Makeup Is an Expression of Self

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty and cosmetics but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Marialys Maestre, founder of MakeupByMarialys INC., located in Miami, FL, USA.

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

We are a Makeup and Hairstyling team specializing in weddings and many other events. Our mission is to bring women together to embody their inner and outer beauty. We are a team that prioritizes cultivating good energy and focus on providing an overall great experience for our clients. Although our job portrays surface-level services, we make the extending effort to create a bond with all women from different walks of life.

Tell us about yourself

I am a Cuban, Miami-raised woman who has always been interested in beauty. While studying for my bachelor's degree in Business Management, I decided to take on makeup and hair artistry as a side gig to get me through school. Throughout those years, I connected with other artists and eventually started to grow as an artist. By the time graduation came, I was pretty much established with my beauty career and decided to take the leap of faith as an entrepreneur from the stable 9 to 5 salary.

In my culture, women have always made an effort to take care of themselves physically. As I've gotten older, I've realized the importance of how important it truly is to take care of yourself mentally, spiritually, and physically. I would say that cultivating a life in which I can physically help women accentuate their beauty but also provide advice or just listen to the lessons and obstacles that relate to us as humans is a big motivator in what I do. Not only am I able to express my art, but I also connect with others.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is being able to reach a level of stability in a small business and guide my assistants on the same path. I believe our purpose in life is to strive to grow to the next level that each phase in life requires and give a guiding hand to those around us to do the same. We only rise by helping others.

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 carry each and every aspect of the business on your back. Sometimes it can be hard to divide business and personal time, and it can definitely take a toll if you don't create those boundaries for yourself. There is a healthy balance between being productive in your business and knowing when to rest to come back even stronger.

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

Know yourself and know that your purpose should be bigger than yourself.
Progress over perfection. Like the cliche goes, Rome wasn't built in a day.
Don't look to your sides unless it's for wisdom. Comparison is the thief of focus and happiness. Your journey is yours, and that's what makes it special.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://makeupbymarialys.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makeupbymarialys/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeupbymarialys/

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.