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

Valerie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

My parents did so many amazing things for me through my life so far and I know they’ll keep doing so. One of the biggest things I have grown up with is the lessons of owning your own business. I grew up as the youngest child of 3. My parents have almost always been an Entrepreneur. I have seen the ups and downs of doing so and having your own business. Even through the hard times this inspired me to pursue my love as a make up artist. Because of my parents I had the strength and expectations of starting a business and making it something that I’m so excited to do every day! It’s really a job I never don’t wanna do. I have seen my parents loose companies, loose money, loose employees, but most of all I’ve seen them love what they do, make connections, make friendships, and raise 3 wonderful kids (I may be a little biased for this part , haha) that have all started our own businesses. Owning a company isn’t all glitz and glam even if my makeup looks are;) it definitely has its early mornings and late night, stress, hardships, and it all. Although I would never change it for the world.

Valerie, 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?

Hi, my name is Val. Owner of Glam By Val. I am a Minnesota based makeup artist. i have been doing makeup for 5 years! I specialize in soft glam makeup looks and airbrush foundation. My favorite makeup appointments are bridal makeup and wedding parties!
I love being apart of weddings as it is sometimes the biggest day of so many beautiful women’s lives! I love to hear so many love stories and bring the brides vision to life.
I never thought I’d be a professional makeup artist. I have always loved doing makeup looks on myself and others. Friends, some family, but pretty much myself. I love trying new products, learning new techniques, and enhancing natural beauty.
Until I met a wonderful entrepreneur who owned a wedding company. Though this she contracted out makeup artists and hair stylists for wedding dates. She reached out to me and asked me to join her and many other talented artists in this journey. I was so nervous as at that point I never have done bridal makeup! Once I started I couldn’t stop! The more I did the more of a drive I got to start my own business and keep being able to do what I love.
I do makeup services for so many occasions as bridal, wedding parties, photoshoots, date nights, birthdays, you list it.
I pride myself in making connections and friendships with my clients. I want everyone to feel comfortable and relaxed in my chair. I love all the different people I get to meet and work with. Other vendors, clients, venue owners, future clients.
Before getting into this industry I didn’t really realize how important it is to get to know everyone and make connections. I just saw it as a job, you go in , do the job, and leave. But it’s so much more than that. And that is what I love about it. It doesn’t feel like a job when I’m with my clients or chatting back and forth with them via social media or phone calls. It feels like me getting to know a new friend.

I look at photos of looks I’ve done, and people’s wedding days, and it just fills my heart with love that so many beautiful brides and others have had me apart of their big day.
I help clients through the whole process. Through the booking process, trial process, before hand services, scheduling, and of course the wedding day look.

I have reached out before the the wonderful women who got me started in this industry and have thanked her for showing me what it really means to be an entrepreneur.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for me to grow my clientele has been social media , and word of mouth. This both are so important for my business. Making connections with clients and building those friendships take you a long way. Those people than go on and talk about the experiences they had with services. Good or bad they talk. Making those experiences good bring more clients my way and so forth.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I don’t have a huge following on social media, but what I do have I’ve gotten through being myself. Showing the work I do and not being afraid of what people think. Sharing personal things in your life sometimes instead of just business related things makes people feel like they can relate to you and your work.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Glambyvalmn
• Facebook: Glam by Val

Image Credits
Jada Johannes from @midwestmomentsllc