Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandria Haley.
Hi Alexandria, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Alexandria, but my friends and family call me Ally. I am a public health social worker, a mom of five, and a proud Texan for the past 10 years. Now I can add entertainment artist and small business owner, as well.
In 2025, shortly after welcoming my fifth child, life looked a little different for our family. Like many families, we were trying to balance the joy and demands of a growing household while making ends meet. With five children and a new baby, funds were tight, and I found myself wondering, “What can I do to bring in some extra income for my family?”
I didn’t have the answer yet.
Then came an ordinary family outing that would change the direction of my life.
My family and I went to Klyde Warren Park for the Independence Day celebration. While we were there, I happened to meet another mom who was offering face-painting services. At the time, I had no idea that this brief encounter would plant the seed for something much bigger.
I had no background in art. I wasn’t a professional artist, and I had never considered myself someone who could draw or paint. But something about that moment stayed with me.
I truly believe that sometimes you meet someone at exactly the right time.
I went home that night with a hope, a dream, and a prayer. I remember thinking, “Maybe I can do this.”
And that was the beginning of ColorPop Face Paint.
What started with a simple desire to help support my family quickly became something much more meaningful. I began learning, practicing, experimenting, and stepping outside of my comfort zone. I was learning an entirely new skill, starting and maintaining a business, while also raising my children and working my full-time job.
Today, we have become one of the many recognizable and favored party/event entertainment companies, serving DFW, Waco, and Austin. We are able to partner with local families, community event coordinators, and large corporate clients to provide professional entertainment services that are sure to be memorable.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest challenges was putting myself out there without a backup plan. I had no formal training in art, no supplies/kit, no established client base, and no guarantee that this idea would work. I simply knew that I wanted to give it a chance.
So, in the beginning, I said yes to almost every community event and opportunity I could find.
I would show up to events looking for opportunities to grow, practice, and gain experience. At the time, I thought I was simply trying to get better at face painting. Little did I know, I was also promoting myself. Every event became an opportunity to meet someone new, make a connection, put my work in front of people, and let the community experience what ColorPop had to offer.
I learned that sometimes you have to be willing to start before you feel ready.
To this day, I still experience what we often call “imposter syndrome.” There are moments when I look at what I’m doing and think, “How did I get here?” I am still learning, still growing, and still challenging myself to believe that I belong in this space.
Another challenge has been learning how to balance building a successful business with enjoying the life and people that matter most to me.
I absolutely love what I do. There is something incredibly rewarding about seeing a child’s face (or even an adult) light up when they see their finished design. But entrepreneurship doesn’t always mean having unlimited freedom. There is a real song and dance that comes with the ability to make your own schedule. Sometimes making your own schedule means working when everyone else is resting, missing family outings, or splitting the holidays. Sometimes it means learning when to put the phone down, step away from the business, and simply be present with your family.
As a mom of five, that balance is especially important to me.
I want to build something that I’m proud of, but I also want to enjoy the people I’m building it for.
Every challenge, however, has taught me something that I can carry into the next design, the next event, and the next opportunity. A difficult event teaches me how to prepare better. A design that doesn’t turn out exactly how I imagined teaches me something new. A moment of self-doubt challenges me to keep going. Each experience becomes part of the next one.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
When I think about what I do with ColorPop Face Paint, I don’t just think about painting faces. I think about creating little moments of magic.
I specialize in face painting for children, families, community events, birthday parties, celebrations, and really any occasion where people want to add a little more color and fun. But for me, the paint is only part of it. What I love most is watching a child’s face light up when they look in the mirror and see themselves transformed into exactly what they imagined.
I consider myself fortunate that ColorPop has grown alongside me, as I work every day to gain stronger skills and establish connections all across DFW.
I didn’t start this business as an artist. I didn’t go to school for art, and I never imagined that I would one day be creating designs on children’s faces for a living. I started with a feeling—a tug that told me, *“I think I can do this.”*
So I’ve learned by doing. I’ve practiced. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve tried designs that didn’t turn out the way I envisioned. I’ve gone home from events thinking about what I could have done differently. And then I’ve taken those lessons with me to the next event and the next design.
I think what sets ColorPop apart is the heart but also professionalism I bring to every birthday party or corporate event I entertain. I’m a mom of five, so I understand how quickly childhood goes by and how important those little moments are. When a family or community hires me, I don’t want to simply provide a service. I want to contribute to an experience they will remember.
I also think my background as a public health social worker has shaped the way I interact with people. My work has taught me the importance of connecting with people, listening, being patient, and making others feel comfortable. I bring those same qualities with me when I’m face painting.
How do you think about happiness?
I have a business that allows me to be creative, connect with my community, create joy for others (and myself), and build something that my family can be proud of. I am reminded daily of the bravery and courage I had to start, all from nothing.
ColorPop Face Paint is a business, but it’s also a reflection of my journey. It’s proof that sometimes the thing you never planned for can become something you absolutely love. And for me, every colorful face is a little reminder that taking that first leap of faith was worth it. Though I still enjoy being a social worker, owning my business and creating stability for my family, and sometimes my children are even along myside with me, is what brings me peace and ease of mind. Some of my children are old enough and have began to express interest in potentially joining “the family business” as they are already working events with me. Couldn’t get any better than that!
Pricing:
- Water-Based Face Paint = as low as $120 an hour
- Water-Proof Face Paint = as low as $150 an hour
- Small Balloon Packages – $120
- Waterproof Glitter Tattoos – $120
Contact Info:
- Website: https://colorpopfacepainting.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/colorpopfacepaintdfw
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/colorpopfacepaint
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colorpopfacepaintdfw/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/colorpop-face-paint-fort-worth
