Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Neikia Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Neikia, appreciate you joining us today. One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?
The simplest gestures can go such a long way and leave a lasting impression. There were two things that will always stick out and I will forever hold dear to my heart.
When I moved back from Atlanta, I was what you called a “starving artist.” lol. I was just getting my feet wet as an entrepreneur and beginning to build my clientele. At the time, I was doing makeup out of the second bedroom of our condo. It was working for the moment but with being in an HOA, I knew it couldn’t last forever. With the fear of being caught and not having the income to justify renting a booth, my mother-in-law made the grandest gesture. She knew what my goals with makeup were and wanted to support me. So what she did was allow me to use her mother-in-law house as my very own studio. RENT FREE might I add. In that moment a weight was instantly lifted. I now had my own space where my creativity could blossom. She wanted nothing in return but just to see me achieve my goals. She is still to this day, one of my biggest supporters.
Another kind gesture that someone has done was simply pray over me and my business. My mother, who has passed for some time now, was my personal prayer warrior. Now that she’s gone, I kind of wondered… “whose praying for me now? Well, when I was able to afford my new studio, I got it all decked out and ready to share with the world. I had a florist come in and create an amazing and elaborate floral design. After she finished, she grabbed my hands, held them tight and prayed for prosperity, longevity and for GOD to cover my business……….Talk about tears! Prayer can do so much and give you a feeling that GOD is present every step of the way. For this, I will forever be grateful.
Neikia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have been a professional makeup artist based in the Pacific Northwest for 13 years. I was able to get my jump start with makeup shortly after college. I began working at Nordstrom where I worked for brands like Clinique, Mac, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, Smashbox and Este Lauder. Being behind these makeup counters, working with products and attending their trainings really developed my passion for makeup. Over the years, my passion grew leading me to search for more in-depth knowledge. This is where social media began to play a huge role in my journey. Instagram, at that time, was really taking flight and as artist we were becoming more exposed to the Mua’s of the world. I began following several artists and learned tips and tricks through their teachings. However, it wasn’t until I took a lesson from a makeup artist in Atlanta, Georgia named Alexandra Butler who really took my artistry and business knowledge to the next level. For the year I was under her wings, I learned so much and accredit a lot of what I know from her. Shortly after, I moved back to Seattle where I began to dive into the world of entrepreneurship.
Being a business owner and artist, I’ve really learned to listen to my clients. I think asking questions is so vital. With my line of work, I often see other artist miss the mark with understanding their clients’ makeup goals. Asking a client, “what look are we doing today?” is simply not enough. Digger deeper and asking more key questions turns the experience into a collaboration. It’s our opportunity to bring someone’s vision to life.
We often forget that makeup can be intimidating for those who don’t wear it and even for those who know a thing or two. Makeup has evolved into this billion dollar beast and YouTube will have you thinking it’s as easy as 1..2..3. I encourage anyone to start with the basics and build. I always say, ” It’s easier to add something, than to take away.”
I take pride in being able to connect with clients through makeup. I truly value the men and women who sit in my chair for hour and share parts of their life with me. A lot of clients just want to feel beautiful. The most rewarding part is seeing the tears build up or the smile on their face after they look in the mirror. Those gestures feel like payment in itself. I love what I do and I don’t take for granted that people trust and choose to spend their time and money with me.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
If there is any advice I could give to creatives when it comes to social media is to simply…….. JUST POST. I think as creatives we often get tied up in making sure content is aesthetically perfect or worried about the number of followers. When in reality, people just want to see your authentic self. They want to know who is the person behind the camera? Overtime, you will learn who your audience is, what they like and be able to engage with them in an authentic way. Having a 100k followers may look nice on paper but means nothing when there’s not engagement. Focus on your following now, even if it’s small. A small audience can absolutely keep you booked and busy. I have roughly a 4k following and I’ve worked with brands like Amazon, Nike, BECU and other notable corporations. You never know whose watching!
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Being an artist is one third of the pie. The other working parts are understanding business as an entrepreneur and customer service. These elements are key. A lot of my understanding of business came with trial and error. Nordstrom, hands down, taught me the ends and out of customer service and how to create meaningful and lasting relationships. My belief is that the customer may not always be right, but they do have a voice and it’s important that you listen to their needs or concerns and try to create a positive outcome. So, I encourage those in makeup to try and work behind a counter. It teaches you so much that you will learn to value along your journey. And it doesn’t hurt to get a few free makeup products along the way. lol
Another aspect of business is learning how to properly function as a business. Being an entrepreneur is hard and there is no step-by-step manual. Understanding things like a business license, contracts, navigating and creating a website, business software and taxes are all moving parts. After a few years in business and not doing things the correct way, I began to look for resources. With taxes, your city or state will have free classes that you can attend to help navigate the process. I hired a lawyer to review my contracts and provide counsel when needed. After a year or two of DIYing my website, I hired a website designer/brand strategist to help develop the vision for my brand. Social media is such a huge and helpful tool now. It’s like the new yellow pages! You can find just about anything with a click of a hashtag. So I say to new makeup artist entrepreneurs, don’t focus on having everything perfect in the beginning because it won’t be. Mistakes are a part of business. “The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.”-Henry ford
Contact Info:
- Website: www.burtonbeauty.com
- Instagram: Burtonbeauty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Burtonbeauty
- Linkedin: Neikia Williams
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/burton-beauty-by-neikia-williams-seattle
Image Credits
Emazing photography , Victor Zerga photographer