We were lucky to catch up with Brianna Knight recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brianna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Haus of III. VI. was my place of escape while briefly working for the government in 2017. I worked for the Department of Treasury and knew that my time there would be temporary as my creativity and artistic style did not compliment the work atmosphere. During the work week, I would find myself daydreaming of creating the perfect workplace. I aspired to create a place that was inviting, stimulating to all five senses and was home to beauty and fashion enthusiasts. Haus of III. VI. was a place that I visited in my dreams on a nightly basis for months. Each night was a new adventure – dreaming of how I would decorate the boutique, the clientele that would frequent, and the multiple cities the boutiques would be found in. I knew that Haus of III. VI. would be an extension of III. VI. Artistry, my beauty brand, but at the time, did not realize that it would be the home of III, VI. Artistry or the Lingerie and Loungewear line that I wanted to create.

At times, my dreams were out of sequence and I would confuse my dream state with reality. I began recording my dreams and writing my visions. I was walking in my purpose of becoming a business owner without knowing that this was a key step in manifesting my goals. I understood that my dreamworld would soon be my reality and this was the start to a new venture that would materialize into an Atlanta staple.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

Juggling between a high call volume, meetings, trainings, analyzing issues and yielding results that did not always appease taxpayers and/or management while working for the Department of Treasury, I would utilize each break and lunch frequenting my favorite place. Haus of III. VI. was the answer. I knew that if I could dedicate eight hours to another entity, I could surely spend that amount of time focusing on planning the great exodus. I needed to use my resources to build everything that I had been dreaming of for months. I would take a fraction of my pay and dedicate it to the materials needed for my boutique. I was privy to information that would assist me in legitimately forming a business and if I had questions, I knew the right individuals to ask. Working for the Department of Treasury was key in making my dream possible. For three years, I had been exposed to jargon, tax law, tax preparation, and everything needed to make this the success that I had dreamt it would be.

The challenge was knowing when to leave, how to leave, and ignoring the fear and self-doubt that was designed to keep me stagnant. I had experienced moments while at work that literally drove me to walk out without notice. A few of my managers, who knew of my talents, gave me the opportunity to decorate for special events which truly helped the anxiety that I faced during the busy tax season. I was granted the opportunity to work with groups who created ways of encouraging team building and overall morale of the site. So, I did have moments to create, but not in the way that truly fulfilled me.

I battled with the idea that if I left, I may not be able to manage. I had family and friends that told me that working for the government was a stable and structured environment and walking away would be a huge mistake. I listened to countless taxpayers on the phone lines tell me how they had lost their jobs, were drowning in debt, and had very little income. The motivation came from the CPA’s that called in on behalf of their millionaire client’s account. I too wanted the option to have millions but at what expense? I had to leave a place that offered the finances and stability to enter into the unknown. I had no clue of how well off I would be or how structured my life would be after this leap of faith. However, I did know that I had the potential to make it far in life and if I wanted to make millions, I would!

I began servicing Karen Greer and Sharon Reed of channel CBS 46 Atlanta News right before my grandmother’s passing. I took on New York Fashion Week in 2018, where I provided makeup for countless international designers and models which led to the debut of my lash line. In 2019, I attended a Rolling Out Magazine event, where I sat and picked the brains of Roland S. Martin, Tamika D. Mallory, and countless others. To wrap up the year of 2019, I provided makeup for attendees of the 2019 Miss Universe Pageant.

In 2020, I opened my Makeup Studio, Haus of III. VI. and since then have traveled to over 16 states to provide makeup services, for photo shoots, weddings, and more. I turned my dream into a reality and used my government job as motivation to push forward as a young, black entrepreneur.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

For those on the outside looking in, they would characterize me as being diligent, dedicated, risky, resilient and/or determined yet I would add on to the list by saying confident. I know who and what I am, and because of that, I can accomplish any goal or crush any obstacle. I will bet on myself and my vision a million times over. I have always been told by my loved ones that there was something special about me. My energy is alluring and I can identify beauty in everything. I have transmuted negative energy and horrible traumas and have rewritten the narrative. That has been a source of my motivation, however creativity is my main source.

I have the power to create any vision that comes to mind, whether in dream state or reality. I believe in myself and have when no one else did. My confidence led my footsteps and I now own III. VI. Artistry and entities under it. Haus of III. VI. is a statement and a household name.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://briannaknight.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iii.vi.artistry/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iii.vi.artistry