Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kayla Strickland . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kayla, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today 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?

I’ve been doing makeup professionally for about 10 years now. Directly after I graduated high school in 2007 I went to a community college in obtained an associates degree in early childhood education. I quickly learned that working with children was not my calling so I told my parents that I wanted to go to cosmetology school and with their support I did enroll.. after I completed cosmetology school I then went on to work at Walt Disney World doing hair and make up. I quickly learned that Mickey does not pay enough money so life brought me back to Fayetteville North Carolina. From there, I begin to build my name in my hometown for being a phenomenal Hairstylist and make up artist with customer service being my top priority if I could do anything different, then it would be not to compare myself to other local artists that are in the same profession is me. While I do think it’s great to take inspiration from people that obviously inspire you it’s really important not to compare your successes with bears, or anything of the sort, because I really do feel like comparisons can be the thief of Joy.

Kayla, 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?

I completed cosmetology school in 2012. However, while I was in cosmetology school, I quickly learned that while I do love hair that is not what I wanted to do solely for the rest of my life. After cosmetology school, I did the Disney college program and I went and I was a magical Vacation Planner meaning I sold tickets at Walt Disney World at the TTC. Still feeling unfulfilled I was led to apply for a professional internship at Walt Disney World. I initially started doing hair and make up at the BBB. (Bibbidi bobbidi boutique) and then started working directly in the cosmetology department in Magic Kingdom. While the experience was very magical, Mickey did not pay enough money so life led me back home to Fayetteville North Carolina. In 2016 I hit the ground, running with wanting to work for myself. I started taking clients I would find myself giving out a lot of discounts just to make sure my clientele would stay regular and flow well. In 2017 my mother and I launched a cosmetic line and it was so successful. It began to feel overwhelming and unfortunately when I become overwhelmed I just completely shut down. In 2018 I met my husband we fell in love + got married, so I decided to take a break from make up and hair to focus on building my family. March 2022 I was fired from Lincare Holdings (dme supply company) for honestly missing work because I was a mom to small children. I was so distraught but when I came home and told my husband, he told me that he was so happy that I got fired because now I could focus solely on doing make up. Don’t get me wrong, I had still been doing make up for my loyal clients, but I was not accepting any new clients. March 2022. I picked up my brushes and I am honestly constantly so mad at myself that I ever put them down. While running a small business can definitely be tough. It is so rewarding. Now that I am my own boss I don’t have to miss important doctors appointments for my children. I can go to school programs, I can take vacation whenever I want, and it does help a lot with my work life balance. I want other people like me no matter their age to know that your dreams are attainable and your wildest dream,,Whatever it is, can come true. Back in 2012 my cosmetology instructor. Romonica Leach Jones would tell me the same thing and I used to think she was nuts but I am living proof + testimony that with a little bit of faith trust and pixie dust. Your dreams can come true.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Social media has definitely played a large part in the way I am able to build my clientele. My biggest goal is to get someone in my chair. Once I get them in my chair, my knowledge for make up application as well as customer service, I believe can solidify a long lasting relationship. While some clients will only get their make up done maybe once in a lifetime there are some clients who need to get their make up done more frequently, especially content creators. Also word of mouth is so important when it comes to building a business. Ashley may never come to me to get her make up done just because she may not live that type of lifestyle but Ashley has the power to tell people whether or not, she had a positive experience with me. So it is my goal to cater to my client in to make them feel at home all while providing an element of luxury.

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

Everyone is always screaming that social media will play a big part in growing your business. While that is definitely true. There are some not so great parts of social media. I recently went viral on TikTok, and a particular video of mine has nearly 5,000,000 views. Some people absolutely loved and adored the make up job I did, given the circumstances but their were quite a few people who expressed to me how I did an awful job, and how they feel that I am a terrible make up artist. I just had to take a few deep breaths and shed a few tears (people seem to forget that constant creators are not robots they are humans and have feelings too ) Don’t get me wrong it took me a few days to get over it, but I just have to understand that I may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m definitely someone shot of whiskey. If someone does not like my make up style, I can no longer burden myself with trying to change the way in which I do make up to attract them. It is my goal to cater to a particular clientele. I may not be the flashiest make up artist and my eyeliner may not always be the straightest, the most precise, or the neatest, but I do have clients that will drive an hour or two just come be serviced by me . I have booked weddings in other states and last month I actually booked my first wedding that is in another country. As an artist, I do not believe I will ever stop learning. I believe that I can learn something from every make up artist even someone who just picked up a brush yesterday, but I also believe that I cannot drive myself crazy trying to fit into so many different boxes. Initially, when I went viral, I wanted to just completely stop posting on TikTok Instagram, YouTube you name it but it never crossed my mind to put down my make up brushes because I know that this is what I was called to do. I know that this is what I’m good at and I know that it’s only up from here and I owe it to my inner child as well as my children to fulfill my wildest dreams so they can see. Wow, mommy really did this. My goal is to build an empire and a legacy to leave to my children.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/yourfavoritemua?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourfavoritemuaNC?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@yourfavoritemakeupartist
• Other: Link of viral video https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRc7RDKo/

Image Credits
Unfortunately, I took all of these photos 😂😂