Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Wright.
Hi Monica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I can remember always having a love for makeup. Growing up I suffered with a severe case of acne, it started when I was in elementary school. I learned about skincare and makeup applications to cover my blemishes. I used to look at magazines and think wow! I want to learn how to make women look and feel beautiful by putting on makeup because that’s how it felt for me. I’m originally from Montgomery AL, so inspiring to be a makeup artist really wasn’t realistic to be at the time. I thought that there was no way that I could support myself being a makeup artist. So I went to college instead, and majored in Nursing and I wasted four years of my life because I was afraid to pursue what I really wanted. I eventually took hiatus from school telling myself that I would go back, I just needed time to figure out what I wanted to do. During that time I took a job working at Dillards department in Alabama.
I worked in the men’s department for about a year, I eventually was asked to work at the Laura Mercier counter in cosmetics. Once I started working at the counter, I knew I found my calling. I was excited because I finally able to do something that I loved. I practiced my artistry on friends and family for about six months before I got the confidence to take on my first client. Soon after that, I started to book more clients on a consistent basis. During that time I started to feel stuck in Alabama, I wanted to grow in my artistry and seek more job opportunities and to do that I knew that I would have to move. I decided to move to LA and explore my opportunities. I was able to network and collaborate with amazing artists. Things were going well then COVID happened. My business was at a standstill but thankfully I was able to collect unemployment to help me. Things are slowly getting back to normal, and I’m able to book old and new clients. I recently found a mentor to help me navigate and mold me to my highest potential as an artist and businesswoman. I’m excited for what’s to come.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say that I faced a lot of obstacles. I was jobless for six months when I moved to California. I had a job lined up when I got here but the position closed one week after I moved. I had to go on an intense job search and the interview process took so long. I also had to start from scratch getting new clients. Doing things for free to showcase my work and saving money to pay for artistry workshops. With the exception of a few family members I didn’t know anyone out here in LA. I started to feel unmotivated and depressed. I questioned myself constantly, thinking was this the right step to take? The moving process from Alabama to California has been one of the most challenging things that I ever faced. I’m so glad that I did though because it’s the best thing that I could have ever did for myself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a freelance makeup artist. My specialty is soft glam, I enhanced the beauty of my clients with a stroke of my brush. I am proud that my work makes my clients feel good and keeps them coming back for more. I think what sets me apart is my ability to make applications look natural but glamorous at the same time. My goal is not to transform my client into a different person, just an enhanced version of themselves.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
So many things make me happy, it’s so hard to pick just one lol. Currently, it’s my peace. I’m happy that I’m surrounded by so much love and positive energy. Because I’m at peace, I can make sound decisions that will benefit me. I wake up every day feeling like I’m living in my purpose.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/BeautyMarkedbyMon
Image Credits
Black Top with white pants Sivram Jackson Pearl Look Rodney McCullum White shirt blue jeans Will Mac
