We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erica King. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erica below.

Hi Erica, thanks for joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Well, I have always been self-driven and I like the freedom that comes with not having to clock in to a regular nine to five job. Certainly ownership and being a business owner does require discipline and I am solely responsible for the bottom line. I realized that building a business and investing in myself is not only rewarding, but exciting and self satisfying. There are times when I’m met with conflicts, obstacles, or discouragement that I do think about what it would be like to have a regular job. Then I remember my passion and how happy I am currently doing what I love and it reminds me of why I started my own business in the first place. I wanted to explore more opportunities. I wanted to have the freedom to create and market myself. I needed to feel fulfilled in following my purpose. I also wanted to prove to myself that business ownership can be done legitimately, with integrity, and without compromise. I can remember clearly at my last job sitting at my desk checking my personal email, feeling terrible about having to decline opportunities because my regular job consumed so much of my time. It was depressing and my work environment was set up for me to feel like it was just a job. There was no room for growth and I knew that something had to change. I knew in my heart that if I had more time during the day to devote towards my passions I could accept more opportunities, get paid for it, network, and start my own business. Leaving my regular job would give me more options and allow me to work with people who were ambitious like me. That’s exactly what I did. I left. Now I get to make my own hours and I have a community that supports my vision. Sometimes my hours are longer and sometimes they are shorter, but I do appreciate the freedom to create my own schedule. Now, everyday there is a new experience. I am less stressed and I am happy. It’s all about taking a risk. I left my comfort zone and made the decision to believe in myself. It’s been the best decision I could have ever made!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a person of many layers. I love to sing, dance, model, and I am a makeup artist. Singing was something that came natural for me at a very early age but like any gift practice is a necessity. As a result I have been blessed to participate on several platforms and on albums and have enjoyed each one. Makeup is something that I started from curiosity. Watching YouTube tutorials, I enjoyed it so much that I worked diligently to perfect my skills through certification and several classes. Nationally and internationally. Professionally I have worked for Christian Dior, Essence, New York Fashion Week and I continue to utilize my skill through freelance, private lessons, and classes. Leaving Dior was a difficult decision but becoming an entrepreneurial makeup artist has been a blessing and very rewarding. Modeling started with an audition for ‘Torrid’. As a finalist, I appeared on their show. Although I didn’t win the competition, it opened the door for so many great opportunities that allowed me to be the influencing face of several companies. The benefits of being a makeup artist is that while on set I completed my own makeup as well as others. I was my own makeup artist at times while modeling. Eventually I developed my own brand. Creating a unique and exclusive look for women and making them feel beautiful is so fulfilling. I am proud of the knowledge I have obtained through my experiences and the wonderful women I have encountered crossing many cultural lines and nationalities. I am proud to say that by taking the risk and believing in myself has exceeded my expectations. I am excited and motivated more than ever to see what the future has in store.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

As a business owner, the biggest lesson I had to unlearn was taking a risk while still being afraid. There are so many things that can happen. I was consumed with negative thoughts and the fear of failure. What if it doesn’t work out? What if I look stupid? What If don’t know what I’m doing? The thoughts went on and on until, for a very long time, I just stood still. Not doing anything. I was finally fed up. Not being happy at my regular job and feeling like I had a greater purpose, I just told myself ” forget it all and do it afraid if you have to Erica, but you can’t just not do anything lol! ” It’s better to try than to sit on the sidelines. Eventually focusing on what needed to be done for my business and research helped decrease my fears a little. The more I shifted my focus on my craft, building strategies, and talking with mentors eliminated my fears.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I first started , I sought the advice of other business owners hoping to gain some direction. I was often given advice that didn’t line up with my vision or fit what was best for me. It seemed with every meeting, I felt like I was getting nowhere. I was discouraged and felt like I was failing. I remembered how unhappy I was at my regular job and I remembered my original plan and why I decided to take this risk. That kept me going. Anyone who steps out on faith knows that failures will come but the mark of resilience is in overcoming those failures and developing new strategies for success.

Contact Info:

• Website: WWW.MAGICMAKEUPONLINE.COM
• Instagram: @THEERICAKING
• Facebook: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ERICAKINGWORLDWIDE
• Twitter: @THEERICAKING

Image Credits
Kieone Young Otis Claybourne