We were lucky to catch up with Dominique Ervins recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Dominique thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

To be successful I think it takes hard work, dedication, and a strong passion for what you are doing. With that being said, I think it’s important to keep in mind what your goals are for your business. Having short term and long term goals in your business give you a reason to keep going, as there are going to be plenty of times where business may not necessarily be fun. Even if what you are doing is your passion. Sometimes not even lucrative. However, when you have a “Why?” behind what you doing it gives you the push to keep going and reach some of those goals. Which will bring about the success. It’s also important that once you reach certain goals you set new ones to be able to maintain or surpass the success you have reached.

Dominique, 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?

After having a child young, I developed adult acne. I initially got into makeup by trying to cover up my acne scars. So after so long of covering them with makeup I wanted to learn how to solve the root issue. At 19, I decided to enroll in school to be an esthetician where I learned not only about makeup but skincare as well, which I learned a great deal about. Fast forward to today I heavily incorporate skincare practices in my professional makeup services. I’m also able to provide many tips and answer any skin care questions that my clients may have.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

My most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been to be social. When running a business, specifically one that is clientele based it’s very important to talk to people. Word of mouth is everything! You want to be professional, yet some what personal. Provide a nice environment where your clients feel like you are engaged and are comfortable and confident enough to send others your way. You don’t want to make anybody feel like they don’t matter or that they are just another dollar to you. Network with your clients. Both in person and on social media. Find out what events are going on in your area and market based off of those events. Ask if or what service(s) they (your clients) may provide, possibly being able to exchange services or clientele with one another. In public when talking to strangers if the opportunity arises I tell them what I do and offer them a business card or one of my social media names for them to see my work. Introduce people to yourself and your business as much as you can. Literally be social!

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

stay engaged with a good number of my clients through my social media platforms. I also send out electronic flyers via text or email for different events I’m throwing or upcoming classes I’m having. Periodically, I do raffles or other little fun contests that lets me see what current clients of mind are engaged and also who my potential clients may be. At the end of the service I offer a “touch up kit” that has a business card with my business number and social media handle. I make sure my clients are aware that it is perfectly fine for them to reach out to me with any questions or concerns they may have. There are times I may reach out to them to see if they have taken any pictures of the work that I have done for them and if they’d be comfortable sharing them with me. During a makeup session or class I also take my own pictures of the service that I have provided. However, a rule I set for my business is to never post a picture on the internet without my clients’ permission. So with me having to reach out to get that approval, it also helps to keep a dialog going between and them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://glamtimenique.as.me/
• Instagram: Ms.nique
• Facebook: Ms’ Nique Lauren