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

Darian, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you’re open to it, can you talk to us about the best (or worst) investment you’ve made. What’s the backstory and the relevant context behind why you made the investment

The best investment I made in terms of my business, was the investment in me and my talents. I decided that I will change my mindset, become my brand, and educate myself every chance I got to be better and more effective. I went back to school to get my license, asked other professionals in my field for advice, paid for seminars, and PRACTICED! I wanted to be taken seriously and professionally and one day work up my brand. Through this process, I met so many talented individuals that not only taught me things but an even exchange was made. So far it has played out for the better and each day I and working closer to my goals.

Darian, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am Darian Williams, a North Carolina native Esthetician and Content Creator. I got into the beauty industry at a really young age. I used to sneak and use my mother’s makeup and record tutorial on my camera phone or digital camera. When I turned 16 years old, I decided to take it more serious and post videos on social media. By the time I got to college I was vlogging, doing makeup tutorials and showing how a day in my life would be. People started to ask for my services and the story grows from there. I always had a passion for beauty and content creating but still to this day it is a struggle for balance my college degree and license at the same time. My discipline always needs some work but I like to write down and plan out everything and adjust from there. What I am most proud of is my determination to make it. I have a great support system from my friends and family and I am constantly praying and pushing myself to new heights. What makes me different from others are I make my mistakes into testimonies, art, reminders, and motivation for me and the next legacy that will be built.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

The hardest story to tell to this day is the day that I lost my father. I lost my father in the middle of a hard transition into adulthood. I was struggle to find this new version of myself as a adult who just lost her best friend. One thing that my father always exhibited was hard work. Both, my brother and I doubled down on working hard, finishing what we started and expanding and developing legacies. After I graduated college and got a successful career job I decided to make Dar2Sparkle a brand. I saved and eventually got my LLC, I became the CEO, Social Media Personnel, Marketing Representative, Accountant, and all of the above to keep my business afloat. I still struggle and have questions but I’m resilient and growing. Under GOD’s grace I will continue to succeed.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One major lesson I’ve had to unlearn quickly was not having a budget and not being able to stick to it. Capital is hard to come by and never comes when you truly need it. I saved and saved and saved and when I hit my goal for money, I spent and spent and spent. Now I was buying things that I needed for my business but I was not taking to time to really get in detail with the effectiveness of the products or longevity. I learned quickly that if I want longevity with my business, I need longevity with everything I put into it. Now I budget! If I cant “afford” I save and pray about it and go from there.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Dar2Sparkle
• Instagram: dar2sparklebeaute
• Facebook: Dar2Sparkle Beaute
• Youtube: Dar2Sparkle

Image Credits
Photo credits: Darian Williams, Alexandria Peterson (www.alexandriapeterson.com)