We were lucky to catch up with Summer Litel recently and have shared our conversation below.
Summer , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?
I think success looks different to everyone; but for me I think it takes a lot of passion. It’s vital to want it enough. I am a stay at home mom while running a small business. I am no stranger to burn out, but it’s the excitement I have for my work and the love for my family that keeps me committed and driven to succeed. I’ve invested a lot in my education and experiences. My experiences have been the key in developing my skillset and confidence in this industry. I put a lot of time in learning, and exposing myself to different avenues of opportunity. This came with saying” yes” a lot. It was also a lot of financial investment. I applied to jobs within my field, and took on extra work to afford my tools and equipment. I even offered many services for free to build a portfolio.
It was through those jobs and experiences that I was able to connect with people. Getting to know customers, clients and other local small business owners have opened up many doors for me. Most importantly I couldn’t have done any of it without the continued love and support from my husband, my family and my friends. I’m incredibly privileged to have a support system that allows me to be a stay at home mother and build a career for myself at the same time. This is a luxury not many have, so I’m extremely grateful. I feel that being present for my daughter while still having the opportunity to make a career out of something I’m passionate about is a success on its own.
Summer , 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 graduated from Paul Mitchell with a license in cosmetology. I’ve always had an interest in the beauty industry, but during my time at Paul Mitchell I realized I was most passionate about hairstyling & makeup. I felt that my creativity was limitless when it came to these aspects of cosmetology. During school I did a year long deep dive into makeup (this program was in addition to my required school work) and earned an honors in makeup application upon graduating. I was fortunate to be able to immerse myself in all of the opportunities that were presented to me such as earning a trip to Disney World to attend Caper’16. I earned my ticket by selling hair product, and a lot of it. After school I became a makeup artist for Sparkle Darling in early 2017. Sparkle Darling is a group of stylists based out of Green Bay, WI that specialize in bridal hairstyling and makeup services. I found an amazing mentor in Jennifer Wuebben (owner of Sparkle Darling). I’ve learned a lot from her not just as an artist but a business owner as well.
I now own Summer Litel Artistry LLC. I provide on-location hair styling and makeup services (both airbrush and traditional). I work independently, as well as subcontract for other salons & businesses. I specialize in bridal however I am always happy to extend services for any special occasion. I’ve always wanted my work to feel more like an experience than just a service. A huge factor that plays into the experience is the environment. Meeting a client at their venue gives them that extra convenience and comfort. When I work with a client I am putting in 110%. I take pride in the details from the time of booking, to the wedding day. I help create a morning schedule. I take the time to get to know my clients personally. During a trial appointment I take my client step by step through the details of their service. I take photos and make note of all items used to ensure that they are confident in the look they are going to have on their wedding day. I also provide my clients with a touch-up kit specific to them to ensure they are getting the most out of their look.
I’m so proud of the work that I do. I really care about my clients, and I genuinely love working with them.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The reward is in the work. It’s amazing to be able to make a career out of the passion I have for the beauty industry; but it’s beautiful to connect with the person that sits in my chair. It’s more than enhancing a person’s natural beauty. It’s cranking the music for an anxious guest, cracking a joke so they don’t cry, or sharing the silence for those who could use a minute of peace. I’ve caught tears, helped pick out accessories, steamed veils and even took photos of special moments that happen before the photographer arrives. Being present for the moment your client looks in the mirror and starts beaming at the person before them is a joy I look forward to with each person that I get the privilege to work with.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I think there’s a certain stigma that comes with my profession. Being a beauty professional my job has often times been viewed as nothing more than a side gig or a hobby. I was told it could never be a fulfilling career that I could support my family with. I’ve been told it was lazy, and I’d need an alternate job to fall back on. Truthfully it was challenging for me to leave the comfort of a 9 to 5 job. I spent too much time afraid of taking the leap. I had a massive fear of failure, and it made me insecure. With my doubts and financial struggle I continued doing what I loved – just not full time. I was miserable. I still had the desire to further my career in the beauty industry; It just seemed impossible at the time.
Once I became pregnant with my daughter it lit a fire in me. I really pictured what I wanted my life to look like. I wanted more for myself and my family. I want to set a good example for my daughter. Quitting my job to be home with my baby, and starting Summer Litel Artistry LLC in June of 2023 was the best decision. It has been exciting, exhausting, challenging, and above all so rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.summerlitelartistryllc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summerlitelartistry?igsh=Yzlld2F6eTJ2aTV4&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063850276141&mibextid=AEUHqQ
Image Credits
EBA Photography LLC