Today we’d like to introduce you to Aminah Carter.
Hi Aminah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I have always had a passion for makeup since high school. I remember experiencing my first cancellation from a makeup artist in 2015, while I was attending someone else’s prom. I took an oath to myself, after that day, to never allow anyone else to not prioritize me in that manner.
When I attended community college and played JUCO; I would always buy different makeup products, watch different Youtube videos, and practice with myself and my teammates to better my craft. Any chance that I had to do makeup, I would!
In between practice and classes, I would always be applying one of my teammate’s eyelashes, eyeshadow, or filling in their eyebrows. I did not have much but I always made it work! Transitioning onto a university, I still continued to better my craft. I lived off campus, I would commute to school every day. So I started my experience as a traveling makeup artist and took clients whenever I could.
I would carry my ring light and makeup bags on campus and set up shop inside the dorms, commuting areas, and even lobbies. In 2020, after receiving my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Coppin State University, I decided to dedicate more of my time to make-up and since then I have never stopped. I went from being a traveling makeup artist to being home-based and now running my business from my suite located in Pikesville, MD.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Smooth? Not at all. I believe that social media and society today have given us this “image” of what entrepreneurship should “look” like. When in reality, we are all just running the same race. Growing up and living in Baltimore, you see the beauty in your city but you also see the pain.
Along the way, becoming a full-time makeup artist has always been my biggest struggle. I started to take my passion seriously during the breakout of a pandemic. The biggest struggle for me was staying afloat and making adult decisions.
I had to strategize my passion by learning about my audience, learning about different clientele culturally in the beauty industry, building clientele, and the biggest one of them all; paying my business forward.
We’ve been impressed with BeautybyMinah, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a 26-year-old self-taught makeup artist located in Pikesville, MD. My Instagram handle is @beauty_byminah. I specialize in full coverage makeup. I believe that what sets me apart from others is my authenticity. I believe that by providing a service, you should always bring an experience to your clientele along with great customer service.
I am the proudest brand-wise, this is how I have adapted to any situation my brand has transitioned through so far. I want readers to know that my workplace is a safe space. I want any and everyone that sits in my chair to feel comfortable and beautiful once their service is complete.
I offer full glams, bridal consultations, birthday specials, and one on one classes.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Since my business started during the breakout of the pandemic, I have learned that you can never be too precautious.
Covid-19 has given me the ability to understand that you will always need a backup plan.
Whether it is creating a new marketing strategy, creating another stream of income that does not rely on clientele, or remaining healthy to provide many services.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beautybyminahbooking.as.me/
- Instagram: @beauty_byminah
