Today we’d like to introduce you to Timberly Williams.
Timberly, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started in the Cosmetics Industry in 2000 working for Estee’ Lauder, and later working for MAC Cosmetics after a few years of working at the counter and turning clients down because I had to work on weekends. I had a dream of going on location to provide services for my clients. Any time I wasn’t working at the make-up counters, I’d book weddings and special event make-up applications and travel to the client. The demand became greater after a few years and I started the company Makeit-up, makeup artist on location. Business picked up and I began to travel to different cities (Houston, Austin, Tyler and even my home town Port Arthur TX) even Louisiana. People started asking will you show me how to apply my make-up? of course I will (smile) In 2003, I moved to Houston and continued traveling doing make-up. In 2005, I began Esthetics school (Institute of Cosmetology & Esthetics) to become a licensed skin care specialist. In the state of Texas, I didn’t have to be licensed to do make-up at the counter but I wanted more, I wanted to give my clients educated information about their skin and the products I used. I made my way back to North Texas and today I continue to meet the need of my clients even traveling coast to coast (NY & CA) to my clients offering make-up applications and specialty skin care treatments. I love doing Makeup 101 classes, ladies night out parties, prom or flying out to “makeit-up” for the red carpet. I simply love and enjoy what I do!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No. In 2003, the move to Houston was a struggle from the first week of the move I’d moved because I was getting engaged and let’s just say I’m still single. I thought I was moving for a better career opportunity as well as personal. However, it was slow moving, business was different in the Houston market and I was starting to think what am I supposed to be doing and one night I was cleaning the counter and all I could hear was Esthetics School. I called my then fiancé’ asked him to pray first before he called me back was the message I left. We discussed me attending Esthetics school and that’s what I did. I began going to school full time 8a-5p and working 5:30p-10p. It was the hardest thing I’d ever done. Little to no sleep because I had to study at some point. Life happened and my engagement was cancelled and I had to quit school, I was on auto pilot trying to get school paid off and trying to work full time and school full time (crazy) long story short in 2006 the opportunity to move back to Dallas to partner with a family friend to manage/run a Salon and I thought it was perfect; thinking I could offer clients a location to come for make-up services and finally get my license. I was so busy managing the day to day busyness of the Salon, I almost lost it all. I felt like a rat race day in and out. The Salon closed in 2008 and it was like why did I wait so long to leave. My original idea of going on location to my client was back in effect; Make It Up started picking up and I haven’t looked back. There’s always something to distract you when you have a strong purpose and mine is encouraging women to “makeit-up” redefining the excellence of inner and outer beauty is my purpose.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Make It Up – what should we know?
Small business with 5-star service at your door or whatever venue/location you need us. Make It Up offers make-up applications, Eyelash enhancements tabs or eyelash extensions, makeup 101 sessions as well as Deep cleansing facials, face & body waxing. Our makeup application has a flawless finish and we’ll have you TV or Camera ready without an overly made up look. What sets us apart in an industry that can be so fickle we have integrity and we will honor our word as well our written agreement to be there on time and for full time we agreed.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Mom for always being an ear and financial support when she can, investing in me from the beginning. One of my biggest cheerleaders/advocates/supporters is my best friend Natasha Greene as well as one of my clients Natosha Dooling who fly me where ever she is, once she was scheduled to do the Katie Couric show and would not book her date until I was available to do her make-up. Whitney Washington is one of my men-tees/teammates, we partner for large events and although she’s doing well in her career she will refers people to me when she’s not available and I do the same for her. One of my first mentors former MAC, Artist Training and Development Matthew Arbogast, Matthew encouraged me to go with what I know, don’t be afraid to try new techniques. Matthew reminded me it’s makeup, it goes on and it comes off. I love him. My other mentor is my aunt Norma Jones as a youth I would go to work with her during the summer and she was attending night school to get her degree. She also helped her husband with the family business. reminding me hard work is worth it, when you believe in what you want to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.makeit-up.com
- Phone: 469-766-3316
- Email: timberly@makeit-up.com
- Instagram: timberlymiu
- Facebook: facebook.com/timberly.miu
- Twitter: timberlymiu
Image Credit:
Nelson Photography of Houston TX
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