Professional Makeup + Hair Artist

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Leiah Scheibel, Founder of Leiah Scheibel, LLC., located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.

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

My niche is beauty makeup. Makeup that enhances a client's already gorgeous features while simultaneously hiding features she does not like. My makeup applications always look like skin, not makeup. My goal is that the client looks like the very best version of herself and no one else.

As a makeup artist, I am known for listening to my clients. I cultivate looks that clients desire while keeping in mind their level of comfort. Often, clients want to try something new and bold; most makeup artists will deliver that exact look. Almost always, that look is too bold for the client, and then they must start over or change several features of the look resulting in a frustrated client, a frustrated artist, and a service that extended excessively longer than it should have. My expertise lies in tailoring a client's desired look to their comfort level while completing the look quickly.

Tell us about yourself

I have a servant's heart, and I believe I was placed on this earth to make people happy. Seeing my clients look at themselves in the mirror-like they have not looked at themselves in 20, 30, or 40 years and seeing the very best version of themselves, the prettiest version, the version that doesn't make them feel like just a mother or just a wife or just their career. That is what motivates me to do what I do.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My most valued accomplishment is that I have created a career that I love, does not feel like work, and allows me to spend my time exactly as I want. Additionally, knowing that my son has watched me build my business from the ground up with nothing to a booming business supporting a life we love. Teaching him that he can do whatever he puts his mind AND action into.

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

The entrepreneurial journey is like a roller coaster. Working in the department store cosmetic industry, desiring an artistry position not behind the counter was difficult. Those positions only come about very few, and far between when they do, the brand usually has a successor in mind. But I stayed consistent with loyalty to my brands and interviewed for every available position; every no was closer to a yes. I had to realize that no, just meant not right now. After many, many years of persistence, I secured a regional makeup artistry position. That journey helped to develop the tenacity I would need as an entrepreneur. That tenacity lent to changing Arizona law to open our business the way we wanted it to open. That tenacity gets you through the no-gain days and months.

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

No, it just means not right now, or you're asking the wrong person.
Don't reinvent the wheel; tailor it, so it benefits you.
Consistent improvement beats delayed perfection. Get one percent better every day.

I recently launched a virtual self-lead downloadable course called The Business of Beauty. Of course, solely focused on launching and scaling your beauty business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://leiahscheibel.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leiah.scheibel.5
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leiahscheibel/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3tGiFWd

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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