Today we’d like to introduce you to Elicia Lewis.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Well, I was more of a tomboy at first. I played a variety of sports. When I got to be in about the 7th grade is when I became girly. You know getting more into dressing up and wanting to look cute. I traveled a lot when I was younger because my mom being in the army. So growing up I met a lot of people from different ethnic backgrounds. With me being able to meet different people my style always changed.
My aunt really inspired me growing up. She always kept our hair done and hers. She kept us and herself dressed in the latest best looking fashion. The kind of person who was fearless and didn’t really care what anyone thought about her. If I didn’t learn anything else from her I learned that. I always admired those qualities and wanted to be like her growing up. She was a beautiful women. This is where my infatuation for beauty came from.
It’s kind of an I told you so story on how I got started. Throughout high school I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I was always bored nothing sparked my interest. Going from living amongst different types of people. Then attending high school in a small town. My options and opportunity seemed very limited.
Once I graduated high school I was unsure of what I wanted to go to college for. Originally I just went with getting my Bachelors in Nursing. What interested me the most was helping people. I was always trying to help the people I was around in some way. After the first semester, nursing didn’t feel quite right. My mom told me I wouldn’t like it. I went with it anyway being hard headed and confused. Well she was definitely right! After two years I dropped out of college to pursue my dreams in the beauty industry.
I’ve had many different jobs in between.
I either got fired or quit simple because I knew that wasn’t my calling. My passion was elsewhere. I went back to school. Not traditional school but a trade school to get my esthetician license. Six months later I started pursuing my career in the 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?
It has definitely been a roller coaster of events. I don’t regret none of it. Everything that happened or didn’t happen made me better all around. Deciding to drop out of college was definitely not easy. I struggled with the decision for months. I knew I couldn’t waste anymore time. I had to make something happen! Well after graduating esthetician school I ended up loosing my car and job. Which kind of put a hold on my plans. Well at least thats what I thought. I decided to do makeup at home in the mean time. Once I passed my esthetician licensed test. I put in applications and got hired within two weeks time. I took Uber everyday to work until I was able to get another car. Everything started falling in place. Then unexpectedly I find out I was pregnant. Me becoming a mom was definitely my saving grace.
Beauty Karisma – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My business, I would say is very unique because I specialize in Makeup and Eyelash Extensions. Usually, it’s one or the other when it comes down to those services. The focus is more to enhance your natural beauty!
I’m most proud of the versatility I have with providing those services. I can reach a wide range of people.
What sets Beauty Karisma apart is the quality of service provided. Along with my work ethic, hospitality and price range. Also the standard I set for my business and what it stands for.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Proudest moments would be me actually quitting my most recent job and stepping out on faith. The job was always temporary. I just didn’t know how to go about doing it. I figured there is no wrong or right way to go about following your dreams. So like before I just did it. It takes a lot for a person to quit their job to follow there dreams knowing there’s a lot on the line.
It’s tough knowing you don’t have a 9-5 set paycheck coming in every month. Being an entrepreneur comes with a lot of ups and downs. It take a lot of hard work, motivation, dedication and faith to keep your business thriving. But I love it. I get to be as creative as I want and make my own hours. Which works great with me being a new mom. I mean the possibilities are endless. I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Contact Info:
- Website: Styleseat.com/beautybyleese
- Email: eliciaaa07@gmail.com
- Instagram: @beautybyleese
- Other: YouTube.com/BeautyKarisma
Image Credit:
Always Photogenic Photography
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