We recently connected with Emeli Reed and have shared our conversation below.

Emeli, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

There are many freedoms when it comes to being self-employed. I’m able to create my own schedule and organize my administrative work. My job is something I’ve dreamt of doing since my adolescence. Although, I do think it’s normal to imagine those ‘what if’s’. What if my career path was steered in a different direction? What would it be like to follow the social norm of a 9-5 job? I had a slight epiphany in 2021 during one of my busiest times of the year. If you work in the beauty industry, you know how outrageous 2021 was! I had worked a great deal and it caused me to experience immense back pain for the first time. When you experience any kind of extreme body pain, it’s all you think about and it can affect your everyday life. Working long days while on your feet can take a toll on the body and I had to rationalize if being a Makeup Artist was something I wanted to do long term, but I knew I did not want to endure back pain like that ever again. On top of the physical pain, I also felt mentally burnt out. It was a period of time where I had doubts about my life and work choices. I imagined what my life would be like if I had a stable income job with benefits, a 410K, and a fixed schedule.

As previously stated, I find it normal to wonder what it would be like to have a regular job. There’s a stigma that if you’re doing something you love then you’ll be happy, but it’s okay to have those confusing and doubtful moments! I had those doubts while going through my mental and physical hardship, but I wouldn’t trade my career for anything in the world. I internalized and concluded that I am fortunate to not only own my own business, but to be growing as an entrepreneur.

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

Hi! My name is Emeli Reed. I’m a Certified Makeup Artist based in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. I have over 5 years of experience within the industry. I do makeup for weddings, photo shoots, and special occasions! Makeup Artistry has been my passion ever since I was a teenager. I initially was self-taught and spent the vast majority of my adolescence practicing and learning from Youtube beauty videos! I attended makeup schooling where I received my makeup certification in 2016. It was there where I broadened my knowledge and skills to set forth myself into the industry. I’m most proud of my growth and the relationships I’ve created with my clients and other creatives. As a business owner, I’m constantly learning and encountering different experiences. I bring to my work a professionalism that can only be found in those who genuinely love the work they create. My priority as a Makeup Artist is to make my clients feel confident and beautiful! My favorite type of makeup work is editorial and fashion! There’s something so mesmerizing about the precision and creativity that goes into that type of work. One of my ultimate career goals is to have my work shown on the cover of Vogue!

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

Working in the service industry, there’s a saying you hear most often which is “The customer is always right.” I believe in providing the upmost professionalism and accommodation during my time with a client. Although, there is a certain point where that accommodation can be taken advantage of. What I’ve learned while working in the industry is you can’t please everyone. It was a hard lesson for me to unlearn because I am a people pleaser. I’ve been in situations where people feel entitled to treat me in a disrespectful manner or think they have certain power over me. I knew these situations were something I had to prepare for since I would be engaging with various kinds of people. Even though it’s scary to undergo those circumstances; my priority first and foremost was to protect myself and my peace of mind. It’s extremely important as a business owner to create contracts, be stern with your policies and stand up for yourself!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

When I began my career, I advertised myself a lot on local Facebook groups. These groups were specifically for mom’s and locals to engage and ask questions about their city. I would advertise specials for events and makeup lessons. I gained new clientele that way and eventually my services were spread by word of mouth! Overtime, I was able to build my clientele and following on Instagram. I also started working with a few wedding teams on dates I wasn’t booked and was able to network with local vendors. Social media, networking, patience, and consistency in posting my work were all key factors in growing my clientele. It took time but being persistent enabled that progression.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/emelireedartistry

Image Credits
Laura Perkins Ashlynn Viere Kellie Kay Veach Don Weaver Meg Layman