We were lucky to catch up with Da’Shanae Hardy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Da’Shanae, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

The biggest risk I have taken would be when I left my job back in January of 2020 to become a Full-Time Makeup Artist.

I moved into my first apartment in December of 2019 with my son. I left my job the next month and Covid shortly changed everyone’s lives forever in March, 2020. All of the salons had to comply and close until quarantine lifted. And even with quarantine lifting, the question was, “Would anyone need makeup anymore?”

Yes. That was definitely a life changing risk that showed me, faith over fear. I walked out on faith and God provided.

Da’Shanae, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a Professional/Celebrity Makeup Artist in the Charlotte, NC area.

I have been servicing clients for 6, going on 7 years. I absolutely enjoy enhancing the natural beauty women have for whatever occasion they are booking me for. (Weddings are my favorite!)

I also teach women how to do their own makeup and I teach upcoming artist how to perfect their craft and grow their business as a professional Makeup Artist.

When showcasing my work on social media, I like to shed light on real life events that are happening throughout the world. It’s important to me that if people are “following” me, that I am leading them somewhere.

Makeup is cool, but I don’t ever want myself or clients or to lose sight of reality.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Eliminating the thought process of seeing your peers as “competition” is most helpful in succeeding in the makeup industry. I think that’s also something that helps in your everyday life.

Eliminate the jealousy, envy, and comparison. Root for the girls in their win in an season, who may be booked and busy, who may be growing their following/clientele at a faster rate. Cheer them on! They need you whether they acknowledge it or not.

We all have our season and our time when we shine.

The beauty industry is a billion dollar industry. There are enough clients for us all, even if they decide they want to try out someone new.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

If I could go back, I would definitely choose the same profession because God placed me here. I enjoy servicing other women and building for the timeframe they are in my chair. It’s truly an honor. The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad said 75% of God’s work is with the woman, so to know that God placed me in a field that is filled with women, is truly a blessing.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.linktr.ee/Letmypeoplefree
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/Letmypeoplefree
• Facebook: Www.Facebook.com/Letmypeoplefree

Image Credits
Devin McCallister, Gavin Boulware, Candice Williams