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

Hi Miranda, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents offered very little to me as far as shaping my success in a typical form. I think the root of success is finding a way to cultivate your misfortunes in life. My mother was a source of love and respect, but she struggled with her own demons of self doubt, nonexistent self esteem and anxiety that hindered her every dream. My father was mentally abusive and as shallow and small minded as they come. He tore me down in my youth, but he did own and operate his own business so I guess I likely gained my entrepreneurship interests from him. I struggled to make sense of it all, but somewhere along the way I started using their absurdity as motivation to succeed. They became pivotal in my drive and still are. I remember being in high school having dreams to be an artist, my father told me ” you would be the stupidest person alive if you went to school for art, you will never make money”. So…. I made an entire career in artistry. I am 36 years old today and own and operate a very successful makeup artistry business doing what I love. I opened and extended that business this past year into esthetics. I do and sell fine art on the side. I took their negativity and molded it into a drive in me that dominates any inherited cynicism. So I’m some ways, they gave me everything. Glass half full!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a small business owner, offering makeup artistry and esthetics services for glowing healthy skin.

 I cannot help, but to view makeup and  skin synonymous with one another. Beautiful skin equals beautiful makeup. Or even better, beautiful skin without makeup equals the self esteem and freedom  to choose if you want to wear makeup or not.

How did you build your audience on social media?

For those that know me, they have heard me complain about social media many many times. I hate that we can no longer open a store front, make it look cute and grow our business off of peoples curiosity and word of mouth. No no, you must now be a content creator. How scary!

Overcoming the fear to put yourself out there is a make and break moment for many entrepreneurs. If you don’t want to get social, you better get creative on how to be discovered.

I am still riding the ever changing wave of social media and I don’t think I will ever master it, or be anywhere near the top. As some people out there have fostered entire careers out of it. Understanding the intricacies and keeping ahead of trends and being first to market on social media can literally make you 1000’s and 1000’s of dollars. unfortunately for me, just thinking about it feels like a panic attack.

If you visit my Instagram you may be like, “Miranda you’re active on social, you make creative content, you have a viral video, and it appears your entire business operates off of generating social media attention “. Which brings me to share with you what little I know and what I’ve learned about social media

1. design a completely separate compartment in your brain for fear and overthinking and close it up tight. dissociate from it and let it go. You have to try!

2. The more you post and exercise the mental muscle to overcome the fear associated with putting yourself out there, the easier it will get.

3. Stay active and try to post once a day, share your personal life in your stories, use social media to be social. People want to know your brand, and YOU are a huge part of that brand.

4. Think about your brand and what you are sharing says about it. I personally knew from experience I didn’t want a luxury, stale, uptight clientele. I wanted to attract down to earth, genuine, upscale – casual people because that’s who I am. I am a little bit of both. I am the country girl turned city girl. I attend formal events, but will enjoy a bonfire in the middle of the woods too. That’s who I am, and that’s who I want to attract. So that’s the kind of content I strive to share about my brand. Being yourself makes it easier– but you do need to think about what you’re sharing says about your brand.

5. pre make content, use apps that help you like Canva , and the apps you can pre load content so it posts it for you at optimal times

6. If you can afford it have someone do it all for you so you can focus on other things. It is money well spent, because branding is hard. Especially if you’re an over thinking or under thinker. I do mine myself, but always wonder if I should have/ still should hire a professional.

7. Network and be positive. I cannot tell you how many times I have hired artists that aren’t that talented, just because they are positive and pleasant to work with. Or how many times I have chosen to hire artists that are so outstanding in their craft, but then have he worst attitudes. I would rather hire someone that’s pleasant to be around than to hire someone that is toxic. I do mostly bridal makeup, and I can tell you 99% of brides feel the same way. They don’t want your toxicity ruining their day. Comment positive things and be a light on socials.

8. We are not competition. At the beginning of my career, and even now I have about 25% of makeup inquiries AND esthetic inquiries that come from other MUA’s and Estheticians. When they become successful enough that they must turn people away, they will likely steer them to you, if you are someone they trust and know will be positive, and pleasant to their clients.

I could go on, but that is the just.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Networking is and will always be the strongest way of attracting quality clients. Get out of your head and talk to people! Talk to everyone! Talk passionately and confidently. Find a way to authentically mention what you do anywhere you can. For example, my veterinarian has always been wonderful to me and my pets. I love her so much! (Shout out to Daisy Lane Animal clinic and Dr. Lesh. ) I dropped off flowers to her and her staff, and attached a tag from my clinic and my logo. I genuinely wanted to thank her. The next visit she asked me what all I do. I told her. Two months later she came in for a facial and was my highest ticket sale I’ve had since being open. Don’t be pushy, just share things you’re excited about and it is infectious energy.

Contact Info:

• Website: MirandaHummelArtistry.com
• Instagram: MirandaHummelArtistry
• Facebook: MirandaHummelMua

Image Credits
Katherine Mei Photo