We were lucky to catch up with Ari Monet recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ari, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
Deciding to take the risk of uprooting and moving to Houston has been the biggest life altering decision I have made thus far. Originally, I am a Boston , Ma native . I was born in raised in the inner city and quite frankly never seen myself moving out of state. I was very complacent where I was but was actively building a name for myself there with my first business venture, which was an e-commerce boutique. What motivated me to take the leap of faith and move to Houston was the representation. I had a close friend whom decided to move to Houston and once I came to visit I fell in love with the culture of the city. Though my risk was impulsive it was still well planned and strategic. My biggest take away from this experience is to take calculated risk and do it scared. There’s never any losses, just lessons.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hello, my name is Ari Monet. I am a self-taught makeup artist from Boston, MA, and I currently reside in Houston, TX.
I launched The Ari Aesthetic in April 2022. My first client was my childhood friend, who resides in Houston. She booked her makeup appointment for a fitness photoshoot she was modeling for. After posting my work on her social media, The Ari Aesthetic began to gain notoriety and traction, and has steadily increased since. I have had so many amazing opportunities since launching including being featured in Canvas!
I specialize in soft glam makeup application which is centered around enhancing a woman’s natural, feminine features. I am known for providing a lightweight, full coverage face with a focus on flawless even skin and sculpted eyebrows. I am most proud of being able to create a space where my clients feel like their needs are being met. We always have a small consultation where we discuss their makeup preferences as well as prepping the skin for the application which I feel sets me apart.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
With any journey, there will always be ebbs and flows. My journey as a makeup artist has not been smooth, but most definitely rewarding. Some of the biggest challenges I’ve faced thus far are curating a new business in a new city, niching down my artistry to capture my target market, learning how to stand out in an overly saturated market, and converting my passion into profit. My extensive background in the fashion industry, which includes studying fashion merchandising in undergrad, working as a stylist for Nordstrom, and becoming a boutique owner at 21, prepared me for the fluctuations in business. I learned how to understand my target market’s needs, and the art of pivoting from one business strategy to the next. Another lesson I have learned is adjusting to a new demographic, and understanding in artistry that is ever-changing. It is difficult, but it is one of the most fulfilling experiences. I have learned to approach every obstacle as a learning opportunity. For the most part, Houston has embraced me with open arms, and has shown me an immense amount of love and support, and for that, I am grateful and cannot wait to see my business grow.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I think what helped me build my reputation within my market is always prioritizing the overall experience from beginning to end. You’d be surprised with how many reviews I get that not only shout out my work but most importantly my customer service..
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theariaesthetic.as.me/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/theari_aesthetic?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theariaesthetic