Today we’d like to introduce you to Kari Boss.
Kari, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I didn’t always know what I wanted to do when I “grew up” but I always knew I wanted to be an artist. My mom had expectations for me to go to college but I knew that’s not what I wanted to do. I attended some college and after the semester was over, my mom asked if I was going back. I said NO. She said okay well what interests you? I said honestly, makeup. She said okay, figure out how to get into school for that. So, I did. I attended OGLE School of hair, skin and nails. Graduated in 2010 and got my Cosmetologist license in 2011. I did some freelance work and mainly did house calls. I was a traveling artist doing hair color all over the Metroplex. I thought it was so cool how I was working for myself right out of my own car! I carried everything with me! My house call days and client days came to an end about a month, business slowed down for me, so I went back to the corporate office scene to help me get by. What was supposed to be a temporary job turned into 3 years deep in corporate America.
At the end of those 3 years, I was sick of routine. I was sick of doing work that was boring to me. I didn’t want to be a paper pusher anymore, most importantly I didn’t want to work for anyone anymore. I wanted to have fun and I wanted to wake up happy to go to work, also I wanted to be my own BOSS. So I put in my 2 weeks. I decided I wanted to pursue my dream of working for myself doing what I love! Makeup and Hair! (Luckily, I was keeping up with my cosmo license and keeping it renewed 🙏🏻) I worked in a small “Mom n Pop” shop to help me get test the waters out. I was going into this new career, not job, career with old knowledge and I wanted to gain my skill level back up. I lasted a good 2 months at that salon before I was let go. I had just spent all my birthday money on hair and makeup supplies! Surprisingly I wasn’t shook at the idea of being let go. I still had a backup job, thank GOD! (But it was still at a call center for corporate America, but still a job!) to help me for the meantime until I found another salon.
As soon as I got let go from the mom ‘n pop salon, I went home to do my research. I wasn’t upset at me being let go. I knew I’m an adaptable, willing to learn, artist who would be able to get back into the salon to continue on with my new career goal! I came across STUDIO410. I had always passed by this salon and thought oh my gosh this place is beautiful, but never stepped inside. I could tell this place was different and had it’s own style. Kind of like the way I see myself. I knew this was the place for me. I messaged the salon owner Miriam and asked her about starting an apprenticeship. I shortly started at this Bishop Arts District salon and fell in love! Working both the apprenticeship and call center job was challenging! I had to hustle back and forth to both. I was exhausted but the grind don’t stop! I took my apprenticeship very seriously, learning different techniques and formulas from all the talented artists in the salon. After a couple of months, I gained my skill level up and decided to quit the call center job and become an artist full time! It’s been a good almost 3 complete years, going on 4! Time flies when you’re having fun! I wake up everyday blessed and excited knowing I’m going into work to have fun, create art alongside fellow Boss Babes and fueling my passion for art in this beauty industry!
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?
The road to success is never a smooth one! There are struggles and obstacles always. Some of these struggles included slow seasons, which brings money issues. My best advice on this obstacle, save your money!!! Save as much as you can. The slow seasons are no joke! Saving isn’t fun but you’ll be glad you did. Don’t ever stop learning! Knowledge is power! This industry is always changing and moving fast! (That’s what we love about it right? I love the thrill of the ever changing trends!) Do your research! Learn new products! Learn new techniques! The more you know the more you grow! (That’s in every aspect 😉) What also comes along this road is competing artists from all over the metroplex! The beauty industry is heavily saturated. And just seems like it’s contining to grow, which is awesome, but can slow some business for other artists. I say do collabs as often as possible! There’s enough work for everyone and as long as we stick together we can make endless art! Don’t be afraid to reach out and network with other artists. But keep in mind everyone is not your friend, even if they seem like they are! Business is business. Build relationships with the people who bring good positive vibes and energy and who are passionate about what they do! Stay focused on your end goal, your passion is your fuel and your plan to get there is your map along this road to success! The only one who can get you there is YOU!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about karihairandmakeup – what should we know?
I specialize in makeup and fashion hair colors!
I originally came into this industry to learn makeup. I enrolled in the cosmo program and once I saw the fashion colors, I knew that’s what I wanted to specialize in! I love fun bright colors! I’m an artist at heart and love pigment and creating colorful blends on both face and hair canvases!
What sets me apart from others is I customize everything needed to create your desired. I custom create tones targeted specifically for you and your needs/wants/undertones in both makeup and hair! Everyone is made different. No 2 people are the same. When I think of going to go get my hair and makeup done, I would want someone to customize my makeup application/fashion colors to not only give me what I want, but I want to be wowed and feel my absolute BEST! When you feel your best that’s when you look your best! Beauty is from within! It’s only right I try to create the same vibe for my clients! I’m a Boss Glam Queen and I need to clients to feel Boss Glammed right along with me!
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
I feel like women are well positioned to do anything they set their mind to. Gender roles are so decades ago! In this day and age, we have many opportunities sitting in our palms. Seriously we carry the world in our hands (in reference to our phones) and there are no limits to what we can achieve. The only thing stopping you from reaching your goals and dreams is you! If there are no opportunities coming your way, MAKE THEM! Women have come way up from the gender roles we were “placed” in years ago. It’s time for us all to break through the stereotypes and barriers and pursue the goals/dreams/lives we want to live! The future is female!
Pricing:
- Natural Glam $70
- Full Face Glam $80
Contact Info:
- Phone: (469)401-8739
- Email: karihairandmakeuptx@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/karihairandmakeup
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/karihandm/
- Twitter: Twitter.com/karibossbeauty
- Other: Instagram.com/karibosstx
Image Credit:
Mimibeautytx, Houseoflunit
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