Send us a text
Watch the Video Podcast of this episode on Youtube!
What if you could balance a full-time career and a thriving side hustle without losing your mind? Our latest episode of "Hair What I'm Saying" answers this question with the incredible story of Raven Cornwall. Raven juggles a demanding job at a financial firm while running a successful bridal makeup business. She shares her game-changing strategies for time management, leveraging PTO and sick time, and utilizing HoneyBook for seamless client communication. Hear firsthand about the personal sacrifices and meticulous planning required to maintain this dual career path and the organizational skills that make it all possible.
We also dive into the crucial intersection of financial stability and entrepreneurial dreams. Raven emphasizes the importance of financial preparedness, including effective debt management, before transitioning to full-time self-employment. Her background in finance has been pivotal in her business planning, proving that financial literacy is key for any successful entrepreneur. Our conversation sheds light on the stark realities of entrepreneurship, contrasting the allure of social media platforms like TikTok with the continuous effort required to sustain a business. Discover why entrepreneurship might not be everyone's cup of tea and the long-term planning it demands.
In the final segment, Raven opens up about building confidence through continuous learning and the use of automation tools to streamline her business. She recounts the transformative impact of virtual artistry classes and masterclasses with top-tier artists. Learn why setting boundaries, particularly around pricing, is essential for avoiding problematic clients and maintaining self-respect. Plus, we delve into the personal rewards of self-employment and Raven's journey from a reserved financial employee to a confident makeup artist. This episode is packed with practical advice, inspiration, and the importance of setting long-term goals in the beauty industry. Don't miss out on Raven’s invaluable insights for aspiring makeup artists.
Stay connected with Raven Cornwall by checking out her website and following her social media accounts below:
-Visit Raven Cornwall's Website for makeup services or to view her gallery of beautifu
Support the show
Do you have a story to share that’s worth our listeners hearing, please fill out the Listener Letters Form and tell us your story! We would love to hear from you!
Don't forget to follow Kinetra on Instagram @_hairwhatimsaying_ and check out her website Hair What I'm Saying for more.
Please leave a review and rate the show. Let us know how we are doing!
🎥Create Viral Clips with Opus Clips
Support the Hair What I’m Saying Podcast
If this podcast has ever made you feel seen, inspired, or helped you better understand your hair, please consider supporting it. Every single donation; no matter the size, makes a difference and helps me continue creating meaningful conversations and sharing real solutions for your hair journey.
💛 From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of this community.
buymeacoffee.com/hairwhatimsaying
where we explore the dynamicintersection of entrepreneurship
and traditional careers.
I'm your host, Kenetra Stewart,and today we have the pleasure
of speaking with the talentedRaven Cornwall.
Raven's journey is afascinating example of how to
successfully juggle a full-timejob while nurturing a passion
project on the side.
(00:24):
We'll dive into her experiencesmanaging the balance between
her 9-5 career and her makeupartistry business, explore the
mindset shifts required to wearmultiple hats and discuss the
impact of social medianarratives on our professional
lives.
So, whether you'recontemplating a side hustle or
trying to find harmony betweenyour various roles, stay tuned
(00:47):
for some valuable insights.
Welcome to the Hair what I'mSaying podcast.
I'm your host, Kenetra Stewart.
Today we have Raven CornwallBeauty joining us.
How are you, Raven?
I'm good, Kenetra, how youdoing?
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Girl.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
I'm good, I'm feeling
good, feeling great.
It's a good day.
Yes, beautiful outside it is.
It is I'm ready for the fall,absolutely my favorite time of
the year for sure.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Yes, thanks, so Raven
how do you manage the balance
between your full time job andyour entrepreneur venture as a
makeup artist?
So right now I've been managing.
Well, I work full time at afinancial firm, so you know when
(01:35):
.
I have an opportunity that comesup.
I use my PTO or sick time to,you know, be able to focus more
on my business, because that'swhat I want to do Eventually,
eventually, full time.
So I told myself this year thatI'm no longer turning down any
(01:59):
opportunities because of acorporation that I work for,
that myself and my business isgoing to come first.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Absolutely, I agree,
especially if you know that's
the overall long term goal.
Yes, what about like?
Do you use any specific apps?
Like, I think it's like amotion app in order to like
delegate through all theresponsibilities of balancing
between the entrepreneur job andalso your, you know, nine to
five.
(02:28):
Yes, so I use.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
HoneyBook.
Ok, we have the CRM systems andthat has helped me tremendously
throughout being a makeupartist.
So, like, when I get inquiries,my honey book automatically
sends a response back and then,once I view over the inquiry,
that's when I email the brideand our client.
(02:54):
I mainly focus on bridal makeup.
So the bride I email her backwithin 24 to 48 hours.
I email her back within 24 to48 hours.
So basically, when I'm at workon my 9 to 5 and I get off of
work, I'm back on the computer.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
So it's like from one
job to the next job?
Yes, okay.
So do you have any free time atyour 9 to 5 to do any business
you know for your entrepreneurjob at all?
Speaker 2 (03:23):
No, so it's pretty
busy.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Yes, it's busy.
What your nine-to-five job isit?
When you clock in you at workand when you clock out you off
work?
Yes, okay, that's good.
So that, do you feel like thatalso play a role in helping you
balance, so that work doesn'toverflow from your nine-to-five
at home?
Speaker 2 (03:40):
yes, yes, that does
help.
Um, I'm not supposed to workfrom like do anything once I'm
out of the office.
I'm out of the office.
Yes, so I do not play no games.
Five o'clock come I am out thezone good not talk to me because
(04:01):
I am out the zone.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Okay, so do you get?
So?
You say you mostly focus onbrides.
Yes, so is the demand high?
Or you feel like it's at acomfortable pace right now,
where you do have an opportunityto like juggle between the two
jobs?
Speaker 2 (04:18):
I feel like right now
it's at a comfortable pace,
because I do get a lot ofinquiries, a lot, lot of
inquiries, but a lot of thoseinquiries do not reply back um
so yeah, you mean it don't replyback.
Oh, like, oh, they don't replyokay, so once I initiate a
conversation and um and and tryto book like a bridal
(04:42):
consultation to just meet thebride and see what her wedding
vision is and just to learn moreabout what she's looking for
yeah, so it's.
Sometimes I get a response back.
Sometimes.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
I don't Got you, ok,
yes, so.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
But it's very
manageable right now.
I just what really has helpedme I've taken bridal classes, so
that's really helped me withmaking sure I am communicating
with potential brides.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
OK, so do you feel
like those classes?
They teach organization skillsas well, like time management.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Just in case you know
, you are, you know, in a
situation like you, Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Okay, and it has
helped tremendously.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Like and what like.
What are some of thoseresources that you know they
offer in these classes, or somethat you, you know, adapted into
your own life, where it's like,okay, this is what works for me
, I'm able to stay on task, I'mable to stay on schedule and
also have, you know, even yourpersonal time, you know, because
(05:54):
two jobs and then also sometime for yourself, right?
So how do you feel like?
Do you feel like you're stilllearning how to manage all of
that, or do you feel like, sofar, I have a really good, um,
like a really good hold onthings?
Speaker 2 (06:09):
I feel like I'm still
learning how to manage
everything.
My boyfriend complains that I'mon my laptop a lot uh-huh, yeah
, because I can.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
I feel like it's so
it was.
It's really hard to balance itall.
Yeah, you know if you you canget it done, but it like it's so
, it was it's really hard tobalance it all.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Yeah, it is.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
You know you can get
it done, but it's just so
challenging.
Yes, it is very challenging.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
So he complained yes,
he complained.
I'm like I'm trying to quit myfull-time job and this is what
it's going to be like.
If you're going to be anentrepreneur, you got to,
especially with with me, I'mlike adamant.
I do not want to work anine-to-five yeah so I'm like
always on my laptop.
(06:54):
I gotta create timelines for mybrides, I gotta send those
timelines out.
I gotta connect with theplanners.
I also learned in those classesthat um connecting with the
photographer as well, you know,letting them know what the
timeline is, and before lastyear I would, all I was doing
was sending out timelines to thebride, you know, and not really
(07:17):
connecting with the planner andthe photographer.
So I just learned so much thisyear.
So you were building your owntimeline.
Yeah, I built my own timeline.
Oh, wow, I still build my owntimeline.
I think the only time I didn'tbuild a timeline is when I
worked with one particularplanner and she built the
(07:38):
timeline.
Yeah, and it was only twopeople.
Oh, okay, but yes, I built thetimeline.
I have a wedding tomorrow and Ibuilt the timeline for all 13
bridal party members.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Yeah, well, and it
was challenging we talked about
that outside of here, yeah, butthat's a lot of people to manage
throughout the day, you know.
So I'm sure that was prettychallenging, I guess.
Um, you know, carla and I we'vedone a podcast, you know, and
we discuss timelines and wenever built our own timelines,
(08:15):
really, we never did.
And so whenever we werepresented to build our own
timelines, we had all type ofquestion marks around our heads
Like, well, I guess for us, wedon't know the flow of the day,
so it's like okay, if I'minserting myself at 8 am, what
are they doing at 8 am?
Right?
So that's why we never built it.
What we would do was give themthe amount of time that we
(08:40):
needed per person, and then theywould just squeeze us in the
timeline.
Because we didn't know how theflow of the day was gonna be so
that's why we was like sowhenever you know that
particular wedding planner didsend us.
You know like we need thetimeline.
I'm like the timeline yeah, oh,yeah, but.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
I'm learning some do
it some don't I like create my
own timeline, because I am notno 45 minute makeup artist.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Yeah so.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Yeah, I like to put
in because I know how long it's
going to take me.
Yeah, so I like to be incontrol of the timeline.
So that's why I just reach outto the planner or the
photographer to see what theirtimeline is like.
When pictures are going tostart, when does the planner
need everybody ready, likethings like that, and you just
(09:33):
kind of backtrack from that.
Yeah, okay, and I keep my notes.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Okay, yes, Well, what
motivated you to start your
makeup business while stillmaintaining your full time
career?
Speaker 2 (09:47):
OK, this is going to
be a little deep but OK.
So I've worked in the financialindustry ever since I was in
high school because I alwayswanted to follow in the
footsteps of my mom OK, she,she's a manager for Well, she's
now like higher up in thebanking industry and I always
(10:08):
wanted to follow those footstepsand stay in the financial
industry because I like it.
I learn so much.
So you like math?
No, I do a lot of customerservice oh my God no.
Yeah, no, let me clear that up.
Let me clear that up.
I do a lot of customer serviceoh my god no let me clear that
(10:28):
up.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
No, thank you, I am
not good at math.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
I'm good at customer
service.
I'm good at administrative workgot you, and so that part of
the job like working where Iwork now it really also is
helping me with theadministrative part of being a
makeup artist.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
I love that, okay,
and also the customer service
too.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
Right, yeah, so um, I
just I've been at banks, I've,
and now I'm at a financial firmworking for a financial advisor
and I just it's like I'm justnever satisfied, I'm not happy
where I'm at.
So I really like, when I firststarted working where I work now
(11:19):
, I was like I'm gonna retirefrom here, I'm gonna do makeup
as a hobby.
But then when I got into it andstarted experiencing some
issues with people that I workwith and I just prayed and I
just asked God like why is itthat I'm never satisfied when it
comes to being at you workingfor a company, working for
(11:44):
someone, and when I go and domakeup, I'm happy on myself.
Everybody around me is positive, yeah, for sure.
So God basically just told me,like because I'm not living out
my calling and I'm just that's,I'm never going to be satisfied
until I'm fully living mycalling, absolutely so.
(12:07):
And and that's what, that'swhat really drove me to really
push myself to actually do thislike full time and get out of
the corporate America.
So that is my goal is to getout of corporate America.
Yeah, focus on my business fulltime.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
I really do believe,
like you know, like working at a
financial, financialinstitution, I mean it's a great
job, you know, providestability, security, Right, and
things of that nature.
But I'm like, if you are acreator and you have a skill set
, yeah, I'm like, why would yousleep on it, right you know, and
go work for a corporation,right, you know?
(12:47):
I feel like if you have a gift,then God has blessed you with
that gift to share witheverybody.
So, yeah, I think that's veryadmirable that you stepped into
that.
And you tapped into that andyou was like, yeah, I'm going to
leave this.
Yeah, so do you have a timelineon when you want to leave your
nine to five and pursueentrepreneurship full time?
Speaker 2 (13:10):
So I don't have a
timeline, which I was just
telling my mom.
I was like I just need to walkout on faith, because every
person that I've interacted with, like a makeup artist, a
hairstylist, they literally justwalked out on faith.
And they got over that fear andonce they did that, you know
(13:33):
they just took off.
Their business took off becausethey trusted God and walked out
.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
And.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
I really I need to do
that, but I got a lot of debt
right now.
I got credit cards.
I need to pay off.
Yeah Listen, don really I needto do that, but I got a lot of
debt right now.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
I got credit cards I
need to pay.
Yeah, listen, don't.
I highly advise, stay at that.
Nine to five, take care of them.
Bills yes, before you enterentrepreneurship, because you
know it costs money.
In order to start the businessyes, you don't want to keep
putting yourself in debt.
Right, you know trying to startthe business, you know there
(14:05):
are ways that you can get grantsand things of that nature.
You know.
But you know what you need todo in order to make it work for
you.
And everybody's story is sounique.
Everyone's journey to start isjust so unique.
So, as long as you know you'regood to go, you know, being
aware is like the number onething.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Yes, because I can't
go up in there and be like I'm
about to leave today, right?
And then I got some billscoming up.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
No, you cannot and we
are highly advising y'all to
not do that.
Yes, do not do that.
If you got debt, take care ofyour debt or at least get it
down to a comfortable numberthat you can juggle and make
sure y'all are.
You know that's a whole notherpodcast Investing into these,
(14:51):
you know, high yield savingsaccounts.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
Get your we're not
going to go there.
Yeah, that's a whole notherpodcast.
That's a whole nother podcast.
Look, I do this, I do that jobMonday through Friday, and
that's why I feel like you beinginvolved in a financial
corporation, you know.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
You know, in a
financial institution, it's
gonna help you on the financialaspect of your entrepreneur
business.
Because I feel as though whenwe, as artists, embark on this
new journey, that's where wesuffer the most.
Right, because we're focused onbeing a creator.
We're only taught to becreators.
No one is teaching us financialhealth and stability for your
(15:29):
business.
You know, it's like oh, I gotmoney coming in tomorrow because
I'm making money tomorrow, soI'm gonna go spend this money.
But it's like, if you'respending, you're not making
anything, you know.
So another podcast, all right,girl.
So there's a strong narrativeon social media pushing people
(15:50):
to leave their nine-to-five jobsto pursue entrepreneurship
full-time.
How do you feel about this,especially since you, you know,
are doing both like?
Do you feel like this is foreveryone?
Speaker 2 (16:01):
um, I don't.
I don't think it.
It may not be for everyone.
I feel like people should, um,educate themselves, um, and take
classes and make sure that youknow you're.
You're taking marketing classes.
Yes, um, because it is not easy.
Even financial literacy classes.
(16:22):
Financial literacy classes,like it's just not easy.
Um, being an entrepreneur Iwish it was, but it's not.
It's a lot of learning andbuilding your clientele, making
sure you have a steady clienteleand like if something like the
pandemic happens failing tosuccess, like literally.
Speaker 1 (16:42):
It's like failure to
success.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Yeah, so you just got
to make sure you have you know
plans.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Yeah, plans For sure,
for sure, yeah.
So do you feel as though socialmedia is like pushing this
narrative on everyone, like, oh,you need to quit your nine to
five and you need to be anentrepreneur and you need to be
making your own money?
Speaker 2 (17:04):
And do you feel like
yeah, yeah, I see it a lot,
especially on TikTok, becauseI'm a TikTok girly, so I do see
it a lot where I see peoplequitting their corporate jobs to
do what you know, what theylove to do, which is fine,
perfectly fine.
They're ready for that.
But you can't push that on toothers if they're not fully
(17:27):
ready, right, um, but it can bemotivating exactly, yes, very
motivating.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
And they have a good
way of like influencing, right,
you know, people who probablyshouldn't be stepping into the
entrepreneurial world.
You know, they have a reallygreat way of like pushing that
narrative, like it's foreveryone and it's not for
everyone, you know, um, and alsojust for like, social media and
its influences can really steerpeople away from what they are
(17:59):
authentically supposed to bedoing.
Yeah, you know so.
So I do feel as though, as well, like you, they are pushing the
narrative like so many peopleare pushing.
Oh, you need to become anentrepreneur, you know, and I'm
like, yeah, but when you becomean entrepreneur, sometimes that
means you're never off.
Yeah, at least with a nine tofive, like you say, when you
(18:22):
clock in, you're at work andwhen you clock out, you're out
of work.
You know, and that's not thecase for entrepreneurs, right,
we are working around the clock,yeah, which is why, with your
boyfriend, he like girl thelaptop please, you know, yes,
give me something.
Yeah, yeah, why do you do you?
Why do you feel like there isthis strong narrative being
(18:43):
pushed Like why do you have a?
Why?
Speaker 2 (18:48):
I do not know.
I'm not about to be pushingpeople to do something that you
know they're not ready to do, orI'm just not one of those type
of people, so I don't.
I don't understand thenarrative, and then I mean
people do need to work, we doneed businesses to go to Right,
(19:10):
because it's like, if we're allentrepreneurs, who the heck
gonna?
Speaker 1 (19:13):
be, Right, like we
can't all be entrepreneurs.
Exactly, exactly, what is themotive behind pushing
entrepreneurship on everyone?
You know I speak to veteransthat are, you know, entrepreneur
veterans and they wish theywould have done it the other way
(19:34):
.
You know, like, kind of like,what you're doing, yeah, okay,
establishing that security first, instead of just embarking on a
journey with no plan, noinsights, you know, just not
taking classes, like you'reinvesting in classes and they
wish they would have done itthat way.
And then some are like I wish Iwouldn't have done it at all.
Yeah, you know, so it's likeit's not something that you push
(19:56):
on everybody.
It's a certain personalitytrait that comes with being an
entrepreneur and you really haveto have some tough skin and
please do.
And you have to accept defeatand welcome it and embrace it.
You're constantly going to bedefeated.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
That's for sure, and
it is challenging.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
It's very challenging
.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
Yes, I've came across
so much things and I'm like how
do I handle this situation?
I never thought I would comeacross certain situations.
And what type of situations Umwith my business, just basically
(20:40):
standing on business, like Ihave to advocate for myself
because it's my business.
That's right, let's talk aboutthat.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Like advocating for
yourself and you don't have a
boss to report to when somethinghas escalated right.
Yes, so have you ever faced achallenging situation and you
had to find ways to de-escalatethe situation in your
entrepreneur job, and did youuse some of the situations from
(21:08):
your corporate job and youadapted those ways that you
learned from that job into yourmakeup business?
Speaker 2 (21:18):
I would say with I
haven't't experienced.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
Luckily, all of my
clients have been great positive
and great you must have a greatscreening process I had to
learn I.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
I haven't had any
difficult clients um as of yet
um, but there has beensituations that have came about
to where I had to figure out howto communicate it with a client
um so that it doesn't come offas um like I don't want to do
(22:00):
something for them, but it'slike maybe something that
they're asking outside of theboundaries of your business.
Speaker 1 (22:05):
Yeah, okay yes.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
So, um, like, for
instance, I get a lot of, you
know, clients that do ask about,they question my prices, and
don't y'all and my price is myprice.
You know, um, there's a certainclientele that I aspire to
reach and I feel like that's theclientele that's really gonna
(22:30):
help me get out of being afull-time worker, absolutely,
and being able to have abusiness and build a legacy for
my family.
So there's no negotiation whenit comes to my price.
Either you can afford it or youknow I can refer you to another
makeup artist that may bewithin your budget and stop
(22:53):
forcing a fit, because it's okay, like sometimes it's even
something all the way down tothe price, and we'll let you
know.
Speaker 1 (23:01):
this is just not your
client.
You know, exactly, and we allhave to.
You know that's a boundary weall need to keep in our business
is we don't negotiate price.
This is a price and this isjust what it is, and I feel like
that's how you dounintentionally invite
(23:23):
problematic clients.
Because you were never a fitand you're trying to make them
your fit.
And that's probably why, so far,you have had a great experience
with your clientele, becauseyou're not forcing a fit.
If it work, it work, and if itdon't, it don't.
And my only reasoning forthinking or believing these
(23:45):
individuals will push theboundary yes, it's because they
have done it before and itworked.
People only do what works forthem, right, right right, all
money is not good money, thanks,okay so in your opinion?
(24:09):
Why do you believe influencershave more followers than us?
Pro artists?
Speaker 2 (24:17):
because they post
every day.
Let me get a sip artist,because they post every day.
Let me get a sip.
I'm gonna.
What'd you say, girl?
Influencers post every singleday.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
Consistently.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
Oh, consistently.
Speaker 1 (24:37):
I wish I had it in me
, but you also have your 9 to 5.
Exactly, and your daughter?
You know you have otherobligations.
Yes, you know, and I feel likesocial media that's another
unhealthy influence that theypush on influencers, artists,
lifestyle bloggers, whoever it'slike you need to be posting
(24:59):
every day.
You know multiple times, youknow right and um and that's not
healthy right, I cannot affordto be on your app if I want some
personal, real time, likethat's another thing I don't
like about social media.
You know, I always tell peopleif I have something to say to
you, I'll post.
If I have something I want toshare, I'll post.
Right, I'm not going to beposting just because somebody
(25:19):
told if I have something I wantto share, I'll post.
I'm not going to be postingjust because somebody told me
that's what I need to do inorder to gain following.
Whoever's supposed to befollowing, whoever find me,
those are my people, right,exactly, I will not be pressured
into you know, doing thingsthat I feel this, I'm spending
(25:40):
too much time on this andcreating the content is enough
time that we and then you wantme to create the caption.
It's too much.
That's a whole nother job.
Seo oh, I know I learned so muchabout SEO this year Search
engine optimization, and reallythat's what we need to focus on
(26:02):
more than social media.
I've heard so much about SEO.
Yes, you know like Searchengine optimization is, and
really that's what we need tofocus on, more than social media
.
We need to be focusing on ourwebsites Because, you know,
instagram will crash any minute.
Yep, like I think it happenedwith like two months ago.
It just unintentionally crashed, yeah.
So if that's your only way ofmarketing to your clients, if
they crash for good, what areyou going to do?
How are they going to find you?
You know, so they have more timethan us to post consistently.
(26:28):
Yes, and what else Do you haveany?
Speaker 2 (26:33):
other reasons and I
just feel like they're because
they have so much time.
They have time to keep up withall the changes with the
algorithm, because it's just alot you know.
And but yeah, I just feel like,with their consistency, they,
(26:59):
they just and they attractbecause they post consistently,
yeah, they attract brands andthat's that's their job, like
content creation is their job.
So, um, I just feel like I meanI'm more power to the
influencers because they, they,they know how to influence these
clients.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
Now, all the bad ways
they, they know how to bring it
in.
Yes, they do.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
I wish I knew what
they was doing.
Speaker 1 (27:25):
I have noticed like a
lot of them will tag those
brands whenever they are likeusing their products.
They tag them a lot, and Ibelieve that also gains exposure
for them as well.
You know, so that these brandsare reaching out and trying to
collaborate with them too, youknow, and some of them do have
(27:45):
other jobs too.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
Yes, I did notice
that some of them do have other
jobs and for them to get offtheir job and go and have a
camera in their face and do awhole routine of how they do
their makeup.
Speaker 1 (27:59):
Yeah, that's a
balance too.
I don't know how they'rebalancing all of that, because I
couldn do their makeup.
Yeah, that's a balance too.
Yeah, how they balancing all ofthat, because I couldn't do it.
Yeah, do you also feel asthough they also have more
following because they may bemore relatable to the masters?
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Yeah, yeah, right
yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
Because I feel like
sometimes they can probably get
lost in translation with ourprofessional terminology.
Speaker 2 (28:18):
Right, you know what
I'm saying?
Speaker 1 (28:20):
Yes, and they can
probably get lost in translation
with our professionalterminology, right?
You know what I'm saying?
Yes, and with them they cantalk, like how the other person
needs to hear it you know versusus?
we might.
If I'm talking about layers ofa hair strand and you know, most
of us are familiar with cuticlebut not medullary cortex, and
if I speak in that terminology,I'm like girl, I don't know what
she's talking about, right, youknow?
Moving on, so I do wonder ifit's also because maybe they are
(28:43):
more relatable to the massesopposed to us.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
Yeah, and they can
get free makeup lessons from a
content creator.
I just watched a contentcreator this morning and she did
her whole makeup routine, whichit was sure it was like cut in
pieces, you know, but sheliterally like what primer, uh,
foundation?
(29:08):
But all of those steps don'twork for everybody.
Speaker 1 (29:11):
I was gonna say that
I was gonna say but it might
work for her but not foreveryone.
But I guess she's laying thefoundation Right, like this is
what you need to complete a look, but not necessarily Nell your
look, right.
I do appreciate the contentcreators that say this is what
works for me, right, but notnecessarily is going to work for
you.
Yes, you know, they all need toput that disclaimer out there.
(29:33):
Like it works for me, but maybenot for you, not for you?
Speaker 2 (29:36):
Yeah, exactly, not
for you.
Yeah, exactly, because a lot ofpeople, because they're
influencers, a lot of peoplebelieve that whatever they see
their their favorite influencerdoing, that is going to work for
them when it does it.
Speaker 1 (29:49):
Yeah, that's true.
That's true.
What are some of the?
Speaker 2 (29:58):
biggest challenges
you face in your full time job
that are different from those inyour makeup business.
So the challenges that I facein my full-time job is working
with the elderly.
When are they going to retirethese baby boomers?
The elderly, the elderly, theelderly?
Speaker 1 (30:22):
So give us some
examples like two Okay.
Speaker 2 (30:26):
So one they're stuck
in their own ways.
Number two, the biggest one, isthat they don't adapt to change
.
So in the industry workingfinancial industry there's
always changes.
There's always changes to thesystem and we're in 2024.
(30:47):
They're upgrading so much andwhen you're just stuck in your
own ways and you block out, whensomeone's trying to tell you an
easier way, how to do thingsand you block it out like as if
I don't know what I'm talkingabout, it just it makes me
(31:08):
uncomfortable to work with you.
Yeah, you are blocking me out.
So when you come and ask me aquestion, yeah, you need answer
to.
Speaker 1 (31:18):
I'm like you don't
want to cooperate.
Speaker 2 (31:26):
No, like I'll be
dealing with some food you don't
want to cooperate.
Speaker 1 (31:29):
So basically, they're
stuck in their ways and they
don't want.
They're not flexible.
Okay, is it like apps or likewhat are some examples like?
They are just not open towanting to change.
Speaker 2 (31:41):
Just like the
software.
Okay, because the softwareupdates.
You know, for instance, like wehave this new system that we're
now doing like appointments andwe're and we're all learning
how to, how this system worksand how to use it, you know,
(32:02):
efficiently, and they befrustrated and it's like the
first frustrated work.
Speaker 1 (32:09):
Like, since y'all are
learning, are they frustrated
and they don't have patiencewith y'all also learning?
Or is it like they just don'twant to change, or both?
Or is it like they just don'twant to change?
Speaker 2 (32:20):
Or both, both for one
lady.
But my advisor, she's willingto learn, she's open to learn,
she understands that this systemis evolving.
Speaker 1 (32:30):
Yes, so she
understands that.
Speaker 2 (32:33):
But just getting
frustrated and having these
little outbreaks and all thisI'm the type of person Outbreaks
, yes, like this stupid system.
I can't handle this calendar.
Speaker 1 (32:47):
This is craziness,
okay, like girl, omg, put in the
retirement paper, okay, yougoing to have a damn stroke.
Speaker 2 (32:59):
The fuck Gonna have a
stroke over here letting a
system stress you out?
Oh dear God.
Speaker 1 (33:08):
I can't die what you
say, I just have a stroke Girl.
Get with the change and it'sgonna keep evolving and it's
evolving on a faster pace.
We used to have years to get onan accord and now it's just
like every year is somethingdifferent.
It's a new update, it's alwayssomething new always something
(33:28):
new.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
and then, once you
get to a certain age, um, your
attitude changes as well, so youcan tell when you're not happy
to come into work.
You're miserable, and then withyou, bringing that negative
energy into the office thatpasses on other people around
(33:51):
you because that energy is heavy.
Yeah, it is, it's very heavy.
And I'm all about positivevibes, positive energy, positive
people.
I do not Especially at a nineto five yes, when I got to be
with you more than my family.
Speaker 1 (34:08):
Yeah, it's important
and they should also adopt the
same, you know, mindset, becauseif you're here more than you
are at home, like intentionally,make it a point.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
Right to have good
energy, right, good vibes, you
know yes, and I feel like whenyou are a positive person, it
shows in your work as well.
When you're negative, it showsin your work show.
Speaker 1 (34:34):
Yeah, that's true,
that is very, very true.
It's like that law ofattraction thing.
Yes, you know, whatever youattract, you will put out Right,
exactly.
Or whatever you put out, you'regoing to get or attract, you
know Mm-hmm For sure.
So what about the challenges inyour makeup business?
You know, like, what is thedifference in between those two?
Speaker 2 (34:59):
Well, one big
difference is I am my own boss,
so I do not have to answer toanyone.
You know, because I love what Ido, I'm happy.
You know, other than beingwhere I'm at, I'm not happy, I'm
(35:21):
just.
You know, that's just apaycheck, but right now I don't
have any challenges.
But in the past I did have somechallenges and because I've
taken courses, and even takenclasses to where I've improved
my artistry, like practicalskill set wise, yes, skill set
(35:44):
wise, because trends, you knowhow you do, the structure of the
like, the foundation of themakeup, like it all has changed
over the years.
Speaker 1 (35:55):
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (35:56):
So I invested in
taking artistry classes and
getting my confidence up becausethat, you know, as a
professional artist, I foundmyself in the past comparing my
work to other makeup artists andthinking that I wasn't good
enough.
So I, you know, I had to getout of that space.
(36:19):
I, you know, I had to get outof that space.
Yeah, and so I started takingartistry classes to you know
what's the word To like.
Enhance your skill set.
Yes, Enhance my skill set andbe more confident as a makeup
artist.
(36:41):
Because if you're not confidentas a makeup artist, you really
aren't going to go's gonna show.
Yes, it's gonna show you.
And I can go back and look atmy work from last year, early
last year, to now and I'm like,wow, yeah, a major difference
yeah, yes, are these classes inperson or virtual?
Speaker 1 (36:58):
virtual, okay, okay.
Speaker 2 (37:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
So even the practical
classes?
Yeah, that's amazing.
Yeah, because your artistry isreally impressive.
For it to be virtual only yeah,oh my goodness, I would have
never thought that all of thishas been virtual training.
Yes, so when you first startedoff, you just went by what you
naturally know.
Speaker 2 (37:24):
Yes, because.
Speaker 1 (37:25):
I graduated from.
Youtube University.
Okay, it's okay.
Okay, I feel like most makeupartists kind of start there a
little bit, you know, opposed tohairstylists, right, you know?
Um, I feel like most makeupartists do start there.
Speaker 2 (37:37):
Yeah, just watching
YouTube videos.
And then I went to I went toRitty Vasquez and Sam Fine's
masterclass.
Oh, yeah, yeah, okay, that wasa game changer right there.
In what ways?
Oh, my gosh, just like watchingboth of them apply their makeup
(37:59):
application and how it just itlike.
It's just like skin, you know,it's not heavy once they put it
on the model's face, it justlike blended into her skin.
And that that's when I was likeI want my makeup, I want my
models my clients to look likethat.
Speaker 1 (38:21):
That is my skin, is
my thing, yeah I do not, like I
don't do makeup, but baby,please don't I like for my
clients to look like themselves,but just enhance.
Speaker 2 (38:37):
Absolutely, yeah, you
know, but yeah, like just
taking those master classesreally really helped okay so,
basically, you so yourconfidence level.
Speaker 1 (38:52):
Those are some of the
challenges that you face, like
just getting your confidencelevel up, the skill set level
and things like that.
What about any back end?
Did you have any challengeslike running your back end in
the beginning?
Like, did you have to learnthrough experience?
Like, ok, I need to change thisin order for this to Right,
(39:13):
right, yeah, yes, yeah, I feellike that's most of us.
Yeah, like learning throughexperience with with, uh,
clients, like, okay, I neverwant to encounter that situation
, so what can I implement in mybusiness to make sure I ain't
never got to deal with thatagain?
Speaker 2 (39:31):
I have dealt with
some things in the past, even
with like payment wise, gettingcoming from clients and deposits
and things like that, but nowthat I'm I have, I actively use
honey book honey book, andthat's the only software you've
ever used.
Yes, okay, yes, and they sendpayment reminders to my client.
(39:54):
I don't even have to do any ofthat.
So a lot of automation, yes, alot of automations, and that has
really helped me.
And I don't have to um go whenI go to a client, um, like my
honey book reminds them thatthis payment is due um at the
time of the service.
I don't have to be waitingaround for payment after I'm
(40:18):
done, like it's I'm, you know,I'm there and I'm out.
You know, cause.
I already got my payment.
I already got the confirmationfrom HoneyBook that they paid
online.
So that is what I learned a lotbecause I would leave.
I would go and do makeup forpeople and leave with no
payments no, I learned my lesson.
Speaker 1 (40:43):
And then you have to
hunt these people down to get
paid.
They don't want to pay, thennobody wants to pay.
I don't care, nobody's happy togive you that money, you know,
yes, so so, on the flip side,what are like some of the
rewards of becoming a makeupartist?
Speaker 2 (41:03):
um a lot.
You get to work for yourself.
You know you're, you're happybecause opposed to your
full-time job opposed to my fulltime job.
I am more.
I'm just myself.
I can be myself, my true,authentic self.
So you don't feel like you canbe yourself at your nine to five
job.
Hell to the mother, why not?
(41:25):
No, why not?
I need to know, we need to knowLike I am.
I'm, you know a little bit.
Speaker 1 (41:34):
A little, acting A
little acting A little bit.
Speaker 2 (41:38):
You have to tell them
a little acting, but I am quiet
as a peep at work and it's justlike I don't relate.
I can't relate to them.
Speaker 1 (41:45):
Yeah, do you feel
like you're one of the younger
few, or is it more older peoplein your nine to five?
Speaker 2 (41:53):
So in the office I
work with a 73 year old and a 63
year old, and then I'm 34.
Speaker 1 (42:00):
Yes, ma'am, but could
not, could not.
Speaker 2 (42:07):
No, yes, yes.
So I be having gray hairscoming out.
Okay, I be having gray hairscoming out.
Okay, y'all, I be having grayhairs.
Yes, so you're quiet.
I'm quiet because I can't.
I talk, I have conversation,but I can't fully relate and
(42:29):
embrace you.
Yes, and embrace who I am Like.
They know I do makeup and stuff, but they don't know the extent
of.
They probably think it's like ahobby, yeah, yeah, they don't
know that.
It's like like this is a realbusiness that I'm building.
Speaker 1 (42:46):
Yeah, do they ever
ask any questions about it at
all?
Like yeah, yeah, on the surfacelevel.
Speaker 2 (42:52):
Yeah, but I feel like
it's more so questions to see
if I'm going to be staying atthe company or if I'm gonna be
leaving.
You know what I'm saying, liketrying to get a feel, yeah,
trying to, you know, and I'mjust like I answer them.
I'm honest.
Yeah, I'm honest.
(43:13):
I'm going to tell you straightup.
You know, if I get anopportunity to go do some makeup
for Onset or something, I'm outof there.
Peace out.
Speaker 1 (43:26):
Yeah, absolutely, but
you definitely.
If that's the goal to be afull-time entrepreneur makeup
artist then those are some ofthe sacrifices that you just
gotta make.
It do comes.
Entrepreneurship comes with alot of different types of
sacrifices, you know so.
Yeah, Do you ever feel like?
(43:46):
You know, like one role takespriority over the other?
Yes, and how do you manage that?
Speaker 2 (43:55):
Um, I have, yes, and
how do you manage that?
Um, I have to think of ways.
Are you referencing, like, frommy nine to five, to makeup?
Um, I just have to, um, getcreative, get creative and think
of ways to have major jinx youput on yourself.
(44:17):
Yes, yes, All right, look, letme tell y'all, I have no sick
time left and it is September.
Speaker 1 (44:39):
Y'all, this is how
you balance it.
Yes, this is the truth.
Speaker 2 (44:42):
This is the truth.
Speaker 1 (44:43):
Sometimes there is no
formal balance.
Yes, okay, some balances comewith sacrifices.
Speaker 2 (44:50):
Yes, okay, and I am
not a liar, but like I told my
boyfriend.
Speaker 1 (44:55):
I said but it's your
days that you earn to take off.
Yes, you know so.
Speaker 2 (44:59):
I told him.
I said I'm going to do anythingto get where I need to be.
That's right.
And if I got, if I got to do,if I got to tell a little white
lie, dude, it's just going to bea little white lie, not a white
lie, no white lie, little whitelie it's your days.
Speaker 1 (45:25):
You earned it.
Take it off and move on yes,it's a mental health day.
Speaker 2 (45:29):
I'm taking mental
health day.
My mental health can be mentalhealth.
Speaker 1 (45:34):
You know what I'm
saying like exactly it's such a
passion of yours that youactually you know experience
happiness through it, and it isstimulated mentally, right,
let's be honest, it isespecially when you love what
you do.
Yes, you know, so yes it isdefinitely mental health, for me
is if you could give advice tosomeone starting a side business
(45:57):
while working full-time, whatwould it be?
Speaker 2 (46:00):
I would say to them
um, to don't quit your job
unless you fully have a plan onum running a successful business
like you have that mapped out.
But I would say, as a makeupartist, if a makeup artist is
(46:20):
wanting to, like, quit their joband do makeup full time, make
sure that you're building yourportfolio up, getting to know
vendors, networking, networkingand making sure you are
investing in education.
Yeah, marketing, would youadvise that first?
(46:43):
Yes, okay, yes, I would advisethat first I wouldn't do that.
Um, quit and then try to takesome marketing classes and also,
I would let them know, like youneed also, although that you
want to do makeup full-time, youneed another income, so whether
(47:05):
you're opening up a suite andrenting out those stations to
other artists that you know canuse those suites instead of
doing makeup in their home, Likethat's passive income that is
coming into you.
You just got to know whatyou're doing and be confident in
doing it.
Speaker 1 (47:25):
Would you advise them
to do something like that later
though, like once they'veestablished?
Themselves, yeah what about ifthey just wanted to come
straight out of high school anddo makeup?
Speaker 2 (47:35):
Would you advise that
, or would you advise them to
still go get a job and then Iwould say work at a makeup
counter, because that'ssomething that I always wanted
to do.
But my life was different, setup differently.
But, for someone coming out ofhigh school, I would definitely
advise them to work at a SephoraMac store, you know, work at a
(48:00):
makeup counter and be like abeauty advisor for the makeup
counters, because at that ageyou're still staying at home
with your parents, so you shouldbe able to be okay financially
and save your money.
Save your checks that you'regetting from your employer Right
, and in whatever state you'rein because I know that some
(48:23):
States you do have to havelicense to do makeup.
Speaker 1 (48:26):
Right.
Speaker 2 (48:28):
So, whatever state
that you're in, make sure that
you know you.
You gotta take whatever classesto be a licensed makeup artist.
In Texas you don't have to belicensed, but just taking
classes, getting your license,getting your artistry skills up
there, practicing on yourfriends, reaching out to models,
(48:50):
Because models are going towant their makeup done for their
photo shoot so um so, do youadvise whenever they're reaching
out?
Speaker 1 (48:59):
is that complimentary
or yes?
Speaker 2 (49:01):
okay, gotcha yes,
because you're practicing um.
Once you feel like you're upthere in the skill set and you
know you're working um with, youknow really good photographers,
then you know you can um startincluding a rate.
(49:22):
But I feel like when you'refirst starting out it should
just be complimentary um tipsmaybe?
Yes, accept tips and to getyourself really out there.
A lot of work is complimentaryit's an exchange.
You get photos, yeah, um, butyou gotta be mindful of who you
(49:47):
are working with.
Apps 1000, be mindful, becauseI've worked with, I did trade
for pics, photo shoots, andnever received the pictures, or
received about two photos.
Speaker 1 (50:03):
That don't give me,
do you advise them to probably
have like a contract in place,you know saying like if this is
going to be an exchange, youknow this is our agreement, and
that way it's kind of likeupholding them to that.
Yeah, agreement, yeah.
Speaker 2 (50:19):
I would advise that.
I necessarily um, haven't donethat, but I would advise you
more established.
Yeah, yeah, you know, in thebeginning, when you're
vulnerable.
Speaker 1 (50:29):
Oh yeah, I feel like
people do take, you know,
advantage of you because theyknow ultimately you just want to
get your work out there versuswhen you get established.
It's like I want my work outthere, but I definitely want to
get paid.
Now you know, because you aremore confident and you know what
you can provide and what youbring to the table.
Now you know.
Okay, yes, so what are yourlong-term goals for being a
(50:52):
makeup artist?
Since I know this nine to fiveis obviously short-term, what
are the long-term goals forbeing a makeup artist?
Like you know, you're going tostart a school eventually, start
mentoring, like what?
What are your long-term goals?
Definitely not a schoolDefinitely not a mentor.
Speaker 2 (51:10):
I am not a teacher.
I have no patience.
I'm sorry, wait a minute.
You said mentor I am not ateacher.
Speaker 1 (51:18):
I have no patience.
I'm sorry, don't come to mewanting help practice yes, I am,
it's just not in me like atleast you know.
Yeah, there's a lot of peopleteaching and I'm like you
shouldn't be teaching.
Speaker 2 (51:36):
Yeah, like it's just
it's not in me.
But long term, I want to be thebridal makeup artist that black
brides reach out to, here inAustin, to here in austin,
(51:57):
uh-huh, um, I want to be liketheir go-to bridal makeup artist
, because I know it's very hardfor them to find us in the
austin area.
Yes, so, and eventually, like, Iwant to have my own bridal team
of makeup artists.
So, um, when I do have largeparties, I can just have that
team of artists who I reach outto to see if they're available
(52:20):
to work the wedding and then paythem.
So I want to have, like, a teamof women of color.
Um, so I just think that'simportant out here.
Speaker 1 (52:31):
That's what we're
missing, uh-huh heavy, yeah,
lacking in so many different.
You know beauty, you knowspectrums everywhere.
Speaker 2 (52:40):
Hair, makeup, nails,
you know everywhere, yeah and
then I just want to get to thepoint where, um, where I can
have a lead makeup artist and Ino longer have to be the one
going out to the job, workingmore on the back yes, I'll be
more working on the back end,doing the admin and the finances
(53:03):
of the business, so that'sthat's one of my goals.
And then, um, also, I do wantto open up my own suite so I can
rent out those stations, thosestations, yeah.
Speaker 1 (53:17):
I think that's a
great idea yeah, yeah.
If you do decide to pushforward with the team, do you
have like a set timeline thatyou working against, or it's
like right now you're justtrying to still work on, you
know, I guess, grooming andperfecting yourself first?
Speaker 2 (53:40):
Yeah, I'm still
working on grooming and
perfecting myself and I feellike once I do that, then I'll
be more ready to create thatteam.
I'm starting to like I'mwriting things down, but I feel
like I would need to takeleadership classes.
Amen, look, I've worked underso many people that I know what
(54:07):
a good leader is, and what theydon't understand.
It's a skill set, yeah it is,and it's important, um, because
if you're not a good leader,then you are gonna be sol.
People are not gonna want towork for you.
Yeah, that's true.
Um, yeah, and I want to makesure that I'm able, I can pay
(54:27):
artists a good amount, you know,for the jobs that they do,
because I appreciate their work.
Speaker 1 (54:34):
Absolutely.
I love it.
Speaker 2 (54:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (54:37):
Okay.
Well, that wraps up ourconversation.
Raven, thank you so much forallotting some time to spend
with us today.
I really appreciate yourfeedback and all the insightful
information that you providedfor us today.
Please share with our listenerslisteners like your Instagram
handling, your websiteinformation or any type of way
(55:00):
that they can get in contactwith you for makeup inquiries or
advice, and all of the above,okay.
Speaker 2 (55:06):
So I am on Instagram
Raven Cornwall Beauty.
That'sR-A-V-E-N-C-O-R-N-W-v-e-n,
c-o-r-n-w-a-l-l.
Beauty.
People be messing up my lastname.
So bad that's why the?
Ad I am.
That is, my ads on tiktok,instagram and facebook.
(55:32):
My website iswwwravencornwallbeautycom.
All right, well, thank you.
Thank you, it was nice doingthis.
Speaker 1 (55:43):
Absolutely.
We've explored the challengesand rewards of balancing a
full-time job withentrepreneurial aspirations, and
Raven's insights on managingdual roles are truly inspiring.
Thank you, raven, for sharingyour journey with us and
offering such valuableperspectives.
If you enjoyed today's episode,be sure to subscribe, leave a
(56:04):
review and share with anyone whomight find it helpful.
Until next time, this isKenetra Stewart, reminding you
to keep striving.
No-transcript.