Today we’d like to introduce you to Alleyah Evans.
Alleyah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Throughout my childhood and teenage years, I was known as the 6’3 tomboy. I lived up to that name for quite some time. I was the t-shirt jeans and barley brushed ponytail chick. All I cared about was Basketball. I did what I could just to play ball, it was my life for some time. I went off to a College in Nebraska, where I got my associates and played basketball for two years. What I didn’t know was that when I chose to go there, I’d also find beauty in myself which I had not before. I began to stand tall and dress in what made me feel at my best. I also learned to do my hair, so I no longer had to be the girl in the ponytail. This was also the beginning of me wanting to be noticed.
After college, I moved back home and started working at a grocery store. I met a guy who changed a lot of things really fast I moved away to east Texas with him and got completely distracted. I found myself on a completely different path than I had set out for myself which was going on to get my bachelor’s and playing basketball overseas, but instead, I wasn’t working or going to school. I spent a lot of time not being productive.
The relationship between me and him ended almost as quickly as it started. One week after I decided to leave my Ex I found out I was pregnant, but after what we went through I couldn’t let that be the reason why we were together. I knew I’d be doing it alone as I went through Finding out I was pregnant, almost losing my child at four months and giving birth without her father by my side. Shortly after I had my daughter, I knew I needed a better paying job, If I wanted to be able to take care of mine and my daughter’s needs. My sister suggested applying at the contact canter she was working at. I got hired, it was the start of a new outlook on my life’s possibilities.
When I started it was a slow time of year and there was a lot of dry time on the floor, so I needed busy work in between calls. So, I decided that instead of coming to work with makeup on I’d do it at work and that was back in November of 2017, I quickly became good at it. I started using the most creative colors, and eye-shadow layouts and day by day I progressively got better. And grew a true love and passion for it. As I was getting better, I was taking on more things in my personal life as far as paying for childcare, car note, rent, etc. Eventually, things where weighting on me as a single parent at the age of 22. I knew I needed a solution to my personal turmoil.
I had always had the desire to help people and as I started thinking doing makeup for others is a way to bring up people’s self-esteem and make them feel beyond beautiful even if only for a moment. It’d also help generate revenue to assist with my personal life. That Idea was the beginning of making my own way and personal stake in this world. I then Introduced the idea of Makeup by Leyah Marie to my social sites in late 2018 an launched my official business on January 2nd of 2019. And It’s been a fast road when it comes to expanding my brand. And working with other companies.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being a single parent working full time and growing a personal business hasn’t always been easy, there were times where I was feeling discouraged, too busy or even stressed. I’d have weekends where I had no one booked or felt like my social media content wasn’t getting enough attention or I had a hard time finding someone to watch my child. I’ve even had to miss fashion shows due to not having a sitter, working or having a sick child. I at one point had to completely revise my business layout and pricing, But all of those trials and emotional moments forced me to grow as a businesswoman and a mother.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a makeup artist, and small-time hairstylist and I go by the name Leyah Marie. Although I do other things as well, I specialize in a few things such as Glam makeup, weddings, fashion shows and photoshoots. I’ve also modeled in a couple of fashion shows, and photoshoots. I’ve paired with a few up and coming companies such as Face sugar, Diamond beauty bar, Keep it, classy Models, Eden rose, A new hue hair and Trio swim collection. I’m most proud of the fact that I meet my customer’s needs every time! I listen to the customers/ companies and Get it done. I do some of the most natural looks up to the most creative looks.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
In the future, I plan on Launching a women’s event Where small businesses, local influencers and women from surrounding areas come together. An event to show women no matter where you come from or your background you can be successful. I will have guest speakers for Mental and physical abuse, Successful single parents, depression and someone to speak on how to start up your business, etc. There will be raffles as well. It’ll be a great event for positive energy and networking. You can look for that event in the upcoming year of 2020. You can also look for the launch of my YouTube Makeup by Leyah Marie In December of this year, 2019. And a photoshoot with an upcoming photographer by the name of Eugene Escobar and some models in the Dallas area.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 214-471-3019
- Email: LeyahMarieMUA@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leyahmarie_mua/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makeupbyleyah/
Image Credit:
Shhhots by esco
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