Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Debbie Nguyen, owner of Pink Palette Artists, located in Houston, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Pink Palette Artists is a special events hair and makeup company. We specialize in hairstyles and makeup services for all events, including weddings, gala events, prom, homecoming, and quinceañera. We also have a department that specializes in Print/Media/Television/High Fashion photoshoots/Maternity&Newborn photoshoots.
Our team of specialists has the most intriguing backgrounds and natural talent. We take pride in our consistency in client satisfaction and flawless, long-lasting makeup applications.
Tell us about yourself
At a very young age, I was mesmerized by makeup. We didn't have YouTube or social media to watch tutorials, but I would have my mom take me to the makeup counters at Foley's (lol) or Dillard's or any department store so that I could watch people apply makeup. I would come home and teach myself how to apply makeup and pretend I worked at a counter. As I got older, I became friends with industry makeup artists, who would also teach me. They are still some of my best friends until this day.
After taking fashion classes in high school, unsure of where I was heading, I continued my education in Fashion Merchandising at HCC, then off to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. While in fashion school and living in NYC, the struggle was real. I had a few friends help me get into the beauty and fashion industry while attending school, whom I'll always be grateful for. Well, my dream as a kid of working at a makeup counter definitely came true. Don't get me wrong, I loved every minute of it. But I know I want to own my own business one day. I was blessed to have opportunities such as part-time makeup gigs while either attending school or working a full-time job.
I also spent many years in fashion production, corporate sales, marketing, and retail. I honestly believe every opportunity I've been given in my life has molded me to become who I am today. I've been able to make a career out of what I love to do and work with the most amazing people in the industry.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is to have built such a strong and talented team. I am extremely proud of who we are together and individually. Through the years, we experienced and learned so much and stuck together through the pandemic. The pandemic was extremely hard on everyone; however, it proved how strong and resilient we are as individuals and as a team.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It has absolutely NOT been a smooth road. The growing pains, the business stress, and the workload are all factors of being a business owner. The daily struggles, I call them, are completely normal. A struggle of mine that I would like to share is very simple, it's called "Life." Balancing life is the hardest and, at the same time, the most rewarding factor. Some call it a daily struggle as well, but it's one factor that must be worked on, practiced, and finally mastered.
I'm a wife, a mother of two, and a business owner. People might think I'm a workaholic but what they don't know is I have a lot of friends and family, like a whole lot, LOL. I love spending time with my friends and family every chance I get. I wouldn't trade my life for the world! The question I had for a long time was, "How do I succeed at everything at the same time?" I had a very special client who told me once, "Debbie, just do it and don't think about it, just do it. You can do anything you set your heart to do." In the last few years, those words have meant everything to me.
The juggling and switching gears hour by hour has been difficult but much
more manageable when you just go for it. With the support of my loving husband, family, friends, and coworkers, I feel like the luckiest girl I
the world. Not to say I have mastered it or ever will, but it'll be my challenge of a lifetime. And I choose to accept it in all aspects.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Always do your own research and understand facts.
- Never let judgments and negativity get in the way.
- Believe in yourself, and everything will fall into place.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
As an entrepreneur, challenges are faced every single day. There is nothing thrown your way that you cannot overcome or handle. Whatever that is, you will get through it someway, somehow. One step back is the only way for you to prepare yourself, and the steps will set you up to run.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.pinkpaletteartists.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPAstudiohtx/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkpaletteartists/
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.