Today we’d like to introduce you to Chineye Okukpolor.
Hi Chineye, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
It all started when I was doing my BSC program; towards my final year my friend who was learning makeup used me as her model that was when I fell in love with the craft, I started practicing on my face just to get better at my daily makeup routine, shortly after my BSC program I made the big move from Warri delta state Nigeria to Lekki Lagos Nigeria, got a job in 2014 as an office manager/ sales associate I was sacked after few months ( laughing) that was when I decided to start doing makeup professionally, I got a space at a salon in Lekki phase 1 Lagos Nigeria, I remember I would always do my makeup and go to shops around to drop my business card slowly people started trusting me to do their makeup it got to the point where the salon became too small to accommodate my clients then I decided to rent my own space we started doing hair and makeup I had staffs working for me I did that for 8 years. I feel pregnant in 2020. Unfortunately, my relationship didn’t work out I moved to the United States in 2021, that was definitely the toughest and hardest phase of my life I was heavily pregnant in a new city without my family and also starting my business, not knowing where to start from was hard but after I gave birth to my daughter I got more clarity and I was so motivated to give her a better life she brought so much joy and happiness into my life and I am so forever grateful to God for blessing me with her. God, hard work and consistency brought me this far no is never an option for me, I love my craft so much that it doesn’t look like work anymore I love the art of making people beautiful the look on their faces whenever makeup is done is so fulfilling.
Alright, 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 hasn’t been a smooth sailing there where obstacles for sure, but when you have a vision only you can understand, you stop at nothing to make sure it comes to life, some challenges I experienced was staffing; sometimes, they are not loyal and not accountable, another challenge was power electricity there was no frequent power for effective workflow back in Nigeria, getting makeup products was hard too when I was in Nigeria I would always travel to America, Europe or Dubai to get makeup products.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
People know me as makeupbychinny I’m a makeup artist based in Houston, Texas. I specialize on bridal makeup, birthday makeup, party makeup, photoshoots I also specialize in microblading, microshading, and ombre brows, and I will be launching my makeup line very soon by God’s grace.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
To never give up, trust God, and the process consistency is very important your clients want to know that they can count on you to deliver.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://makeupbychinny.as.me/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/makeupbychinny?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@makeupbychinny?si=sizN6MKaWL6WSv7r
