Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelley Stull-Coffee.
Shelley, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up in New Orleans and then moving to Los Angeles (LA), when I was a child I was enamored by the glamourous allure of Hollywood, the thought of being a part of that world was just a dream. After graduating from college with a degree outside of makeup artistry, I landed a cookie cutter career that suited my degree perfectly, but was unhappy and unfulfilled. A colleague of mine suggested makeup artistry. -Insert eye roll here- I didn’t think that was a career, just a job that would never make ends meet. She assured me it was, complimented my makeup frequently and for not being a makeup artist, and honed in on the potential skill I have for thriving as an artist. However, now knowing, killing it at your own makeup and rocking it on someone else’s face are two VERY different things.
After some simple research, I found it IS a career and something I could thrive at! So I bet on myself and took the plunge. At the time, living in the Los Angeles area, I would bribe my aspiring actress / model friends into letting me do their makeup for their shoots or events they were attending and before I knew it, I had a portfolio! I decided to enroll in Makeup School and learned how to do Special FX Makeup. Having this specialized training gave me an advantage when competing with other artists for clients.
Soon after completing Special FX School, I visited my parents in Dallas, TX. A long overdue visit, so I planned on staying a few months. Shortly after arriving in Dallas I met with a local Agency who I then signed with, realizing I really did not need to go back to LA, (other than to visit friends) and shipped my belongings to Dallas.
Living in Dallas since 2004, I’ve met my, amazing husband, have an 11 year old precocious daughter, going on 27. –Insert major eye role here-
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?
Feast or Famine defines the life of an artist. With minor obstacles, managing my money was very important. When times were slow with the Agency; I worked for companies such as MAC Cosmetics and Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. Not only did I meet some amazing customers/clients, I learned new techniques and tactics from talented artists which gave me the tools to mentor newer artists to the industry. The challenges are short lived if you prove to be tenacious, continue to pursue your dream and treat everyone with utmost respect along the way. I was never too prideful to work outside jobs, while my freelance business took off. I harnessed every makeup endeavor as opportunities to build my portfolio, network and give back to my colleagues. My gumption propelled me to strive for the top and live the childhood dream. If reaching success, was talent alone, there are many artists out there that have talent. But what transforms makeup artistry from job to career is drive and perseverance. That is the true challenge.
SSC Artistry Group – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Establishing my business, I found it necessary to make sure my name is inclusive, I believe that when you put your name on your business (or anything, really), you have to live up to the quality and standards that you commit too and the pride in the product that you deliver to your client(s). Fast forward 15 years later, I have developed a myriad of dedicated clients and customers. They are so dedicated that I found myself having to recruit my fellow artists to assist with and travel with me in order to ensure the quality of my work maintains the high quality I expect and deliver. This led me to creating my company Shelley Stull Coffee (SSC) Artistry Group which is targeted to launch this year.
SSC Artistry Group will prove to differentiate itself from agencies and present more or less as a branding of talented and creative artists. Artists, I know, mentor and work with professionally in the industry. SSC Artistry Group, will be composed of artists that specialize in both hair and makeup and deliver a luxury experience to all clients.
My short lived experience in makeup has proven it takes tremendous focus, effort and professionalism to maintain and stay in the industry as a well-respected Artist. Some of my celebrity clients include Pitbull, Sam Smith, Brian Williams, Roma Downey, Angela Lewis, Nastier Liukin and Tiffany Cuban to name a few. I take my reputation and quality of work very seriously and am selective on those that accompany me for photo shoots, filming, etc. The SSC Artists will also have the same eye for design, quality and attention to detail while also achieving flawless results in a timely manner based on the client’s needs.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I have always had the utmost support and encouragement from my family in succeeding at my career choice but I would have to say my proudest moments were when my work was first published in a magazine or displayed on a billboard advertisement. I never felt the need to prove to my family I could be successful in this career, however it felt good showing them my accomplishments I achieved along this journey and how much their support and encouragement helped me when I found myself stumbling across those aforementioned obstacles.
I’m honored and humbled to be a part of this behind the scenes world that gives your clients the best face and presentation that they want which gives both the client and artist confidence simultaneously. It’s a win win.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.shelleystull.com
- Phone: 214-455-3299
- Email: shelley@shelleystull.com
- Instagram: @sscartistrygroup
- Facebook: SSC Artistry Group
Image Credit:
RJ Hinkle, Melanie Chartrand, Sean Thomas, Jesus Prieto
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