We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alondria Williams a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alondria, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

If someone would have told me 7 years ago when I first started freelancing, that I’d be where I am now I wouldn’t have believed them! Being able to make a living from my passion is a blessing that I am always amazed by! It definitely takes discipline to properly manage my finances. Which I’ll admit, for years I struggled to get a plan/budget that actually worked for me. I was accustomed to getting a paycheck at the end of each week, versus when I became an entrepreneur and began to get paid after each appointment. Overall, it is an indescribable feeling to be trusted by so many women to do what I love and be paid well to do it!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Dria and I am a 27 year old self taught makeup artist! I have always had a passion for makeup even as a child. As I got older that love for it grew as well! I began doing makeup professionally at the age of 21. I met a young lady at a time in my life were I was praying to God to reveal my purpose/calling to me. I had never thought about being a makeup artist I just enjoyed doing my own makeup. However, when she asked me to do her makeup I saw an opportunity and took it! I got comfortable doing her makeup and shortly after I started marketing my work on Instagram and started booking clients. I worked extremely hard for years to perfect my craft and grow my clientele. I was determined to be my best!

I believe what sets me apart from other artist is my style of makeup, and the level of care and service I provide to my clients! I have put many years into perfecting my craft to ensure I consistently provide exceptional makeup looks. I really love what I do and I believe that shows as well. I try to provide an experience for each and every one of my clients that they won’t foget!

Over the course of my career, I’d say the biggest lesson I’ve learned is it takes a lot of discipline and sacrifice. Entrepreneurship is a beautiful thing but it comes with great responsibility. You have to get up and do the work to reap the benefits and you truly do get out what you put in. Which is why the passion has to be there for your business. If I can be honest, I don’t always feel like showing up but the passion for my craft and my clients keep me going!

I recently had the pleasure of doing the singer Ashanti’s makeup for an event while she was here in Memphis! It was a surreal experience that I will never forget! I launched my cosmetic line D’von Beauty this month! I also began doing one on one makeup classes for ladies who want to learn how to do their own makeup! I’ve come so far but I believe that this is only the beginning!

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Absolutely! Starting out I was a one woman show, meaning I was doing everything on my own. I took care of marketing, running my social accounts, managing appointments, traveling to clients, and coming up with new ways to improve my business and so much more! I was overworking and exhausting myself early on. Being the only person in my family to do what I am doing, often made me feel as though I had no one to turn to for help. At the time I wasn’t making enough money to hire someone and honestly, I didn’t trust anyone to help me.

Eventually, I started to put systems in place and it was a game changer! I did my research and found out about booking websites, so instead of having to write down my appointments and take deposits, my site took care of that. I got a makeup studio and cut out traveling which freed up more of my time. Getting a studio also made my clients more comfortable as well. Another resource that helped me a lot is Etsy and Canva for my social media marketing! Implementing these resources not only freed up more of my time but also increased my revenue tremendously!

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

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is, completing a makeup look and seeing my clients face light up with excitement at their makeup! Although I’ve been a makeup artist for many years, I still feel a bit of anxiety some days. I do my absolute best on each and every one of my clients in hopes that they will love it!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.driathemua.as.me
• Instagram: @DriaTheMUA
• Facebook: Dria The MUA
• Other: www.dvonbeauty.com

Image Credits
Photos are by Candace Monie