We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elyse Tanner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Elyse , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you 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?
When I first started working in the beauty industry, it was really tough. But, was very blessed with finding a job right out of cosmetology school. My boss is fabulous and an amazing hairdresser/blonde specialist. She has taught me everything i know, she’s also the best role model. I strive to be where she is one day. For the first 2-3 years I was living from appointment to appointment. Barely able to pay booth rent some weeks. But I knew this was my passion and if I could stay dedicated, I would become a successful hairdresser and makeup artist. I’ve been in this industry for 7 years now and the clientele I’ve built have become my family. If it wasn’t for them l wouldn’t be where I am today. I am constantly educating myself on the new trends and products being used. I am proud to say I can support myself while also getting to make my own schedule. I wake up everyday excited for work and loving my job. I thank God everyday for leading me down this path and blessing me with all that he has.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hi, my name is Elyse Tanner and I’m from a very small town in Texas called Wharton. I’ve always been a girly girl and loved anything that had to do with beauty. My mom is a girly girl as well, she never leaves the house without lip gloss and earrings on. So I think that’s where I got it from. Looking back I’ve always done my friends hair and makeup for prom, parties or even just to take pictures. I would sit at my vanity in my room and just practice new makeup looks for hours. When it was time for me to graduate from high school, I knew I wanted to be a hairstylist and makeup artist. At the salon I work at now I offer color corrections, any chemical service, haircuts, extensions, Brazilian blowouts, hair styling, makeup application, makeup classes, facials and spray tans. The best advice I would give somebody in the beauty industry is stay tough, if you mess up, fix it and learn from it! You will be somebody’s perfect hairdresser, just keep doing your best every single day.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Seeing my clients happy. There is no better feeling that knowing you made somebody feel beautiful.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Stay true to who you are. Don’t post something because you think everybody else will like it, post it because you like it. I try to post things that show my personality and who I am through the pictures I post. Have fun with it and be yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/lysieekaay
- Instagram: @lysieekaay
- Facebook: Elyse Tanner
- Twitter: @lysieekaay
Image Credits
Photographer Ashley Smith at AMB Photography