Today we’d like to introduce you to Yalda Saheem Rodman
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I come from a war-torn country where women are not allowed to do anything but stay at home, raise children, and take care of the family—essentially, they are treated as free maids. That’s where I come from. Coming to this country was a dream come true—a land of opportunity. When I first arrived, I couldn’t speak a word of English. I was sent to a school where everyone was either white or Black, and I was the only Middle Eastern student. At the age of 15, I started working at a mall to earn extra money to help support my mom and my six siblings. At the time, I felt like no one liked my presence, whether at school or work. But slowly, I learned the language, made friends, and eventually finished high school. Right before graduation, I enlisted in the U.S. Army, hoping to help my mom financially, get my brother out of jail, and bring my dad to the U.S. I didn’t walk at my graduation because I was sent to training.
I’ve always wanted to be independent and stand on my own two feet. Since women in my country rarely get such opportunities, I wanted to show my community that women can achieve a lot if they set their minds to it. After three years of training back and forth, I couldn’t progress further in the Army, so I was discharged from the U.S. Army. It was the saddest day of my life. I couldn’t get over the Army life—I cried for days, and it was hard for me to find myself again. I would go running through the streets near my house, crying and wondering why this had happened to me. Being discharged from the Army broke my heart more than anything. At that time, I had no idea where life was taking me. When I returned home, I immediately moved to LA and started school. During that time, I developed a hobby of singing for fun, and eventually, I wanted to pursue it professionally. I trained for two years and was ready to go public, but my family didn’t allow it. They said, “As a woman, singing brings a bad reputation in our culture.” Those words broke my heart, and I cried for days, but nothing changed. I was forced to choose between my family and my passion for music. I made the difficult decision to choose my family.
Afterward, I got married and moved in with my husband. Thankfully, he earned enough that I didn’t have to work. During my marriage, I completed my bachelor’s degree in business management, and I’m grateful for my husband’s immense support throughout my education. After graduation, I found myself sitting at home every day, wondering what I could do to build something of my own. That’s when makeup entered my life. My sister and cousin were makeup artists at the time, and I decided to learn the craft. This craft was the complete opposite of what I was used to in the Army. I dealt with guns, combat, and a type of training that was considered “manly.” Transitioning to makeup artistry felt like being sent back to first grade—it was a whole new world! It was very difficult at first, but I accepted the challenge. Even now, I still challenge myself on a daily basis, always striving to improve and compete with myself. It’s a journey I’m still on, and I love pushing my limits every day. I took makeup classes and started my own business as a bridal makeup artist. I did this successfully for a few years until the COVID-19 pandemic hit, which caused my business to plummet, resulting in significant financial losses.
Thankfully, I knew I had creativity within me, so I didn’t give up. In late January 2020, I took social media on as a full-time job. That’s when I started creating viral videos—makeup hacks, tips, special effects looks, and product reviews. Slowly, brands began to notice me, sending me gifts and PR packages. I landed my first campaign with L’Oréal Paris. It was small, but it was a start. Then, I got a campaign with Kiss Products, and more opportunities began to come my way. I managed to close these deals without a manager or talent agency, reaching out to brands entirely on my own. I am my own scriptwriter, director, producer, cameraperson, editor, and publisher—it’s all been me until now. The only person who has been my constant supporter and investor is my husband, Asef Rodman. He never gave up on me, always encouraged me, and believed in my potential. He still has hope in me. I’ve always told him I would retire him early from his job because he’s tired of working and wants to stay home to manage my campaigns. That day isn’t far off—I will make it happen soon.
The moral of my life and this message is simple: resilience, adaptability, and self-belief can take you anywhere. My journey—from a war-torn country to the Army, and then to chasing my dreams in music, education, and makeup artistry—has taught me that no matter how hard life gets, you can always reinvent yourself and rise above. I’ve faced countless challenges, but each one became an opportunity to grow and prove that I’m capable of more than I ever imagined. I’ve learned that setbacks don’t define you; it’s how you come back from them that matters. My story is proof that with determination, hard work, and the courage to embrace change, you can break barriers, inspire others, and create a life you’re proud of. No matter where life takes me, I’ll always keep challenging myself and believing in my potential.
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?
Has it been a smooth road? Not at all. My journey has been filled with struggles, setbacks, and moments where I felt like giving up. Coming from a war-torn country where women had limited opportunities, I faced cultural barriers and societal expectations that tried to define my place in the world. When I moved to a new country, I didn’t speak the language, and I felt like an outsider in school and at work. Joining the Army was a dream to help my family, but being discharged broke my heart and left me lost for a long time.
Chasing my passion for music was cut short by my family’s disapproval, and I had to make the painful choice to let go of something I loved. Starting over with makeup artistry was like going back to square one, and then the pandemic hit, wiping out my business and leaving me back at the starting line. But through every struggle, I learned to adapt, push forward, and find new ways to succeed. The road has been anything but smooth, but each challenge has shaped me into who I am today—someone who refuses to quit, no matter how hard the journey gets.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Content creation and the influencer life have become a huge part of my daily routine and my identity. Every day, I wake up with a clear goal: to create content that inspires, educates, and entertains my audience. My work revolves around makeup artistry, beauty hacks, product reviews, and special effects looks, but it’s so much more than just makeup—it’s about empowering people to feel confident and express themselves. I specialize in creating viral-worthy content, whether it’s a quick makeup hack, an in-depth product review, or a stunning transformation using special effects. Over time, I’ve become known for my creativity, authenticity, and ability to connect with my audience on a personal level.
What sets me apart from others is my journey and my drive to do everything on my own. I’m my own scriptwriter, director, producer, cameraperson, editor, and publisher. I don’t have a manager or a talent agency—I’ve built my brand from the ground up by reaching out to brands, negotiating deals, and staying true to my vision. I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve turned my passion into a thriving career despite all the obstacles I’ve faced. From landing my first campaign with L’Oréal Paris to working with brands like Kiss Products, I’ve proven that hard work and persistence pay off.
On a daily basis, my work involves brainstorming new ideas, filming and editing content, engaging with my audience, and collaborating with brands. It’s not always glamorous—it’s a lot of late nights, trial and error, and constant learning—but I love every minute of it. What sets me apart is my resilience and my ability to turn challenges into opportunities. I’ve come from a place where women were told they couldn’t dream big, and now I’m living proof that with determination and passion, you can achieve anything. My story, my authenticity, and my drive to keep pushing boundaries are what make me unique in this space.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Los Angeles is the ultimate playground for influencers, and it’s been an incredible city to grow my career in content creation. What I love most about LA is the energy—it’s a city that thrives on creativity, ambition, and innovation. Whether it’s the stunning backdrops for photoshoots, the endless networking opportunities, or the fact that you’re surrounded by like-minded people chasing their dreams, LA feels like the perfect place to be as an influencer. The diversity of the city is also something I truly appreciate. From the food to the culture to the people, there’s always something new to explore and draw inspiration from. Plus, being in the heart of the beauty and entertainment industry means there are endless opportunities to collaborate with brands, attend events, and stay ahead of trends.
That said, LA isn’t without its challenges. The fast-paced, competitive nature of the city can be overwhelming at times. It’s easy to feel like you’re constantly trying to keep up or prove yourself in a sea of talented creators. The traffic is another downside—it can eat up so much time and make even simple tasks feel like a marathon. And while the influencer scene is vibrant, it can also feel superficial at times, with a lot of pressure to maintain a certain image or lifestyle.
But despite its flaws, LA has given me so much. It’s a city that pushes you to dream bigger, work harder, and never settle. For me, the best part of LA is the sense of possibility—it’s a place where you can truly reinvent yourself and make your mark. And as someone who’s always striving to grow and challenge myself, there’s no better city to call home.
Pricing:
- 6500 Tiktok rate
- 4000 IG REEL
- 2500 Short Youtube rate
- 5500 Youtube rate
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@youngbeautyglow
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngbeautyglow/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/YoungBeautyGlow
