Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty and cosmetics but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tracy Kozak, founder of Goddess Effect Artistry, located in Bolingbrook, IL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Goddess Effect Artistry is a team of professional hair design and airbrush makeup artists. We are also certified in four methods of hair extensions. We travel to our brides in Chicago and all of its surrounding suburbs. We also do destination weddings. We get to peek into everyone's individual styles, traditions, and cultures and learn what "love" and "beauty" mean to them.
Chicago is a very diverse city with a ton of beautiful women from all types of backgrounds, and I’m happy to have the knowledge and experience of working with all different skin types, colors, and hair textures and have the opportunity to service them all. Everyone defines beauty differently, and we want to enhance each person's outer beauty to match their inner beauty. We also support same-sex marriages and support the LGBT community. When we aren't working weddings, we are doing hair and makeup for film, conventions, runway, photo shoots, and webinars.
Tell us about yourself
Ever since I was a little girl, I knew what I wanted to do when I grew up. It started when I was eight, and I cut my Baywatch Barbie’s hair to match the actresses on TV. As I got into junior high and high school, I used my little sister’s friends as Guinea pigs, doing their hair and makeup. Getting them ready for homecoming and prom. When senior year came, and everyone was deciding which college they wanted to go to, I decided I wanted to be a part of making people look and feel beautiful. I went to a cosmetology school in the suburbs called Cameo, where I became licensed in hair and makeup.
After working years in different salons and being a natural-born leader, creator, and non-conformist, I knew I still wanted more. As much as I loved it, I never felt completely fulfilled working for someone else. While working in salons, I started Goddess Effect Artistry. Working full time for someone else while working full time growing my business. Fast forward to now… I was able to leave the corporate salon world with no worries that I won’t be able to pay my bills and live a life of traveling to women with the responsibility to make them look and feel beautiful on one of the most incredible days of their life. A day where they will be revealed to the person they chose to spend the rest of their life with. (With the help of my team, of course!) I am going on ten years of growing Goddess Effect Artistry since leaving the corporate salon world. What motivates me most is having the ability to help make someone feel like the very best version of themself.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is running a business where not only can I do something professionally that I love and can spread my creativity, but I can help other people love themselves more while doing it. I treat all of my clients as if they were my friends from the moment they book with me or sit in my chair for a trial. I’m here for them whenever they need me up until their events or whenever they need me after. I get on a more personal level with them. I’m not there just to collect my money and leave. I’m there to make sure they look beautiful and feel beautiful and have someone for them to count on the next time they need me. Someone, they can feel comfortable talking to. I think it came from the years of working in a salon. People tell their hairstylists EVERYTHING. They confide in them. They come tired and stressed and leave feeling fresh and happy. And during that time, I’m not just their stylist. I’m their friend. I'm a huge believer in energy and vibes.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things about being a business owner is having to play every role in the business. However, While it's the hardest, it's also the most rewarding.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be authentic. This is so important. Your vibe attracts your tribe, and that's true for your clients as well. Build a brand around your own energy and who you are, and you will attract those types of clients who you love working with and who make you excited to go to work every day.
- Sit down, really think about what you're passionate about, and then figure out a way how to turn that into a living. Don't only ask yourself how it can benefit you but also how it can benefit others. This is so important because hard work is tough! Joy in what you do can come in waves, even if you love what you do, being busy can get exhausting. But when you sit down and remind yourself of your "why" you quickly realize how worth it, it really is.
- Find someone you look up to and learn from them. Never ever stop learning.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I wouldn't be able to do what I do without my loyal clients, referrals from everyone who has been so supportive over the years, and my team, which is super talented and consistent in their skills. I'm truly grateful.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.goddesseffectartistry.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goddesseffectartistrychicago/
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.
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