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

Keshia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

I started taking an interest in makeup in my mid 20s as a way to build confidence. 2016 was the year of beauty gurus, and I turned to YouTube to learn makeup from Jeffree Star, CosmoByHaley, Jaclyn Hill, and MannyMUA. I started to practice on my friends and they encoureged me to do weddings. Of course, I was terrified. That’s a big deal and to be in charge of not only their face, but making sure they’re comfortable was a daunting task. I decided to take the chance in October 2021 with a friends cousin and it’s been success ever since. In 2022, I applied for the BALSA grant to kickstart my business. I applied not thinking anything of it and a week later I received the email that I was one of the 2022 recipients. Through the balsa foundation, I was able to obtain my LLC and participate in business classes to learn the ins and outs of how to become a business owner. I film content on social media and through word-of-mouth, I have built a pretty large clientele. I never thought that a hobby to build my confidence would turn into something beyond my wildest dreams. Not only am I making other women feel confident within themselves, through the power of make up , but also, I am getting the word out that you don’t have to break the bank to learn how the first steps in makeup application. Makeup can be a very overwheleming concept, but I want to make it simple.

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?

My name is Keshia Dickson and I am the owner of Keshia Denise Artistry, LLC. I am a self-taught freelance makeup artist who wants to show girlies in their thirties that makeup doesn’t have to be complicated. I want my clients to have a safe space to learn and feel confident. I got into makeup in 2016, and never looked back. This hobby became a passion of mine and I am proud to say that I love what I do. I see it as an energy exchange and I adapt based on my client’s needs. If they want me to their hype girl, I can come with it. If they want me to be a beacon of calm, I will bring that peace. Every client I have is an energy exhange, and I give full honesty with my craft, but also letting them know to speak up with how they want their look. I always say, “this is YOUR face. I want you to speak up”. Makeup can be very empowering and I want to continue make that a driving force for my business.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn perfection. Good things take time and patience.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I filmed videos on simple makeup applications and transition videos. A big series on my Instagram is “Go-To, How-To” where I show how to use my go to products.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Makeupbykeshiad
• Facebook: Keshia Dickson