We were lucky to catch up with Samantha Estrada recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Samantha , thanks for joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Where to even begin? Well i always took an interest in creating things. wether it be handmade bows, party planning, tutu making or even hand painted wine glasses. I believe creativity runs deep in my family we all are very creative in our own ways. I always took a interest in face painting at a early age. I remember i use to visit kiddie park with my kids and i would be fascinated with the face painter. Fast forward to my early twenties i was a stay at home mom with little ones. I purchased a small Walmart kit to face paint at my kids birthday party. My first time ever face painting. I got so much great feedback from my guest that gave me a idea to maybe start offering face painting at birthday parties. I begin my journey of face painting i started posting ads on craigslist, social media groups and volunteering for different events in san antonio to showcase my skills. As time passed and the word spread of a new painter in town business begin to boom! Not only was i painting at birthday parties but i got to paint for huge local company’s. From company picnics, customer appreciation days, and even getting to paint for a local news cast member and her special events. now you may think it sounds easy right? i mean you get to do something relaxing like paintings while working. But don’t let that fool you the success didn’t comes easy. when covid first hit my business collapsed overnight. It was devastating as a business owner and sole provider for my family. What use to be a thriving business to no business at all. All the years it took of advertising and learning had came to a end. I often wondered if i’ll ever be able to get out there and paint again. Once covid started to ease and the numbers went down it was like starting all over again. No advertising or picking up a brush in over a year. It’s like i forgot who i was, what i was capable of doing and i just knew it didn’t end there. I knew i had to do something to revive my business. I started painting again slowly and safely due to cdc guidelines. It’s way more work then just painting that comes with operating a face painting business to advertising for countless hours, tons of emails, scheduling and preparing for my set up it’s a 24/7 job that requires you to have a phone in your hand at all times. it can be a lot but i make sure to take a off day to spend with my family. Fast forward to 2022 i am now 7 years in of doing what i absolutely love and business is once again booming I begin teaching my first face painting class this year and now have a team of face painters who work with me. Sassy paintings is growing and i have to thank my returning customers and new customers for getting me here. Without them Sassy paintings wouldn’t be where it is. Every referral, every tag i get makes a difference and i couldn’t thank y’all enough. I can only imagine where this business will take me in the next few years Thank you for taking the time to hear my story what inspired me and how i got to where i am. May this be a inspiration to all to believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to start something new. you never know where the road will take you.

Samantha , 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?

My name is samantha or i go by Sassy i’m a a professional face painter. i provide safe face and body paintings for all types of events. Birthday parties, Glow parties for the night life, weddings, festivals and so much more. . No event is to big or small! I bring magic to your event one face at a time. Face and body painting is not only for children but adults too. I use all FDA approved products and glitters to make sure your experience is memorable and safe. What sets me apart from other entertainers/face painters? Well i would say my style of art, my worth ethic, and attitude.

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

I would say the most effective way to grow my clientele for me is staying active, social media is big! so staying active and present is a must. You have to engage with your potential customers and customers to keep their attention. Posting pictures of my work, or 60 second reels of paintings. Always updating my audience of local events where to find me, where i’ll be offering free face painting for the community and other awesome events.

How did you build your audience on social media?

How did i build my audience? I try my best to stay in contact with clients. I always ask to take pictures of my work to post on my social media and be sure to give them my page name to follow and see their child on my business page. 9 times out of 10 they will share their child’s picture. Tag a family member or friend and leave a review and that’s more exposure. I try to filter out friend request to leave room for potential new customers and make sure i have the right audience. Another thing is learning the algorithm to social media. knowing when to post and engage.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: sassy_paintings06
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sassypaintings/