We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stephanie Sands . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stephanie below.

Alright, Stephanie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Yes!! There have been so many factors that have contributed to my happiness in my entrepreneurial journey. First and foremost, pursing my passion has been the KEY to it all. When you genuinely love what you do, it brings a sense of fulfillment and joy that transcends the challenges that come with running a business. So much personal growth and learning is definitely part of the equation of being a business owner and if you are open to that, it just gets better and better.

There have definitely been moments in my career where I have paused to explore other options. In 2019, I had just recently become a divorced, single mother to two children. I had also decided to open up my own studio in the hopes of creating financial freedom for myself and my family, along with the flexibility of creating my own schedule. This was one of the most challenging periods of my life, as I was marketing my business, juggling schedules with kids, and just in general trying to have a work-life balance. I kept my studio open all the way through until Covid in 2020, when we were all forced to close for a few months. Getting back on my feet after that was extremely difficult as I’m sure it was for most, but I was determined to keep going. After a while, I realized I needed to take a step back and get a full time job to get back on to my feet, still taking makeup jobs for photoshoots early in the morning before my shifts. My days were extremely long, but somehow I made it through that time. After I left my full time job, I decided to jump back in full time with my business, and I haven’t looked back. There have always been moments during my career where I wonder if I should keep going. However, through all the challenges I come out stronger and keep going. Each time falling more in love with what I do.

Stephanie, 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?

I got into Makeup by way of being a Classical Vocalist. In 1997 I attended Westminster Choir College, where I studied Voice Performance. During my time there, I became fascinated with back stage and found myself doing makeup for more than anything else. In 2001 I went to London, England where I attended Ray Cochrane School of Beauty and Makeup where I learned Swedish massage, esthetics, waxing, electrolysis and nails. Shortly thereafter I went to London Esthetique School of Makeup where I studied film and photographic makeup. After graduating, I returned to the USA and began working in the industry. My first job on set was for ESPN in Durango, CO where I truly fell in love with being “on set”.

Along with being a professional makeup artist, I am also a licensed esthetician and certified color analyst. I absolutely love what I do! I would say I am most proud of how people leave my studio, feeling happy and confident for their photoshoot, or the excitement after we find their perfect colors with color analysis. I am of course very proud of my work in film and photography projects I have worked on, but I enjoy helping others to look and feel their absolute best.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think what helped me the most was my positive attitude. Skill is definitely incredibly important, but work ethic, professionalism and compassion mixed in, is the best combination.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I will tell you that I had to organically grow my business from the ground up. I did not have much capital to get started, and I had very little to live on in the beginning. I had recently gone through a divorce and had just a little bit of money to start my business. Starting my business, I marketed myself by printing flyers and posting them at the university with on going sales to get people in the door. I constantly had my social media going, as well as working at a salon where I could talk to customers about what I did.

I also did makeup jobs that helped me get exposure. Every opportunity I had when I started out (even with little to no pay), I would take it just so that I had content for my social media. Making connections is everything in this industry and the more you are seen, the better. The more experience, the better. Even though this could be challenging most days, I had such a passion for makeup, it didn’t feel like working.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.skinworkstudio.com
• Instagram: skinworkstudio (makeup artistry) chromaqueen (color analysis)

Image Credits
Jill P. Mott Photography Marie Commiskey Tori Aaker Roger Williams