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

Alright, Chelsea thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Yes! Today, I’m incredibly grateful to say that I make a full-time living doing what I love—helping brides and clients feel beautiful and confident. However,  it definitely wasn’t like that from day one. My journey started nearly ten years ago when I became a sales rep for Younique, a direct sales makeup brand. At the time, I loved makeup but hadn’t considered it as a career. That all changed when I applied makeup on a friend for fun—who just so happened to be a bride-to-be. She loved her look and asked me to do her makeup for her wedding. I eagerly said yes, and after posting her bridal makeup photos, other brides began reaching out. Before I knew it, I was booking weddings regularly while still working full-time in Human Resources. I loved my HR career and had planned to retire there, but makeup quickly became my passion. My weekdays and weekends were completely consumed by work, and I felt stretched thin. On top of that, I had a strong desire to grow my family, and I knew I couldn’t keep up with everything. That’s when I started praying for clarity. I wanted to pursue makeup professionally but needed a plan. The next big step was enrolling in esthetics school, which I did while balancing weddings, work, and pregnancy—I even took my state boards while nine months pregnant! Shortly after, the pandemic hit, which temporarily slowed things down. But in hindsight, that time allowed me to focus on my growing family. When weddings picked back up, I knew that if I wanted to expand, I couldn’t do it alone. That’s when I started building a team. In 2021, I contracted my first stylist, followed by another shortly after. That year, we serviced 36 weddings. Fast forward to today, my team has grown to nine amazingly talented women, and we wrapped up over 100 weddings last year! Seeing this business flourish has been an incredible journey, and I couldn’t have done it without faith, perseverance, and an amazing team. Could I have sped up the process? Maybe. But looking back, every step—even the challenges—taught me something valuable. If I could give advice to my past self, it would be to trust the process, invest in education sooner, and not be afraid to take risks. The leap of faith was scary, but it led me to where I am today—living my dream and making a full-time career out of my passion.

Chelsea , 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 the owner and lead artist at Glam Squad By Chelsea, LLC. As a licenced edthticsn and professional master makeup artist with 10 years of experience in the cosmetic and wedding industry, my passion has always been helping women feel confident and beautiful – inside and out.

In 2021, I took my vision to the next level by building a team of talented hair and makeup artists—an incredible group of women who share a love for Jesus and all things beauty. Looking back, I’m so proud of the girl who took a leap of faith all those years ago. This journey has been filled with growth, challenges, and blessings, and I encourage anyone with a dream to pursue it wholeheartedly. You only get one life, and with faith and prayer, you can truly accomplish anything.

They say, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” While that statement is true, running a business comes with great responsibility. Beyond the artistry, I handle contracts, invoices, emails, and scheduling for both clients and my team. Social media is also a key part of our success, so I dedicate time to creating content and promoting our work across Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms.

I come from a small town with only four stoplights, where I was raised to always be my authentic self. That’s exactly what I bring to my clients—a personable, professional experience where they feel like family. Our goal isn’t just to provide exceptional beauty services but to build lasting relationships with each person we have the honor of working with.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is not only being able to express myself through my craft but also helping women feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. I can’t count how many times I’ve handed a bride the mirror after completing her makeup, only to see her face light up with tears of joy, confidence, and a smile that could radiate across the room. Often, I hear, “I’ve never felt this beautiful.”

It’s not just the weddings that are rewarding, though. I’ve had the honor of working with clients who have experienced significant challenges, like those who’ve lost their hair due to chemotherapy. Being able to create eyebrows, eyelashes, and style their wigs to help them feel like themselves again is incredibly fulfilling.

Knowing that I’ve played a small part in someone’s journey toward regaining their confidence makes the work I do all the more beautiful and meaningful.

Another rewarding aspect is the personal growth I’ve experienced along the way. This journey has not only helped me tap into my creative potential but also taught me resilience, business skills, and the importance of faith. Every challenge and success has shaped who I am today, and being able to share that with my team and clients makes the journey even more meaningful

Ultimately, it’s the opportunity to create a lasting impact, whether through artistry or relationships, that makes being a creative so incredibly fulfilling for me.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

In today’s society, social media plays a huge role in helping artists like myself grow and gain visibility. A simple like, share, or tag can make a world of difference in reaching new audiences and connecting with potential clients. These platforms provide an invaluable opportunity to showcase our work, share our stories, and build a community of supporters. Social media has leveled the playing field, allowing creatives to gain exposure that would have been much harder to achieve in the past. For me, it’s been a powerful tool for both marketing my business and connecting with people who appreciate the work we do.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.glamsquadbychelsea.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glamsquad_bychelsea?igsh=MmpiYjg5MXpqNmJ0&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glamsquadmakeupbychelsea?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits

@images by Heidi
@palmettoportraitsphotography
@templedeannaphotography
@alyssaannphotography
@ashlynjordanphotography
@sltbphotography