Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nikolina Tepavac Ivanova, Founder of Glam Sophisticated Makeup Academy, located in Las Vegas, NV, USA.

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

We are a Las Vegas-based makeup academy, and we help aspiring makeup artists turn their passion for makeup into a full-time freelance makeup business, so they feel confident when applying makeup to clients professionally.

Tell us about yourself

I'm Glam Sophisticated Makeup Academy's founder and instructor. I help aspiring makeup artists turn their passion for makeup into a full-time business, so they don't feel nervous when applying makeup on clients professionally. I moved to Las Vegas from East Europe in 2013 as an immigrant, and I went from working in the hospitality field and working for a corporate job at Macy’s to being a business owner in only two years. My education started when I enrolled in cosmetology school to study esthetics, but I found passion in the makeup field. Soon after, I started booking my first appointments, and that is how my freelance makeup business started.

I've taken training from top industry celebrity makeup artists such as Makeup by Mario, Tamanna Roashan (Dress Your Face), Ella Vardanyan, and Lilit Caradanian. I still invest in my education and work with top business coaches such as Lauren Tickner, who are teaching me top business and social media skills that I teach to my students as well. ‍I've been voted Top 30 Makeup Artists in Las Vegas two years in a row, and in 2019 I developed a Freelance Makeup Blueprint that I now teach my students, so they can learn how to start their freelance makeup business successfully.

My reason for getting into education was to teach students not only how to apply makeup but also how to set up and run a business and how to use social media to find clients, as many beauty schools do not teach that aspect. ‍ When you work with me, I mentor and guide you while sharing struggles, business, and makeup lessons and experiences to motivate beginners in the makeup industry so you can see how I, an immigrant who moved to the USA in 2013 with $700 in my pocket, managed to build a 6 figure makeup business from nothing.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Helping others start their makeup business and make money in the beauty industry.

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

The hardest thing is separating your own emotions and feelings from the business, especially the feeling of motivation, because it can affect the business tremendously, in a positive or negative way.

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

  1. Just start, don’t wait for the perfect timing.
  2. Do not focus on perfectionism.
  3. You don’t need money to decide you want to start a business; you just need to make a clear decision and start.
  4. Work on your mindset the most - it’s the key to a successful business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.glamsophisticated.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikolina.tepavac.ivanova
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikolina_beauty/

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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