Today we’d like to introduce you to Mekhi Ates
Hi Mekhi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
So I was in my last year of college at the university of houston when I you didn’t really know what I wanted to do after graduating. I was working at Amazon, DoorDash, and Instacarting found myself in a depression when I learned my school was giving away grant money for students who were on financial aid and were affected by Covid. So I applied for it and luckily got some of the money spontaneously. And then I took the money and invested all the make up. I spent over $4000 at Ulta and Sephora. I felt like an idiot at first but after I paid up my student apartment rent for the summer and knew I had nothing to lose I just went for it and never stopped ever since.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
So struggles only the way that I had to learn was how to say no. Also, I had to learn to not let people walk all over me and you use me for my service. Also, it was hard, not having that much support. Do you know your friends and family always say to support you but it’s not always physically or up front.
It was hard to learn to trust myself and to believe in My craft. It is also still hard to set boundaries with clients and peers sometimes but I’m still learning how to do that.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Makeupbymekhi ?
With my makeup business MakeupbyMekhi, I prioritize building connections with my clients. Making everyone feel special and having great conversations and providing a safe space for whoever chooses to sit in my chair.
I am most proud about my integrity with my business As I tried to be stern, but fair with my clients. I tried to keep a level of transparency there for everyone to feel welcome but I do it with boundaries.
I would like everyone to know that it is never too late to chase your dreams and sometimes we have to use the situations life has given us as a stepping stone to get to where we truly want to be.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
It was a bigger risk to start Makeup But it wasn’t even bigger risk never to try. I was extremely fearful of working a job that I hated as I knew. It was the only option for me to maintain my life here in Houston outside of college or I would’ve had to move back to my town. Now that I have a a certain lifestyle, I’m trying to learn to take more risks that are worth it. Sometimes people are there to manipulate you into taking a risk that benefits them and doesn’t help you but I am learning to navigate through users and to trust myself. A big risk I’m going to take sooner will be to either move to LA or New York City to pursue my dreams of working with celebrity clientele, to work among really famous professional Makeup Artist, to work fashion week, and whatever other industry dreams I have.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://makeupbymekhi.as.me/
