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

Jasmine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?

If I had to start over today, knowing everything I know now, I’d definitely skip the criminal justice degree and dive straight into studying business management. Don’t get me wrong—I don’t regret how my business started. The hustle, the trial and error, the way I figured things out on my own—that built me. But if I had the chance to tighten things up from the jump, I’d want to understand the backend of business way earlier.

I used to think being a great makeup artist was enough, but the truth is, running a successful business takes way more than talent. I would’ve focused sooner on systems, branding, marketing, and learning how to scale without burning out.

But every misstep taught me something. So even though I’d take a different academic route, I’d still bet on the same version of me—just a little more business-savvy from the start.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hey! I’m a makeup artist who built my brand from the ground up, fueled by passion, grit, and a love for helping people feel like the best version of themselves. My journey in beauty actually started with hair—I took cosmetology in high school, got my license, and thought that would be my focus. But after high school, I went to college and pursued a degree in criminal justice, stepping away from beauty for a bit.

It wasn’t until 2018, after college, that I truly found my love for makeup. It started as something personal—just me creating looks on myself and posting content on Instagram every day. I didn’t plan for it to turn into a business; I was just doing what I loved. But the more I shared, the more people took notice. I booked my very first client in May 2019, and by October of that same year, I was doing my first wedding. That moment shifted everything—I knew this was what I was meant to do.

Now, I provide luxury makeup services for weddings, events, photoshoots, and branding sessions. My style enhances natural beauty with a flawless finish that lasts all day, and I’m known for creating a calm, uplifting atmosphere for my clients. I don’t just apply makeup—I help people feel confident and ready for whatever moment they’re stepping into.

What sets me apart? I started with zero blueprint, no big team, and no formal makeup school—just raw talent, consistency, and vision. I combine artistry with professionalism, and I pour heart into every client experience.

I’m proud of the brand I’ve built and the journey it took to get here. My work is personal, elevated, and all about empowering people through beauty.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

Yes, my side hustle as a makeup artist started in 2019 and has grown into a true passion project—one that I now balance alongside my full-time job. It all began with me doing makeup looks on myself and posting them on Instagram every single day. I wasn’t trying to build a business at first—it was just something I loved doing.

In May 2019, I took my very first client, and by October that year, I booked my first wedding. That was a huge milestone for me and really opened the door to more opportunities. Since then, I’ve grown my clientele through word of mouth and social media, working weddings, special events, and photoshoots.

Even though I still work a full-time job, makeup has become a major part of my life. Every client, every transformation, every event reminds me why I started. I’m proud of the growth and excited to keep building on it

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Absolutely—Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill had a huge impact on how I think about entrepreneurship and mindset. That book really shifted the way I view success, discipline, and the power of belief. It taught me that having a clear vision, backed by consistent action and unwavering faith in yourself, is the foundation of any business or goal.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was the idea of “definiteness of purpose”—knowing exactly what you want and going after it with intention. That’s how I approached building my makeup brand while still working a full-time job. It helped me stay focused, even when things felt overwhelming or slow.

That book didn’t just give me motivation—it gave me a blueprint for how to turn passion into purpose and purpose into progress.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/themakeupmedusa?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=31e3a97f-82e3-4e4f-b55f-1cc21f67a010
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themakeupmedusa?igsh=ZWU5aWdmNmNvemVo

Image Credits

Elena Tofan
Trene Forbes
Mikael Selassi