We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nina Sonier| Nina Paul The Beauty Garden a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nina Sonier| Nina Paul The Beauty Garden , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
Yes. Sure, I started out doing makeup in strip clubs for $25 to build my clientele. Then I started taking everyday clients and I still was charging $25 dollars and I was working non stop on the weekends., I had to in order to make that $25 dollars make sense lol. Eventually, I started incorporating hair with makeup and I would travel to every client. I then started charging $45 dollars around 2016 and 2017 and still traveling and wouldn’t even charge a travel fee they were with me in the beginning when I first started. So no it was never rewarding in the beginning financially but it was my passion and I was going to keep going no matter what! I wish I would’ve knew more about networking and business credit. Just invested more into the professional side of it.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m MissGorgeousNina…..The Trap MUA! I had family and friends who were entertainers and I loved everything about the atmosphere! I started going to work with them and I was always hanging in the dressing rooms while they got ready and I would do their hair and makeup and then the other ladies would also want services done so eventually I started working in different clubs doing makeup. This industry definitely requires discipline because you’re never home. I provide VIP/PRIVATE makeup services. I service clients were we have non disclosures in place so it protects my client and myself. What sets me apart is I respect my clients privacy, what they like, and how makeup makes them feel. I’m most proud of how long I’ve had a relationship with some of my clients. That speaks for my brand. Customer service is EVERYTHING, no matter how close you and your clients are.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
So last year I was doing makeup for one of my brides, who also a friend of mine. As I finish her makeup and she leaves to get dressed, I hear panic! Her zipper was not budging and no one could figure out why… It was absolute silence, then panic as everyone watched everyone take turns to help…. I couldn’t take it, I went in there and was like we’re going to get you in this dress……. I had some needle and thread and I got under her dress and sewed her in the dress…Sometimes we do things and it shocks you, like, did I really do that? Lol but I love my clients and I’ll do it all over again!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding thing to me is you never stop learning and growing in the beauty industry!!!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: ninapaulthebeautybar
- Facebook: Nina Sonier
- Other: Instagram: missgorgeousnina_mua_