We recently connected with Phoebe Dawson and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Phoebe thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

I think the biggest risk ive taken was moving to Los Angeles from Australia at 19 years old with just 2 suitcases, no idea how to drive, where I was going to live, work or how I was going to get started and I had no money & didnt know a single person. I also didnt realize that I had moved here during a recession and even finding a basic job as a waitress was really hard, and all the writers in the entertainment industry were striking. As challenging and scary as it was it also was extremely motivating because I had to figure it out and I didnt want to move all the way back home and not make it. So I hit the ground running and everyday I was job hunting, went to any interview I could get, reached out to every makeup artist and agency I could find to ask to assist them even for free to get started. I got a job as a waitress and slowly over time started doing small gigs here and there and that grew into bigger ones until I was able to stop waitressing.

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 am a freelance Makeup Artist and I work with all kinds of different clients and gigs, from actors, singers, athletes, brides, weddings, events, red carpet, music videos, personal clients, movies, photoshoots, fashion shoots, red carpet and more! I also do makeup lessons and classes. One of the cool things about my job is that I get to work with the really talented and interesting people from all over the world, and I get to learn about so many different things often before they hit the public market. I get to travel to some really cool places across the USA and internationally to places like Mexico, Jamaica, and Italy for work!

I love helping my clients look their best and that I get to be a part of the biggest most important moments of their lives and careers and support them. I also love bringing their vision to life and working closely with my clients or directors to create a character or beautiful look. Since I was a young teenager I always loved wearing makeup, doing my hair and dressing in outfits I love, it really changed how I felt inside, gave me confidence and it affects how we show up in the world when we feel good about how we look! I love that transformation process, and collaborating with others!

Owning my own business has definitely had its challenges, but its so rewarding to build something from nothing over time, see it grow and grow. I love learning about business, self improvement, mindset and growing. I am always investing in my craft, makeup classes, practicing, trying to get better, thinking how I can better organize my makeup kit, provide a better service to clients, set up my business better etc, I also invest heavily into my own growth as a person and take care of myself, my mental health and my body because I strongly believe that also affects every area of our lives and everyone we come in contact with. The inside is just as important as the outside. Its so rewarding to work really hard at something and look back and be like wow I dreamed of being here, there are so many very specific goals I have written down and put on my vision board that have come true. I feel I am just getting started and I am so excited to see what is next.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I think the best way for me to grow my clientele is by showing up and providing the best service I can to my clients, not only is it important to do a beautiful makeup look they love, but also to listen to them and hear their vision of what they want and make sure they are happy with the look. I think energy is so important too, I always try to bring peaceful, positive energy to every client to make sure their experience is enjoyable and stress free, I make sure I am there on time and organized with everything I need. If clients love their experience they naturally refer me to others, so referrals is the most common way people book me now because it is such a personal service. Also building relationships with other makeup artists, I am so grateful I am connected to an amazing group of artists, we help each other, give each other advice and refer each other to jobs and clients when we cant do them, so its so great to have that network. Having a mindset of collaboration and working together vs competition.

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

During covid, and then a huge industry wide strike in 2023 there were long periods of time where the entertainment industry was completely shut down, shoots were not happening, so I did pivot and I started doing weddings, because people were still getting married, this was so helpful and amazing to create a new revenue stream for myself that was consistent, it also lead to other work like doing makeup for engagement shoots, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, maternity photos and more! Clients often come back, or maybe I will do a bride then a year later her sister gets married so ill also do her wedding etc. I now still do brides which has been great to have this side of my business that stays busy year round along with my entertainment industry clients.

I also pivoted and did a lot of makeup lessons, I offered personal 1 on 1 makeup lessons, I helped people go through their current makeup and access what they needed to get rid of and add to their collection that would be most flattering for them. I did group lessons on zoom and more recently in person! Teaching is completely different then doing makeup on a client, and its challenged me in new areas, also its been so rewarding and beautiful to help and empower women with their own everyday makeup skills.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.phoebedawson.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoebemakeup/