Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Beatrice Grimoldi, Owner of Beatrice Artistry, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I provide mobile hair & makeup service in Vancouver, BC. A big chunk of my customers are brides, but I also work with photographers and private clients for their special events.

Tell us about yourself

I dropped out of university in 2010. My very academic parents wanted me to have a career in business, and quite ironically, now I own my small business overseas. I just had to do it my way, I suppose. I studied Hairstyling & Makeup artistry at one of the most quoted beauty academies in Milan, Italy, and I graduated in 2011.

From then, it was a self-discovery journey figuring out which branch of hair & makeup I could truly see myself working in for the long run. I started off my career as a makeup artist working on movie and TV sets, but I realized pretty soon that the long hours weren't for me. I also worked in the fashion industry for some time, but I discovered that what I truly enjoy is working with everyday women. I love to listen to people's stories and be part of their very special days.

One big motivation for me is doing my part in helping women feel good about themselves. My motto is: you don't need to look like someone else to feel good in your own skin. I want to elevate your own natural beauty, not cover it up. It is a very empowering feeling to look at your image in the mirror and recognize your own beauty. A lot of what we perceive ourselves to be and what we believe we can do starts from the way we feel about ourselves. Our outside shell is very much linked to the way we feel on the inside.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment to date is being able to work solely for myself and not having to be represented by another business. I have been working for hair & makeup agencies for many years before committing to take that scary step and go solo.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

For me, the hardest part of being a one-woman show is organizing my work/life time in a way that keeps me engaged in what I'm doing but also happy. Setting boundaries, having a plan, and having the discipline to stick to it even on the harder days are key.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

When taking the first steps, I find it essential to be focused and stay committed.

It helped me a lot to have short-term goals (+ rewarding myself when I achieve them!) and a big vision of where you'd like to be, let's say, two years from now. Once that's clear and set, make a plan and a realistic schedule for yourself.

Be kind to yourself, and don't put too much on your plate all at once. This will avoid getting overwhelmed, burnout, and feeling helpless when you get sidetracked.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://beatricegrimoldi.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beatrice.artistry/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.