Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Houston.
Shannon, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started my beauty career working at MAC Cosmetics for 2 years after beauty school. Since then, I have been working as a hair stylist and make up artist in Orange County for the past 10 years. From the very beginning of my career, my goal was always to learn and master how to do everything in the industry. I wanted my clients to be able to come to me for everything. I became a one-stop shop. I came to specialize in everything from color and cut, every type of extensions, up do’s, Keratin’s and was booked almost every weekend with weddings. I also worked as Alexis Bellino’s personal hair stylist and makeup artist for The Real Housewives of OC. In 2015, two of my good friends opened up a new salon called Latitude 33 Hair Artistry in Anaheim Hills. They told me to find a makeup line that I wanted to sell there. Knowing a very small amount of information on how the makeup industry worked, I thought it would be fun to make my own eyeshadow palettes and lipsticks to sell there. One thing led to another and with the support of my good friend Christina El Moussa from HGTV’s Flip or Flop I went for it and created Pink Dust Cosmetics. I have been doing Christina’s hair and makeup since the show started and she has been the most amazing friend and spokesmodel for my brand. I am very lucky to have her on my side. Our second year in business, online our sales are up 82 % and we are about to hit 30k followers on Instagram. With my husband and I running the business and still working in the salon 3 days a week, we are constantly focused on growth, and building the business. We are excited about the future and whats to come.
Has it been a smooth road?
I would say for the most part my career has been an exciting, slightly intimidating, sometimes exhausting, mostly thrilling ride. That’s the beauty of the beauty industry is that you never know where your career will take you. My advice to girls starting out would never be afraid of hard work and to risks. If the opportunity is there act on it! Nothing was ever handed to me I always had to go out there and get it. The beginning of anything is never fun and you are never going to be successful right away. The only people that will succeed in the beauty industry, and most industries, are the people that have it in them to put in the grunt work, take every job, bite your tongue, and be broke for a while. Knowing that it will all pay off in the end.
We’d love to hear more about Pink Dust Cosmetics.
Currently, I am working 3 days a week doing hair at Latitude 33 Hair Artistry in Anaheim Hills, where we also sell my whole line of Pink Dust Cosmetics. I specialize in color, cut, extensions, style, and makeup. I also make time 2-5 days a week to do my good friend Christina El Moussa’s makeup for the show Flip or Flop on the mornings she is filming. On the days I am not at the salon, and any downtime I have, I am constantly working to build my brand and create new content for Pink Dust. Owning your own business is a full-time job. It is all consuming but I love every minute of it. I think what sets me apart from others is that my job does not end when I go home. Both aspects of my career are intertwined so it is important to me to always continue building not only my business but my personal brand as well. Customer service is the most important thing. Not only to my business but myself as well. It is so important to me that everyone that uses my makeup or sits in my chair, leaves happy and continues to be happy with the outcome.
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
Always fake it till you make but never be afraid to ask questions if you’re not sure. If you are doing the best you can do and being honest about it no can ever come down on you for that. Another piece of advise I would give to girls is to spend time figuring out yourself as early as possible. Read books to better yourself and work on the way you think. Write down your thoughts and goals all the time. Get specific. Realize what you want and don’t be afraid to want it. The universe has a way of manifesting things so trust it. Lastly, I would say prove yourself in your work and your character. Not in your voice. If you keep mastering your skill and your passion people will recognize it.
Contact Info:
- Address: Latitude 33 Hair Artistry 416 S. Anaheim Hills Rd. Anaheim Hills, CA 92807
- Website: www.pinkdustcosmetics.com www.shannonrhodesbeauty.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @pinkdustcosmetics @shanrbeauty
- Facebook: @pinkdustcosmetics
- Twitter: @pinkdustcosmetics
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