We were lucky to catch up with Marquita Newton recently and have shared our conversation below.
Marquita, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
In 2008, I realized I needed to move in order to find more opportunities. I relocated to Atlanta, GA, from the small town of Texarkana, AR. At the time, I was working as a correctional officer, and I made the decision to sell everything I owned to start fresh in Atlanta, hoping for more options and a new direction in life.
Although I attended college right after high school in 2002 on a Band Scholarship, majoring in Mass Communications with a minor in Print and Broadcast Journalism, I assumed that as a college graduate in 2007, I would easily find a job at a radio or news station.
My dream was deferred, but not forgotten. After college, I worked in retail and corrections, still searching for my place in the world. I was frustrated that I wasn’t making the income I had expected with a bachelor’s degree.
After moving to Georgia, I still struggled to find employment. It was then that I realized we were in a recession! I had no idea what was happening in the world at the time—just a small-town girl ready to find my purpose. However, I didn’t give up! One day, during my job search, I heard a small voice say, “Look up what jobs will be lucrative in 10 years.” Mind you, this was 2008.
A quick search on Bing revealed that the beauty and personal appearance industry would indeed be lucrative.
As a result of my market research, I decided to visit a beauty school specializing in esthetics, nails, and massage. I made an appointment for a tour and ultimately enrolled in the Nail Technician program. My reasoning was simple: it was the shortest program, and I needed a job fast.
Marquita, 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?
Getting into the beauty, health, and wellness industry was the best decision I could have made for myself. I struggled to find my way, but by the grace of God and following my intuition, I made the executive decision to pursue a well-thought-out career when it was extremely difficult for me to land a position in my field of journalism.
I started off as a nail technician, working part-time and on-call at a nail salon after moving back to my hometown. I finished nail school just in time before being evicted from my apartment in 2010. Although I had roommates, they couldn’t seem to carry their weight like I did.
I had to move back home and worked four jobs until I landed a position at a nail salon in 2014. I worked there for six years before deciding to attend esthetician school to get my esthetician license—I needed more than just doing pedicures! However, there were no esthetician programs in Texarkana, AR/TX, only cosmetology programs, which fell short of my expectations for a quality education.
My search for a school led me to make another executive decision. I visited a school in Dallas, TX—the well-known Paul Mitchell the School Dallas. After touring the school, I decided it was the right fit for me. I found a job as a nail technician in the West Village/Uptown Dallas metro area, secured an apartment, and enrolled in esthetician school.
It was definitely a journey, but I graduated in 2016 and have been a dual-licensed Esthetician and Nail Technician ever since.
I knew I was on the path to the career I had envisioned when I decided to enter the beauty industry after college.
Currently, I’m an Esthetics, Makeup, and Nail Technician Instructor by day and a professional traveling runway, film, and stage MUA. In my treatment room/my business, I offer waxing services and focus on helping clients with hyperpigmentation and acne. I also create custom press-on nails for editorial and stage performances.
In the treatment room, I aim to be as holistic and natural as possible—less is more.
What sets me apart from others is my commitment to customer service and my enthusiasm for helping clients achieve healthy skin, nails, and makeup looks.
When it comes to my makeup services, I focus on skin health. I believe that healthy skin is the foundation of a great makeup application. I cleanse the skin, exfoliate if needed, and then hydrate the skin with a moisturizer suited to the client’s skin type.
I’m most proud of my resilience, always growing and learning while keeping up with the trends necessary for success in this industry. I have recently launched my YouTube channel, Kita Alece Esthetics, and my podcast for beauty professionals, GlamOur Chronicles, on Patreon. I look forward to growing both platforms.
It feels like a full-circle moment, given that I initially went to college for journalism and broadcasting.
In conclusion, my brand focuses on being a traveling MUA, as seen on my Instagram @Kitathedallasmua, where I’ve showcased my work on the Louis Vuitton Runway, Bronner Brothers Hair Battle, Dallas Fashion Week, and Barbizon Modeling and Talent Agency. This year, alongside a great team of creatives, we won the Bronner Brothers New Orleans 2024 competition. I am now an award-winning MUA and Nail Technician. I also offer traveling spa services through @thespacrew on Instagram, specializing in parties, weddings, and corporate events.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My mission is to inspire future professionals in any career. I advise them to set SMART Goals:
S. (Specific) Clearly define your goal.
M. (Measurable) Use benchmarks to track progress toward your goal.
A. (Achievable) Ensure the goal is attainable.
R. (Relevant) Make sure the goal aligns with your overall objectives.
T. (Time-bound) Set a specific timeline or deadline for achieving your goal.
Advice from my experiences on my creative journey:
Create vision boards every year for short-term goals, and one every five years for long-term goals.
Learn how to effectively utilize social media to advance your career.
Every mentor should have a mentor.
Use those who are already doing what you aspire to do as a blueprint.
Never stop learning.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
“The most rewarding thing for me is that I earn a living by doing what I absolutely love! It wasn’t easy, but it was absolutely worth every up and down. As a result, I can now inspire future creative professionals and leave my legacy.”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kitathedallasmua; @thespacrew, @regalelements
- Youtube: Kita Alece Aesthetics
- Other: Patron: GlamOurChronicles Podcast
Image Credits
@Alistphotography
and
Marquita Newton @KitatheDallasMUA