Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Angel Bear.
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?
From an early age, I knew I wanted to be a part of an industry where I could help others express themselves and create positive change in their life. Entering the beauty industry came natural to me. Since I can remember I have always been fascinated with hair magazines and experimenting with different beauty techniques that push the boundary of the conventional beauty standard.
I began my career in the beauty industry the summer after high school at 18 years old and became a licensed cosmetologist by the age of 19 in January of 2013. I was very excited to be a part of a such a vast industry and help others express themselves. Unfortunately, being so young and eager to prove myself in an industry that, at the time, had not fully embraced the idea of alternative beauty and inclusivity in the salon, came with a few personal obstacles.
I remember someone I looked up to in the industry once told me I was wasting my time by focusing on creative makeup styles and colorful hair that I should stick to the “normal stuff”.
I generally always felt that my niche was misunderstood by the stylists around me. However, I didn’t let that discourage me from pursuing what I loved to do. I knew they simply didn’t share my vision. I knew I was born to be more than just another person behind the chair. More than just another make-up artist. That my craft had a bigger purpose. I didn’t want to just do hair, I wanted to provide my clients with a SAFE SPACE. A space for them to come in and be exactly who they wanted to be. A space where nobody was defined by societies expectations of what someone should look like. A place where they could let go of the pressure of being cookie cutter and become the best version of themselves.
That’s when I decided to branch out on my own and ColorCherub was born. I decided I would become that safe space for anyone who simply needed it. I am very grateful that in the last 10 years, I have been able to witness the industry make major leaps to be as inclusive as it is today and I am proud to know that ColorCherub was a part of that shift.
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?
Being an entrepreneur is never an easy road. It requires you to work harder than you would ever expect, make sacrifices, and at first rarely take a day off. When I first branched out on my own, I was working 7 days a week. I was eager to learn everything I could about the industry to perfect my craft and develop a vision of what I wanted my future to look like. I was taking as many bookings as I could to get my name out there, not just as a stylist but also as a creative make-up artist and body painter. It was equal parts exhausting and fun. I was able to be a part of so many creative projects I still fondly look back on and body paint at some of the coolest events I’ve ever attended. It was all worth it in the end. Now I am exactly where I feel I should be for the time being.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
While I am a hairstylist, make-up artist, and body painter, I like to consider myself an artist in the beauty industry. The name Color Cherub translates to “Color Angel” a play on my name and because my main focus is all things colorful and creative.
I love being able to help my clients bring their artistic makeup concepts to life or help them feel ethereal in dreamy makeup for their photoshoot.
I love seeing my clients feed count go up after they get their hair done, seeing them transform and shine with confidence makes me happier than I can put into words.
I am proud to know that my craft not only serves as a tool to help others reflect on the outside exactly how they feel on the inside, but that ColorCherub as a whole is an inclusive safe space where people come in every day knowing they can speak freely and are comfortable enough to share their stories with me.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me is defined by living a life with purpose while staying authentic to yourself. I believe that as humans having purpose brings us fulfillment, which brings us happiness, and happiness is ultimate success.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/ColorCherub
- Other: TikTok: Ren.Angel
Image Credits
Sara Lauraine Photography
Heather Sansanelli
