We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Makenzie Hippard. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Makenzie below.
Makenzie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
In 2020, I had a class in my cosmetology program that focused on development of businesses, names and other items. We had to make a mock business website, name and moto to present it as if it were real. When trying to find names for my assignment, I started to think of different names for my then hair business. I went around with your simple and basic “Makenzie Beauty” “Makenzie Hair” and more. I wanted to be more creative and memorable. At 18 years old, RavenZie Beauty was born but it was not real yet. After my presentation, I started building my business right out of school. Sadly, COVID-19 gave me other plans in life. I dissolved my original hair business only a year later. Those struggles pushed me to work at target, then for a corporation which put my business name on hold. I still kept onto that branding all that time though in hopes my dreams would come true. In April of 2024 I started that idea yet again. Within months, June of 2024, I started my business. While I will say the name is a bit hard for people to understand, it comes from my first and middle name mixed together. Makenzie is my first, Raven is my middle; Together RavenZie was born. This is pronounced “Ray-ven-zee”. Even though most people don’t say it right in the first try, I know my 18 year old self, just trying to complete a project, would be proud of me.
Makenzie, 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?
Hello! I am RavenZie Beauty by Makenzie Hippard. I am a 23 year old business owner who specializes in lash extensions and other services related. I have been a cosmetologist since I was 18 but I started with hair. Three years ago, I had the opportunity to learn lashes and other items. I caught on really quick and ended up loving what I do. My business, only open since June 2024 has gotten overwhelming support. I am blown away from the loving, caring clients I have met along the way who have become my friends.
Within the lash extensions world, I like to think I set myself apart in a few different ways. Firstly, I specialize in natural looking lash extensions that are based on your own health, length and thickness. This means I do what your lashes can handle and try to get you to a healthier point if you’re not there. Secondly, I continue to research all of the industry updates, education and new products that go on. I like to believe just because I was taught one way or that something worked once, doesn’t mean it’s always going to be the best way to do it. I listen to clients’ comments, concerns and other items to create the best services and products I can offer. This is one of the things I am most proud of. I like to think in ways I’m almost a therapist as well. I love to talk to my clients, good and bad, because I know that might be their only outlet outside of their close family. I try to unapologetically be myself so that my clients can feel they can be the same around me.
Additionally, some things about me. I love plants, nature and items of that sort. As of now, I have 15 indoor plants that I struggle to keep alive but love. If you want some brownie points, plants always win me over. I live with my boyfriend, TJ, of 3 years with our two cats Aspen and Slyvie. Recently, in our free time we have been watching all the marvel movies in order. Otherwise you can find me completing my last semester at school doing 18 credit hours. I graduate in May and cannot wait to be done. Make an appointment and get to know me more! I would love to get to know you as well.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I feel that my main goal with my business is truly to make people feel like they can be themselves. I love seeing that spark in peoples eyes when they see the final product of their lashes. It’s not only the service I offer but the unintentional additional items that come along with it. I love getting to know people and their lives, giving people an outlet to talk or just talk about the most random things in life. My driving force is my clients truly, seeing them every time they come in to tell me a new story within their life or an exciting milestone. Everyone’s lashes are different, just as everyones lives are different. I think everyone is beautiful in their own way, as cliche as that sounds. It took me a long time to be comfortable in myself and I love helping others find them within themselves. Even if it’s as simple as getting lashes done.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Personally, I feel there’s many different things within my industry that people assume or don’t understand. Being a cosmetologist, since I was a teenager, I’ve had many people tell me it’s not a real job or that I won’t make enough money. Cosmetology is enough of a trade that it’s not seen as a “real job” but not enough of a trade that it’s seen as “hard work”. With that being said, I’m in a specialized field of that trade. It makes it harder for people to see lashes as demanding hard work. Everyone’s lash line is different, I’m always going in blind because I never know what a person’s lashes will look like. Pictures being sent also don’t help due to the way you must look at lashes. It’s as much of a creative process as any. No one lashline is the same which means no one lash code works for everyone. Youre constantly adapting and learning.
Within a business standpoint, it’s also hard work. I am a self employed business, this means I am in every role in the business. I am the one who answers the phone, who schedules or reschedules appointments and more. If I’m sick, I deal with that alone. No one else helps me. Being on your own has its perks but also its downsides. I work almost 24/7. That client who texts at midnight may wake me out of my sleep. I may get messages on my off day but I still have to try and respond in a timely manner. If I’m on vacation, that must be fully planned out with messages that remind them. Time off is more of a problem than a help because it’s 2x the amount of work before and after. I am a receptionist, stock manager and service provider.
With that being said– I do love what I do but some people don’t realize how much goes into the business, especially a creative one. It’s rewarding but can be easy to burn out at times. I don’t just work a 9-5 and shut off, it’s a 24/7 thinking process that rotates around.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://RavenZie.Beauty
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ravenziebeauty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18aEDu3nZW/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
N/A
Taken by myself