Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Torry.
Jenny, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As a child, I was always very creative and had a huge imagination. One of my earliest childhood memories was in first grade, my art teacher gave us the assignment to draw two things that we want to be when we grew up, and after thinking about this long and hard, I remember drawing a picture of a painter holding her paint brushes and a clown to represent my funny side. I always knew I was meant for something more. In 7th grade, I realized that I wanted to make something of myself. I decided that I wanted to graduate early to begin my career as an Entrepreneur.
In High School, I received an award for the Congress State of Recognition for my artwork and received a trip for two to Capitol Hill, this was a pivoting point for me because it made me realize I want to be an Artist. I received a full scholarship to the Art school in Savannah College of Art and Design, but I had to refuse the offer due to family obligations, which made me want to work harder for my family. Fortunately, I received another scholarship for Graphic Illustration at ATI, which I decided to pursue because I believed that this was the only way to have a career in Arts.
During my time at ATI, I pursued a part-time job at High Tech Signs working as a Graphic Installer; I worked there for a year until I decided I wanted to pursue a career in the Fine Arts. I had a difficult time finding a Graphic Designer position as many of the companies were looking for employees with more experience. I decided to take a position that was not in the industry, and worked in Corporate for 10 years, and went to school part-time to receive an Associate Degree in Fine Arts and Arts.
In 2006, I decided to create my own business to sell customized artwork for homes and called it “JTorry Art”, I knew that this business was not very lucrative, but I still knew art was my passion and my calling. One day while I was working at Freedman’s, I was talking to one of my co-workers during a break and told her that “painting canvases is not cutting it, I should start painting faces, and see how that goes”, and the rest is history.
I started studying everything I could about makeup, and converted my website content from canvases to faces, and started promoting my newly-founded makeup business to my friends and their friends and families. Before I knew it, my business started to pick up, and I can proudly say that I made my dream a reality.
Great, 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?
Being self-taught there has been a lot of struggles along the way. I remember the week I decided I wanted to be a Makeup Artists, I did not know where to start as YouTube was not popular, and I did not know anyone in the industry that I could receive mentorship from. I remember trying to figure out that I needed to build a makeup kit, and I went to CVS and spent over $1000’s buying makeup, and had no clue what I was doing.
Another struggle many people don’t realize is that starting a business is difficult as you dive in trying to pursue your passion but do not realize the business aspect that is needed. I learned the hard way about the proper way to set up a business, i.e. businesses licenses, taxes, networking.
JTorry Makeup & Hair Artistry, LLC. – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
JTorry Makeup and Hair Artistry specializes in special events makeup and hair, including bridal, engagements, proms, and much more. What set me apart from other artists, is that I did not want to be limited to just one ethnicity, I have mastered the artistry on all skin types and textures. I am well- known in the wedding industry, especially in the South Asian community. I am most proud that I am able to help women help beautiful and confident in their own skin.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moment is realizing how far I have come being a self-taught artist. I did receive my Cosmetologist License in 2015 when I decided to expand my skills as hair stylist doing color and cut. I have taken my dream of becoming an Artist and have built an empire, in which I now have expanded my business to start a Makeup Academy, where I teach young artists the skills and techniques to become a Certified Professional Makeup Artist, and I have opened my own JTorry Studio, where clients can come and receive hair and makeup services performed by my team.
Also, I am proud that my second dream has came true earlier this year, as I received my Instructor License, now I can certify makeup artists.
Contact Info:
- Address: 13151 Emily Rd, Ste 250 Dallas, TX 75240
- Website: www.jtorryart.com
- Phone: 214-228-8860
- Email: jenny@jtorryart.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jtorrymakeup
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jtorryart
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jtorrymakeup
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jtorry-makeup-and-hair-artistry-llc-dallas
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnYWe5zrQEZpAkmhUVVYKRg
Image Credit:
Ivy Weddings Photography, Nida Rehman Photography, M2M Photography, Domus Aurea Portraits, Kauwuane Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
