We were lucky to catch up with Marla recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Marla, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to start your own firm or do you wish you had started sooner?

I wouldn’t say I wish I had started sooner or later—I truly believe everything happens for a reason and at the right time. Before becoming a makeup artist, I owned a women’s boutique in Little Italy, San Diego, for four years. That experience taught me so much about retail, customer service, and the business side of the beauty and fashion industries.

Looking back, I see how running my boutique helped shape my understanding of commercial production and working with clients. Now, when I collaborate with production companies, I have a unique perspective because I was once on the client side myself.

Makeup has always been a passion of mine. Even while running my boutique, I sold cosmetics—it was actually my favorite thing to sell! I would also attend Sephora’s Sunday free classes just for fun. So, in a way, my journey into makeup artistry was always unfolding.

I believe I started at the right time. I’m still young, and every step I’ve taken has given me the skills and experience I use today. If I had started earlier, I might not have gained the business knowledge I have now. If I had started later, I wouldn’t have had as much time to grow in this field. Everything aligned as it was meant to.

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.

I’m a 27-year-old entrepreneur who is always evolving and growing in new directions. Born and raised in San Diego, I have a bachelor’s degree in business management, which has given me a strong foundation for everything I do. My journey into the beauty industry was somewhat unexpected but completely natural.

Since I was young, I’ve been involved in freelance modeling, which gave me a deep appreciation for the artistry behind makeup. I found myself drawn to that side of the industry, and as I started collaborating with professionals, I discovered an unknown passion for it. Within just a few months, I was working non-stop as a makeup artist, and it became clear that this was where I was meant to be.

I officially started my career as a makeup artist almost three years ago, and in that time, I’ve been fortunate to meet and work with amazing people who have shaped my journey. To refine my craft, I attended two makeup schools—one in San Diego and another in Rome, Italy. Studying in different cultural settings expanded my perspective and deepened my understanding of beauty on a global scale.

What sets me apart is my relentless drive to learn, grow, and challenge myself. Whether I’m in front of the camera as a commercial model or behind the scenes as a makeup artist, I bring dedication, adaptability, and passion to every project. I love problem-solving, whether it’s creating the perfect look for a production, helping a client feel their most confident, or understanding the needs of a commercial team.

I take pride in my persistence—if I’m given a challenge, I won’t just meet it, I’ll succeed beyond expectations. My goal is to continue growing, evolving, and bringing my best to every opportunity that comes my way.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Starting in the industry wasn’t easy for me because most clients already had their established teams, and as someone new, I had to work my way up. It takes time to gain trust and build a reputation, and in a competitive field like makeup artistry, breaking in can be tough.

In the beginning, I sought guidance from other creatives, hoping to find mentorship, but I quickly learned that this industry can be highly competitive. Support isn’t always easy to find, and as a freelancer, you have to be your own biggest motivator. There were moments of doubt, but I knew that consistency, persistence, and self-belief were key.

Instead of waiting for opportunities to come to me, I created them. I took on every job I could, networked, and continued honing my craft. Over time, I started getting recognized for my work, and the people who once seemed unreachable became colleagues and collaborators.

This journey taught me resilience—success in a freelance career doesn’t happen overnight, and you have to keep pushing forward even when things feel uncertain. Learning to rely on myself and stay motivated was one of the biggest lessons, and it’s something I carry with me every day.

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

One of the biggest pivots in my career was transitioning from owning a women’s boutique to becoming a makeup artist. As a boutique owner, I was my own boss, managing everything from inventory and marketing to customer service. I was on the selling side of the beauty and fashion industry, but stepping into makeup artistry was an entirely different world. I went from running my own business to starting from zero in a highly competitive field. Instead of selling products, I was now providing a creative service—and I had to prove myself from the ground up.

This transition wasn’t easy. I had to navigate the freelance world, learn how to market myself in a new way, and push through the challenges of being the “newbie” in the industry. I quickly realized that while the creative side of makeup is fun, it still demands the same level of business strategy, networking, and persistence that I used as a boutique owner.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://makeupxmarla.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/makeupxmarla