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

Tiana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

The idea wasn’t something I planned—it was something that naturally evolved. My husband was the first person to suggest I start taking clients. At the time, I had a lot of free time, and I had gotten really good at doing my own makeup. We talked about it, and I thought, why not? But if I was going to do this, I needed a name first.
I chose Makeup by Tiana because I knew myself—I have multiple passions, and I wanted a name that could grow with me. Once I had that figured out, I built a makeup kit, making sure I had everything I needed: foundations, concealers, setting powders, loose glitters, pigments, neutral palettes, and a solid brush set.

When the world started opening back up, I put myself out there by tagging myself as a Philly makeup artist to attract clients. It wasn’t easy—breaking into the industry during a time when people were hesitant to leave their homes was a challenge. But I kept going and eventually booked a few clients. I even had the opportunity to be the makeup artist on set for a photoshoot, which was a huge confidence boost.

About a year later, we moved back to NYC. If breaking into the beauty industry in Philly was tough, NYC was on another level. I decided to put makeup on the back burner for a bit and focus on building my brand on Instagram. But things had changed—the algorithm was different, and I wasn’t posting every day like I had before. Instead of giving up, I pivoted.

I started paying closer attention to my audience. My insights showed that people loved my lifestyle content in my stories, so I decided to incorporate more of that into my feed. I figured, maybe people want to know more about the artist, not just the art.

I knew this was worth pursuing because my unwillingness to quit comes from my roots. I’m a grandchild of immigrants and a native New Yorker—hustle is in my blood. NYC is where people go to chase their dreams, but when you’re born here, you grow up with the drive to create your own lane. My grandparents immigrated from Honduras and instilled the importance of hard work in me from a young age. If nothing else, I wasn’t going to let them down.

For me, the logic was simple: If it brings me joy, it’s worth pursuing. I knew I had talent, I had passion, and I was willing to adapt. That’s why I never gave up—and I still haven’t.

Tiana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Tiana—an Afro-Latina Muslim creative entrepreneur with a passion for bringing ideas to life. My family is from Honduras, and I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY as the oldest of four girls—a role that definitely shaped my leadership skills early on! I studied political and environmental sciences at Columbia University, initially pursued a career in education, and later transitioned into operations and project management. But no matter where life has taken me, one thing has remained constant: I’ve always been a creative person.

My journey into entrepreneurship started with makeup. In college, I spent hours practicing on myself and my friends, and eventually, I started sharing my work online. During the pandemic, I took things a step further by consistently posting and taking clients. But makeup was just the beginning—I soon realized I had other creative passions I wanted to explore, like event planning, travel services, and custom design work. Instead of choosing just one, I decided to embrace them all, building a brand that reflects my versatility and love for creating experiences.

I provide a range of creative services, including:
– Makeup Artistry – Helping clients feel their best for special occasions, photoshoots, and events.
– Event Planning – From intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations, I bring ideas to life with thoughtful execution.
– Travel Planning – Creating personalized travel experiences so my clients can explore the world with ease.
– Custom Creations – Designing personalized items like t-shirts and mugs for individuals and businesses.

What sets me apart is my unique background and ability to adapt. Not many people expect to meet an Afro-Latina, Muslim, Brooklyn-born creative entrepreneur, but I love that my identity gives me a unique perspective. I bring a mix of cultural richness, organization, and artistic vision to everything I do.

I’m proud of my resilience and ability to pivot. Breaking into multiple industries—makeup, event planning, content creation, and travel—hasn’t been easy, but I never give up. I’ve built relationships, helped people celebrate major life moments, and created experiences that people will remember. Seeing the joy my work brings to others is what keeps me going.

At the core of everything I do is the belief that if something brings you joy, it’s worth pursuing. My brand is about more than just services—it’s about making dreams tangible. Whether you’re looking for a flawless makeup look, a well-executed event, the perfect travel experience, or custom-designed products, I bring passion, skill, and dedication to everything I touch.
If you’re looking for a creative partner who truly cares, I’d love to work with you!

How did you build your audience on social media?

I started building my audience on social media during the pandemic when I had more free time to focus on content creation. I joined a makeup enthusiast group dedicated to growing their brands and pages, where the challenge was to post every day at the same time. That consistency helped me gain visibility and improve my skills. My husband had gifted me a camera, and my little sister gave me some photography lights, so I had everything I needed to start filming. I posted makeup videos daily, experimenting with different looks and engaging with my audience.

When I moved back to NYC, I realized that breaking into the makeup industry here was even more competitive, so I had to pivot my content. I noticed that my followers engaged most with my lifestyle content, so I leaned into that, sharing more about myself and my daily life. Even though I wasn’t posting makeup every day like before, I stayed consistent in showing up for my audience in a way that resonated with them.

Advice for Those Building a Social Media Presence:
– Be Consistent – Posting regularly (even if it’s not daily) keeps you top of mind for your audience.
– Pay Attention to Your Insights – See what content performs well and lean into it. Your audience will tell you what they like!
– Be Flexible & Pivot When Needed – Algorithms change, and so do interests. Don’t be afraid to switch up your content if needed.
– Engage with Your Audience – Reply to comments, interact with others in your niche, and build real connections.
– Show Who You Are – People connect with authenticity. Sharing more about you (not just your work) can help build a loyal following.

Most importantly, don’t give up! It takes time to build an engaged audience, but as long as you stay consistent, adaptable, and true to yourself, your people will find you.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

At the core of everything I do is the belief that if something brings you joy, it’s worth pursuing. My creative journey is driven by my desire to explore my passions, create meaningful experiences, and help others feel confident and celebrated—whether through makeup, event planning, travel, or custom designs.

One of the things also driving my journey is my desire to retire doing something creative. I believe that, in the end, I will start an event planning business and spend the rest of my life doing what I find truly fulfilling. I’m driven by the belief that I am meant to create, and while the exact path isn’t completely clear to me yet, that’s the ultimate goal I’m always working toward.

As an Afro-Latina, Muslim entrepreneur from Brooklyn, I also want to challenge expectations and inspire others who may not see people like themselves represented in creative industries. I’ve built my brand around versatility and adaptability, proving that you don’t have to fit into just one box—you can embrace multiple passions and build a life that reflects all of who you are.

Ultimately, my mission is to bring ideas to life, whether it’s helping someone feel their best with a flawless makeup look, bringing a vision to reality through event planning, curating unforgettable travel experiences, or designing custom products that hold personal meaning. Every project I take on is an extension of my creativity, culture, and passion for making moments special.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bio.site/TianaLino
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiana.lino/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054640382156#
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@professorlino
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tiana.lino
  Lemon8: @tiana.lino
  Travel by Tiana Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077467767805
  Made by Tiana Instagram (Customization business): https://www.instagram.com/bytiana2021/