Today we’d like to introduce you to Shea Johnson.
Shea, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Shea Hair & Make Up was not something I intented on starting, actually I’d never even considered it. Accident may not be the right word to describe how Shea Hair & Makeup started, I tend to prefer a phrase called “God wink” because that’s exactly what it was. Growing up, I danced a lot, so learning to style hair and do makeup came with the territory. From there, I came to really enjoy pampering and surprising my friends by doing their hair and make up for various functions we attended. Fast forward a few years, and I had some time to learn and grow those skills. So when one of my best friends told me she was getting married, I offered to do her hair and makeup. The wedding came and went, and I loved the experience as an artist as well as a friend. It was so special to see my friend see herself in the dress for the first time and love what she saw. My make up philosophy is very natural, simply enhancing what is already there and that is what my friend loved most. I realized what a huge responsibility and honor it was to get to not only participate but play such a special role in what at the time was the biggest day of my friend’s life. It was my first wedding, and I was hooked.
Shortly after, I was at a photoshoot with that same friend and her client. She was complimenting my friend’s wedding hair and makeup and wanting to hire the same company she had used. My friend, the Godsend she is, smiled and introduced me as the owner of Shea Hair & Make Up. Later on, her client became the first official wedding of Shea Hair & Make Up. From then, I was constantly learning and experiencing as much as I could so every client would get the best I had to offer. Since then, I have come to do all kinds of events outside of the wedding world. We’ve been able to work on fashion shows, tv shows, all kinds of photoshoots and even special events. Those things allow me to get a little creative and different and I love the chance to try new things. But weddings are my favorite job and always have been. Over the years, the industry has become so big, and sometimes things can get stressful for the new bride trying to navigate her way through peonies and place settings.
Because of that, I made a commitment to make my part in the process as simple and joyful as possible. I set prices and client limits back in 2015 that have not changed to this day in order to keep my attention and focus on giving my clients my best. I love what I get to do and love who I get to meet. In fact, many of my clients and brides become friends. All that to say, yes while this business was technically an accident, it was a far bigger blessing than I could have ever imagined. I can only hope moving forward to pass that blessing along to each and every client I get the chance to work with.
Has it been a smooth road?
When you own a business whether it’s new or old there are always bumps in the road. From scheduling issues to last-minute additions, things sometimes still present challenges. Ironically, that same thing happens in the weddings I get to work with. Any coordinator will tell you, at some point on your big day something somewhere won’t be exactly on par with what you wanted. We, as wedding vendors, are taught to adapt and overcome. Personally, I was raised in a family where “adapt and overcome” may as well have been framed over the front door so this thought process was nothing new. When a photoshoot date changes or the beautiful snowy white wedding becomes a windy blizzard (true story), we adapt and overcome. All kinds of things can affect a wedding or event with so many moving parts so we try to help where we can and smile where we can’t.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Shea Hair & Make Up is exactly what it sounds like, a hair and makeup company. We are a traveling service that provides hair styling and makeup application to clients all over the world. When we started, it was just me. Since then, I have a small team of associates that will come on to help with bigger parties. We work a lot in the wedding industry, but also do many things outside of it. Our range spans from fashion shows, awards shows, special events, tv show prep, personal and professional photoshoots and much more. Having pride in what you do is a special thing. To me, the way your hair looks and the way your makeup is done shouldn’t define who you are, but let’s face it- we all can appreciate the little bump it gives our confidence.
I believe makeup is supposed to compliment a person’s natural beauty. I don’t want to contour you a new nose or different cheekbones. I want to take the beauty that is already there and give it a little shine. I want to cover the pesky day to day things we don’t like and bring out the extra sparkle that comes when we feel good in our own skin. To me, that’s most important. We all have that story of when we got our hair and makeup done and looked like a pretty but different person in the mirror. I don’t want my clients to feel that way. I want them to look in the mirror and see themselves, only a little brighter. I think that orientation has served me well and is what has really kept the business unique.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Houston is such a diverse and unique place, it is a GREAT place to start a business. Particularly for us, we are constantly seeing fresh clients while still getting to work with previous clients. The wedding industry is incredibly talented in this city, as well. Many of the vendors work together often and are very supportive of new, up and coming businesses to add to the field. With the constant flow of social events happening here, there is always a chance to meet new clients and work on new and exciting projects. Shea Hair & Makeup travels to the client so we’ve had the chance to travel all over Houston and experience it’s charm and liveliness first hand.
Contact Info:
- Email: sheahairandmakeup@gmail.com
- Instagram: @sheahairandmakeup
Image Credit:
RaCayle Harrison Photography
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