookings to more creative projects.

What sets me apart is how I think about the experience as a whole. My background in marketing and branding naturally carries into my work, so I don’t just focus on the final look, I focus on how the client feels, how the makeup translates on camera, and how the overall experience is delivered. I aim to make every client feel comfortable, confident, and taken care of, whether it’s their first time getting their makeup done or they are used to being in front of the camera.

I also prioritize education. I spend a lot of time staying up to date on trends, techniques, and product knowledge so I can guide my clients and not just provide a service. I want to be someone people trust when it comes to beauty, not just someone they book.

One of the things I’m most proud of is how organically my business has grown. A lot of my work has come through word of mouth and relationships, which tells me that people are not only happy with the results, but with the experience. My work has also been featured on platforms like ABC News and Barcroft, which was a huge milestone for me and a reminder of how far I’ve come from where I started.

At its core, my brand is about enhancing confidence. I want people to feel like the best version of themselves when they sit in my chair. I also want them to feel comfortable asking questions, learning, and enjoying the process.

As I’ve grown, I’ve also started expanding into creative direction and brand-focused work, where I can combine my makeup artistry with my marketing background. Whether I’m working one-on-one with a client or contributing to a larger creative project, my goal is always the same: to create something that feels intentional, elevated, and aligned with the person or brand I’m working with.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that being talented or “good at what you do” is enough to build a successful business.

When I first started as a makeup artist, I focused heavily on perfecting my craft. I spent hours learning techniques, studying products, and making sure my work looked great. I assumed that if I was skilled enough, the opportunities, clients, and recognition would naturally follow.

What I didn’t realize at the time is that talent is only one part of the equation.

The turning point for me came when I noticed that there were artists who were just as talented, or sometimes even less experienced, but they were booking more clients, getting more visibility, and building stronger brands. At first, that was frustrating. But it forced me to step back and look at what I was missing.

I had to unlearn the idea that my work would “speak for itself.”

Instead, I had to learn how to advocate for myself, market my services, communicate my value, and create a full client experience. I started paying more attention to branding, positioning, and how I showed up online. I learned how to talk about my work in a way that made people understand why it mattered, not just what I did.

That shift changed everything.

It not only helped me grow as a makeup artist, but it also opened the door for me to expand into branding, content, and creative direction. I started to see that the way something is presented is just as important as the work itself.

Now, I approach everything I do with that mindset. Whether I’m working with a client or building a larger project, I think about both the quality of the work and how it’s experienced, communicated, and remembered.

That was a hard lesson to learn, but it’s one of the most valuable ones I’ve carried with me.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots in my career came from realizing that I didn’t just want to work in beauty, I wanted to influence how beauty and lifestyle brands connect with people.

I started as a makeup artist, and over time I built a solid client base and really honed my craft. At the same time, I was also working in marketing, specifically in CPG and social media. I was constantly thinking about brand positioning, consumer behavior, and what actually drives people to try and trust a product.

The pivot happened when I started noticing a gap.

I was attending events and working with clients, and I kept thinking, “Brands are spending money to show up in these spaces, but they’re not always getting real, measurable value.” There was often product present, but no real structure around content, storytelling, or how that experience translated beyond the moment.

That’s when things clicked for me.

Instead of choosing between makeup or marketing, I decided to combine both and build something new. I started creating my own events, not just as social gatherings, but as intentional, community driven brand activations.

The first one was STRONGHER TOGETHER, a women’s workout and networking event in Dallas. What started as a simple idea turned into a full activation with close to 200 RSVPs, multiple CPG sponsors, a creative team, and structured content capture designed to give brands assets they could actually use after the event.

That pivot required me to step into a completely different role. I had to think like a founder, not just a creative. I was handling brand outreach, negotiating partnerships, coordinating logistics, building a team, and making sure the experience delivered value on both sides, for attendees and for brands.

It was uncomfortable at first because I was moving into something that didn’t have a clear blueprint. But it also felt like the most aligned thing I had done.

Now, I see my work as sitting at the intersection of community, content, and brand strategy. I still carry my foundation as a makeup artist, but I’ve expanded it into something bigger, where I’m not just part of the experience, I’m building the entire ecosystem around it.

That pivot taught me that sometimes your next level isn’t about starting over, it’s about combining everything you already know and applying it in a new way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rayesfaces.square.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayesfaces/
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