Today we’d like to introduce you to Zaquisha Barksdale.
Zaquisha, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m the owner of Melanin Exposed beauty room where I cater to women of all ages, shapes, sizes, and nationalities. I’m a professional makeup artist and I also have a clothing boutique, since a young girl, I’ve known my passion has been with the beauty industry, I remember going to my beautician house every two weeks to get my hair styled and I would watch her style all the client hair before me I fell in love with the creativity and the means to take a woman’s natural beauty and enhance even more. I looked forward to those biweekly visits. I started to do hair in Jr. High for my classmates and that’s how I would earn money to do things that I wanted to do. Throughout the years, I learned about makeup and was amazed by the transformations, I quickly jumped in hands-on and haven’t stopped since.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The process of starting my business has been smooth for the most part, my mother has a boutique in Mississippi so she is knowledgeable in that area and has been so helpful and supportive. I would have to say the only obstacle that I have faced so far is marketing, being new to Dallas and trying to open a business Marketing is very important because no one really knows you so you have to promote your business and make it appealing to those you’re looking to attract.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Melanin Exposed Beauty Room – what should we know?
Melanin Exposed Beauty room, I would say the name speaks for itself. For those who are not aware, Melanin is the browns and black pigment in one’s skin. I’m a professional MUA that specializes in Exposing the richness of one’s melanin through the application of makeup, beauty room later came about when I decided to add my clothing boutique services to my clients. I’m extremely proud of my company’s growth and the ability to continuously add and offer new services to my clientele/customers. There are so many talented and driven women and men in Dallas and I feel being an entrepreneur is becoming the “norm” especially in the beauty field there are so many others offering theses exact same services but what sets me apart is the experience, think about it we women work hard to look good and feel good and that’s exactly what I offer.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
God deserves all the credit honestly without him none of this would be possible. My family have been my biggest supporters, my mom, Lakinya and life partner Aaron have been there every step of the way from encouraging me to sometime financially funding me. I can’t forget my children they are my motivation for it all.
Contact Info:
- Address: 17194 Preston Rd
Dallas Texas, 75248
Suite 135 - Website: www.melaninexposedbeauty.bigcartel.com
- Phone: 6624000184
- Email: melaninexposedbookings@gmail.com
- Instagram: Melanin_xposed
- Facebook: MelaninExposeBeautyroom
Image Credit:
Aaron’s photography
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