Season 1 Episode 2 | Makeup Mogul Mom

Sara and Steph dish with Ariel Lewis, a makeup artist and entrepreneur based in Ellicott City, MD. Find out the story of how this boss babe started her national makeup artistry company from scratch.

SHOW NOTES

BUSINESS

How long have you been in business?

9 years

What areas do you serve?

Airbrush by Ariel serves the DMV; A-List is national

Why did you decide to start your own business?

Flexibility to set my own hours “as a stay at home mom” I needed something creative I wanted to see if I could

What's the coolest thing about owning your own business?

Flexibility, I don’t have a boss I don’t have to implement anything I don’t want to I can curate my business to my likening and vision I provide work and incredible opportunities for the women who work with me I help people through something I love

What's the hardest thing about owning your business?

I don’t have a boss ... anything that goes wrong is ultimately my fault There’s a lot of pressure that comes along with knowing so many people Depend on my business for income

Do you have a favorite story to share?

Lots! The Story from the Belvedere Hotel in Baltimore is my favorite go-to (you'll have to listen to the podcast for that)

What challenges have you had to overcome?

Story from the Belvedere Hotel in Baltimore haha

What advice could you offer to someone starting a business like yours?

My best advice would be to not put too much pressure on yourself. I think one of the biggest reasons my business thrives so quickly was because I didn’t treat it like a business and put that type of pressure on it early on. I focused on enjoying myself building stony team and making my clients happy!

What's the craziest thing you've seen happen at a wedding?

I’ve seen it all! Wedding crashers, drunk bridesmaids, crying terrified brides…

INSIGHTS

What is your favorite lipgloss/lip kit?

My Ariel Lewis Vegan line

Is there a most requested DC look for weddings?

Natural timeless classic looks!

What's the most important thing to consider when choosing your wedding day look?

Remember that these images are of you and your spouse are forever. Your children will look back on them one day and you don’t want to be unrecognizable ... Don’t go after trends that will become quickly outdated

What's the biggest mistake you see people make with their hair/makeup?

They go after IG trends that do not fit their face shape, complexion, personality

YOUR WEDDING

What, if anything, would you change about your wedding?

I would change so many things about my wedding day. I was not in the wedding industry at the time. I have so many wedding vendor friends now that I would love to have been able to use

How did you choose your wedding vendors?

I got married before Pinterest and Instagram. I think I had a Wedding 411 book to help me. I also used a lot of bridal magazines for inspiration

What advice could you offer to engaged couples planning their wedding - as both a wedding professional and a married human?

Take a moment on the wedding day to take in all of the magic. It’s one of the only times in your life that everyone who loves you will be in a room celebrating with you As a wedding professional my best advice is do your research and book your vendors 1+ years in advance