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

Brittany, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Since I was a kid, I never knew exactly what I wanted to do, I just knew I wanted to work for myself. That was the one thing I was so determined on. Of course, the idea is less intimidating than the reality of it. Unfortunately I kept with service jobs, and I only did hair and makeup on the side. When COVID hit, an opportunity came up for me to work with a client or two in an controlled environment while the restaurant I was working at was closed. That’s what got it started for me, taking clients when I was off work, working crazy hours because I loved being in the industry. I got to work with so many people, but I wasn’t confident in myself to completely take the purge. My husband finally told me to start taking more time off, partially because childcare was no longer reliable and partially because it was very clear what I preferred to do. Taking the risk to only build my business was terrifying. What if I failed? What if I couldn’t handle it? What would happen if I bit off more than I could chew? Luckily for me, I had and still have an amazing support system, completely backs me up and I’m showing my kids that if they want something badly, it’s possible to do it and not settle for a job that they’re not enjoying.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

As a teenager, makeup was always so fun to me. I saw it as an art form, was able to play around with it and turn myself into someone totally different. I stayed up pretty late and that’s when I would practice. It got to the point others would ask me to do their makeup and hair for dances, proms, etc. Then I started helping the theatre kids with their makeup for plays.

I graduated high school with no idea fully what I was going to do. There was a cosmetology school nearby that I wouldn’t have to go into debt for, payments were super easy, and if I didn’t enjoy it, I didn’t spend years of my life down the drain. Luckily for me, I loved it. It took me longer because during school, I had two kids, so I went to school at night and wouldn’t sacrifice time with them.

I was in a toxic situation shortly after being done with school, and had to get a stable job to help provide for my kids. It was life altering unfortunately and I had to give up doing hair and makeup for awhile. Although, I still did it on the side and still constantly did my own and pushed myself.

Someone had let me know a team of hair and makeup stylists were hiring, and suggested I see if I was a good fit. I LOVED the work, it was great! Unfortunately at that time, I was working two jobs and I wasn’t staying in an environment that was personally challenging for me if I could help it. However, I didn’t want to give up the work. I did it more frequently and started trying harder to get clients for myself. I cut my hours short at the restaurant I was at so I could have more time.

Everyday I have a schedule for what time I start, what time what needs to get done, and alarms to constantly go off. I believe family is super important and managing time with work and family is top priority. So even my time with what I’m doing with my kids is planned out, family vacations I don’t work- emailing included. I get back to everyone and pick up, it may be slightly backed up, but my kids need the memories with me. They’re only this young once! My clients almost understand, especially because the time sensitive clients were taken care of before I was out of office.

I LOVE supporting other small businesses, so I have packages that include facials, waxing, lash extensions, extensions, etc, so others can get business as well. The clients pay me directly and set up a time and date, I send the payment and tip to the other party so all the client has to do is show up. If there’s anything the client needs, I’m all over it, even if that means a text at 11 pm. I am very passionate about making your experience the BEST possible. I love to keep the energy up, fix anything you need to perfect your vision, and to fully communicate expectations. Flower girls get to keep the brushes we use on them, brides get bags with touch up kits and little gifts in it, and we strive to make wedding days one to remember.

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

I was and am always excited to try anything and everything in the industry. I take continuing education classes to provide the best experience and best work to my clients, and if they asked for something that I haven’t done or posted, I get it done the next day. Any emails, DMs or texts I get, I answer back right when I see them. I never talk bad about others in the industry, and if I can’t make an event, I send trusted vendors their way. My client is my number one priority. Yes I run a business, but if I can figure out how to keep a client and to make it work for both of us if conflicts come up, I will do so.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media was one of my weaknesses. I joined facebook groups, watched for people who needed my services or others who needed additional hands for services. I worked styled shoots, met photographers and other vendors. I had models come and hashtagged a bunch on my pictures. Content is SO important. I posted my work everywhere.

Contact Info:

• Website: beautifiedbybritt.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/beautifiedbybrittaz?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Image Credits
@randiraephotography @bybrittaz @zzzaphotography