We recently connected with Jillyn Smith and have shared our conversation below.

Jillyn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?

Nearly four years ago I continued my education in the beauty industry and became an esthetician. During the final days of graduation, I started my search for a commercial lease. While searching, I had to become aware of city restrictions, which made it more difficult to find a commercial space. Financially, I was restricted. I didn’t have funding, but I did have $2k from a school loan with which I used to start my business. It was discouraging at times; however, I pushed through and found a cute, small studio suite. I fell in love with it and signed the lease! I opened up for business on Jan 1, 2019.

At this point I had no income since I had barely graduated beauty school and no clientele. This stressed me out. But I knew my dreams had to come true, and if I just keep moving forward I’d get there.

After a few weeks being open I had no calls, no bookings, and immediately thought I made the biggest mistake. But then I had a huge turn around. My marketing was getting seen and business was getting the exposure it needed to thrive. Within one week my business boomed! Non stop calls and bookings. I went from 0 clients to 8 plus clients daily and it kept growing. My new clients were all so supportive, they shared their experiences and helped with word of mouth to really push my business to the next level. My business was thriving until the pandemic hit a year later—causing major financial losses. Having to close down for a month as a new start up business was very damaging since I had started with nothing and worked so hard to build my business. I had to figure out a new strategy and a new way of doing business. It was a struggle but I managed.

The growth I wanted happened, and I recently out grew my 300sq ft studio to 1000 sq ft commercial space! I was ecstatic to finally reach my goals of being a solo esthetician and woman of color. I felt successful.

My expanded growth for 2023 will be to hire estheticians and give them opportunity to succeed and grow into their own Kiss N Made Up studio.

Marketing is definitely my key to success. Having amazing clients truly makes my dreams a reality!

Jillyn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Bringing out the inner beauty

At Kiss N Made Up we provide first class
esthetics services by empowering women by goin skin deep for women of all ages.
With over a decade of experience we treat every client with kindness, care and compassion for all your beauty needs as we should being awarded “ 2022, 2021 and 2020 BEST OF SALT LAKE CITY BEAUTY SALONS” and Business Hall of Fame.

We believe by changing the beauty standards starts with falling in love with you—is our key to confidence.

With over a decade of experience as a makeup artist, esthetician, permanent makeup artist and founder of KNMU, Jillyn’s passion to empower women of all ages is the gift of beauty.

Because of you we’ve been able to empower and build your key to confidence.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Several years ago, my business plan originated to become a makeup artist. I had opened a boutique offering makeup and hair extensions and a mobile beauty on the go service. Like all new startups, it takes time to build clientele and a brand. New to being an entrepreneur and single mom, finances were hard, and I had to make some career changes and revert to the corporate world as a finance manager. The long hours and stresses of the finance industry eventually lead me back into my passion for becoming a business owner and esthetician. I returned to beauty school and got my license and started my beauty spa, that is now an award-winning spa.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

As a licensed esthetician, having the knowledge to share and providing ageless results, leaving clients with hourglass glowing skin, fluffy lashes or brow transformations. Support from amazing repeat clients who loved their treatments by sharing word of mouth.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kissnmadeup.com
• Instagram: Knmubeauty
• Facebook: Kiss N Made Up Esthetics
• Youtube: Kissnmadeup
• Yelp: Kiss N Made Up Esthetics
• Other: TikTok: kissnmadeup