Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ashlyn Baker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ashlyn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I could tell from an early age I loved makeup, fashion and all things beauty. I have a vivid memory of myself in the 6th grade wearing my mother’s black eyeliner, going to school and the kids making fun of me for wearing makeup. It didn’t bother me being that this was something I really liked and made me feel different, which I found confidence in. About a year or so later, I then began to collect Maybelline’s Baby lips chap sticks. My collection was HUGE! From then on I knew I had a passion for beauty and makeup. I would wear the occasional makeup until I hit Highschool. This is when I really dove into my passion. I began doing research and watching videos of MUA’s I looked up to. My last few months of Highschool my mother suggested I sign up for a course,”2020 catch lite program”. I participated in an eight-week course where they gave use classes on how to build and maintain a successful business. At the end of this course I was awarded $2,000 to start my business. Thus, Slayed By Ashlyn, LLC was born.

My fashion journey is a bit different on how this hobby came to be. My best friend would always tell me how much she loved to go to the thrift store. At this point, I have never been and honestly… had no desire to. It was then when she invited me to go with her and it completely changed my perspective. I was IN LOVE. The amount of authentic, creative and colorful pieces and jewelry I would find was ridiculous. Going to the thrift store became my newest obsession. I eventually accumulated so many things and decided to start making videos of myself, putting outfits together and posting them on my Instagram page.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Ashlyn Baker. I’m a 22 year old freelance Makeup Artist, beauty and fashion creator and college student majoring in Digital Communications and Multimedia studies. I provide high end, professional makeup services for any occasion. My services range from natural beauty enhancements to the full face glam makeovers. I do it all. With Slayed by Ashlyn, I wanted to focus on enhancing ones natural beauty instead of covering it which is the trend we mostly see now. I take pride in this. I am able to travel anywhere in the Tampa bay and surrounding areas but I am open to further travel upon discussion, anything to make my clients happy :). I really do love and appreciate all of my clients because I wouldn’t have made it here without them. Not only do I love my clients and doing makeup, within the past few years, my love for thrifting and making fashion videos has flourished. I’ve been into taking pictures for years but I have to say, making my fashion videos is way more satisfying and rewarding especially when I get great feedback. This is truly something I enjoy and would love to eventually make fashion and beauty content for small businesses and popular brands.
Overall, I would love to classify myself as a creator being that I can do so many different things. Within the next year, I want to really focus on developing my creativity and seeing where it will take me.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creator is being able to express myself in whatever way makes me happy. There’s so may things you can do with makeup and clothing and it’s just so liberating to express something from the heart and share it with others. Brightening others day has to be runner up. I can’t even begin to describe the feeling I get when I can show my client their makeup and to see their face light up. Seeing others happy is something that really makes my soul glow and I wouldn’t change that for anything in the world.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Just continue to shop with us and venture out to find smaller local businesses to support. Creativity does not have an endless supply, us artist and creators get tired and have moments where we’re uninspired too. Speaking from my personal experience, just that one appointment or one comment on a post makes a WORLD of a difference. It sparks something in us just showing that we are being supported. This pushes us to keep going especially when we feel like we want to give up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/aashlyntb
• Instagram: @aashlyntb and @slayedbyashlyn
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/slayedbyashlyn
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlynbaker0913/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7zYLmQ4m8JosZO3dahaadQ