How to Be More Confident

Do you wish you were more confident? Listen up, confidence is not a prerequisite to a successful business!

Here are some tips to remember when you're not feeling confident...

1. Start before you're ready

2. It's okay to be uncomfortable

3. Taking risks helps you grow

4. Learn to course adjust

5. Listen to your inner voice

To become more confident you must act confident, you must act the way you want to feel! Yes it will feel scary, yes you will want to quit but each time you do something big, you're becoming the greatest version of yourself. Doing things outside your comfort zone is scary as hell but that's where the magic is.

I know I was terrified the first time I made a video with tips for building your business...

"Who am I to give business advice?"

"Who would want to listen to me? I sound like a complete moron on video."

But I felt deep in my soul that I had something to share and that I had a bigger purpose to fill. There are absolutely times that I want to pack it up and quit but I also know that I don't want to spend every day knowing that I'm not living up to my truest potential.

Recognize your excuses as just that, excuses to hold yourself back...

"I don't feel confident."

"I don't know what steps to take."

"I don't have the money to take the class/buy the course/get help."

"There are already so many people doing it."

But they are not YOU, they do not have your story, your voice, or your message. Our brains work amazingly well trying to keep us safe so much that it will use any excuse to protect us from getting hurt, being scared, or failing. Recognize that the fear is just trying to protect you, thank it and move on.

Right now there is someone who is doing exactly what you want to do, living her best life and you could have the exact same reality if you were willing to get just a little uncomfortable and go for it. You were born here on this Earth to do amazing things so be brave and step into your greatness!

xo,

Kim

10 Steps to Start Your Makeup Artistry Business

Have you always dreamed of becoming a freelance makeup artist? With a career in makeup artistry you can create your own schedule, set your own rates, and you can choose to keep it as a side hustle or go full-time. It's easier than ever to start a business, so if you've been dreaming of becoming a makeup artist, these steps will act as your roadmap to a successful business. Set a date in your calendar and decide when you want to have the steps completed, let me know in the comments, I would love to support you!

10 Steps to Start Your Makeup Artistry Business

1. Decide Your Long-term Goals

Knowing where you want to be 1, 5, or 10 years from now will help you determine what direction you should go in. Think about the long-term vision for your life, starting with the end in mind will make it clear on what you should focus on and what to say "No" to.

2. Invest in Your Education

Find out if your state requires a license to do makeup. Investing in your education is so important even if you are self-taught, taking a class or a course to learn skills and techniques will make you a better makeup artist.

3. Hire a Mentor or Coach

There are people who have put in the work and have taken years to build their successful businesses, learn their steps and learn from their mistakes, this will get you from point A to point B a lot faster than having to learn everything on your own.

4. Purchase Your Kit Essentials

Be clear on your Ideal Client and what direction you want to go in before purchasing your kit will help you avoid spending money on things that you may never use. Most likely you will never use a lime green eyeshadow if you’re a classic bridal makeup artist!

5. Use Your Network to Build Your Portfolio

Your friends and family are the best place to start when practicing your skills. Take before and after pictures in natural light or with a ring light. This will help you learn to take better pictures and to see where you can make improvements in your work.

6. Create Your Business Social Media Accounts

Start posting images of your work on your social media. Most likely your Ideal Clients will be on Instagram and Facebook so put your energy where they hang out the most and use hashtags that they would use so they can easily find you.

7. Build Your Website

Having an online presence is so important, it is tempting for new artists to skip this step because it can be time consuming and costly (for a custom website) but you’re playing the long game so investing in your business is vital to standing out in a crowded market. Your website acts like a hub for your clients to see your work, learn more about you, and know how to contact and book you.

8. Grow Your Referral Network

Do some research and find the top 10 people in your area that you would love to work with. Follow them on social media, comment on their posts, reach out to them and let them know you would love to connect and if they would keep you in mind for future projects or referrals.

9. Build Your Community

Use your social media to connect and build relationships with your followers. This will help grow your community and make it easier for your followers to refer you to their networks if they know, like, and trust you.

10. Collect Reviews & Client Testimonials

The best way to be considered as an authority in your industry is to have reviews and testimonials of your work and your character. Use Google, Yelp, WeddingWire, The Knot (if you’re focusing on the bridal industry) and Facebook to help build your online reputation.

If you are skilled at your craft, determined to be successful and follow these 10 steps, it will not take years and years to build your business. You will see results so much faster and get your calendar booked!

Let me know in the comments, did you find this information helpful to starting your makeup artistry business?

Are you still feeling stuck? I offer 1:1 coaching sessions to help you start and grow your business to create profitable and long-term success! Contact me here for more information!

Would you like to keep in touch with me? Join my email list, click here!

xo,

Kim

Social Media Tips for Your Business

Using social media to market your business is a no-brainer! Here are some tips to help you create better content. If you are interested in joining my Inner Circle Coaching Group to receive monthly training videos go to Inner Circle.

If you want increase your visibility on search engines and social media consider adding video to your marketing plan.

xo,

Kim

25 Ways to Make Money as a Makeup Artist

No matter where you live, no matter what your circumstances, there are opportunities for you to have a career as a makeup artist. Even if you don’t make a lot of money in the beginning on some of these ideas it’s about getting out there, being seen for your talent, passing out business cards and making connections.

If you have a dream of becoming a makeup artist and doing it the old-fashioned way by hitting the streets with your makeup kit in tow (not by YouTube tutorial videos), this list will hopefully get the idea gears going so you can see the limitless possibilities.  Figure out what success looks like for you, find someone you can look up to and strive to be the best at what you do. Even if you’re just doing it on the weekends while you keep your day job, start where you are, everyone has to start somewhere!

First check with state regulations as some states may require you to have a license.

25 Ways to Make Money as a Makeup Artist:

1. Wedding Makeup
2. Engagement Photography Sessions
3. Family Sessions
4. Boudoir Sessions
5. Makeup Lessons
6. Real Estate Group Lesson
7. Girls Night Out
8. Prom and Jr. Prom
9. Special Events (Charity Events, Balls)
10. Group Lesson for Business Women Networking Groups
11. Teen Makeup Lesson
12. Commercial Work
13. Television News Channel
14. Production Work for Television and Videos
15. Freelance at a Makeup Counter
16. Start a Makeup Line or sell Multi-Level Marketing cosmetics
17. Work at a Hair Salon
18. Work at a Day Spa
19. Teach Makeup at Esthetician or Cosmetology School
20. Build a Team of Artists
21. Sell Services/Makeup at Events and Shows
22. Teach other Makeup Artists
23. Hold a Master Class
24. Makeup for Print Editorials
25. Head Shot Photography Sessions

I hope this helps get you thinking outside the usual ways to make money as a makeup artist and helps you to see the immense number of opportunities we have in our communities!

xo,

Kim

(This post was originally posted on my Makeup by Kim Porter website on December 19, 2017.)

Tips for Your Bridal Beauty Business

In this video I teach you how to turn your bridal clients into lifelong, repeat clients and reoccurring revenue for your business. Most makeup artists focus all of their energy on marketing and advertising to get bridal clients, constantly having to get new clients in the door... or on their website. In the marketing world we call this "one-off" clients because you work with them once and then you have to go find more.

What if you could turn your bridal client into a lifelong client? Think of all the ways you can serve your bridal clients!

Engagement Session

Bridal Trial

Bridal Portrait

Wedding Day

Maternity/New Pet Session

Family Pictures

Makeup Lesson

Products

If you do not have some sort of products or retail line to sell to your clients you are leaving money on the table. Bonus points if you do spray tanning, facials, or brow microblading! I want you to think about the bigger picture, turn those bridal clients into raving fans and I promise, you will not only have them as reoccurring clients but also their friends and family.

If you have any questions about your bridal beauty business email me at info@kimportertv.com!

xo,

Kim

20 Tips to Becoming a Makeup Artist

One of the most asked questions I get is, "What are the steps to becoming a makeup artist?" and although I definitely have my steps that I teach my coaching students, these tips will work as a starting point to becoming a makeup artist! 

1. Know it’s not as glamorous as it looks

Just know that there will be long hours, long nights, hard work, and lugging around a heavy makeup kit.

2. Learn everything you possibly can

Do makeup on everyone you know, read books, watch videos….practice, practice, practice!

3. Find a mentor

And be willing to pay that mentor!  If you find someone who you respect and would love to work with, chances are there are others who feel the same way and when someone is running a business, they cannot possibly work as a free mentor to everyone.

4. Create a clear vision of where you want to go

Create your big picture even if it seems totally out of reach right now.

5. Use goal setting to create your steps

Once you have created your vision use goal setting to break it down into steps.  Each year when you accomplish a goal, set a bigger goal, and each goal accomplished will get you closer to your vision.

6. Learn to take risks

You can’t do anything great by staying in your comfort zone.  You have to learn to face your fear and know that it’s going to be okay.

7. Buy the best you can afford

You will not attract high end clients with cheap makeup and subpar work!  Yes everyone loves a great deal and there are great drugstore products, but if you skimp on your education and on your kit, you are skimping on your clients.

8. Put your money where it counts

It’s imperative that you define your brand.  Have a logo designed, build a website that is exactly “you”, and build your brand so that you will attract the clients that are perfect for you.

9. If your clients can’t find you they can’t hire you

Learn SEO and how to use social media to build your brand.

10. Find your niche

It is so important to learn who your client is and why they buy from you.  Once you find your niche client, tailor every decision you make with that client in mind.

11. Know your worth

No one starts out getting top dollar but don’t undercut yourself and your industry, it hurts everyone.  If you aren’t sure what to charge, it’s better to ask than to take an uneducated guess.

12. Build your community

Find other makeup artists in your area and form relationships with vendors.  Also, look outside of your area for others doing the same thing you are, they are great resource to bounce ideas off of and get feedback from.

13. Know that there will be setbacks

You will hear the word “no” and things will not always work out the way you want.  At the beginning of my career I had interviews with Stila Cosmetics, with a spa, and with a salon and I didn’t get hired by any of them but it pushed me to keep going.  If I had gotten any of those jobs I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.

14. Build your portfolio

Take pictures of your work even if you don’t think it’s so great, you can use the images as a tool to critique your work and improve it.  In the beginning do “for trade” work and collaborate with other vendors on styled photo shoots.

15. Own up to your mistakes

Stay humble, know that you aren’t going to know everything all the time, and be willing to take constructive criticism.

16. Stay true to your personal style

Don’t be swayed by the latest trends.  Find your style, define it, and perfect it.

17. Give 100% all the time

Be on time, put your clients first, leave your drama at the door, and always put your best face forward.  Your clients don’t care if you are having a bad day they have paid for a service and you are there to deliver it.

18. Know your role

Do not walk all over somebody else to get to the front of the line, karma is a bitch.  Get into the industry for the right reasons, if your main goal is fame and fortune, you are in for a rude wakeup call.  You must be there to serve your clients, your industry, and always remember your character is everything.

19. Be willing to change

Listen to your clients.  After doing traditional makeup for 12 years I was listening to the needs (more like demands!!) of my clients when I decided to learn how to airbrush foundation.  When the tides are changing, if you aren’t willing to listen and change when needed, you will get left behind.

20. Define your own level of success

Everyone’s ultimate vision is different and you have to define what is best for you.  I personally hate to travel without my family so I’m not going to be jet setting across the world for work, but for someone else traveling and seeing the world is a perfect life for them.  From the very beginning, design your life to be what is best for you and always keep your ultimate vision in the forefront of your mind.

To be successful in anything you have to have determination, perseverance, and an intense passion.  You have to believe that you have something to offer that is different than anybody else.  Know that nobody owes you anything and you have to be willing to work for it.  Go the extra mile and do what others aren’t willing or don’t want to do. 

Success is just doors that lead from one opportunity to another.  Keep opening doors and you'll be surprised where you end up!

xo,

Kim

If you are interested in learning more about coaching please go to: https://www.kimportertv.com/workwithme/

(This article was originally posted on my makeup website, Makeup by Kim Porter, on February 19, 2016.)

Instagram for Makeup Artists

Tips for using Instagram for your business:

1. Make it easy for your ideal client to find your Instagram using your website

2. Know who you are posting for and keep your Ideal Client in mind when posting on Instagram

3. Be consistent posting 1 or 2 times per day

4. Use attractive images with good lighting and a clean background

If you would like to know more about using social media for your business, join us in my Inner Circle Coaching Group! 

xo,

Kim

Be Rigid with Your Goals

Yesterday I was watching a TV show with my toddler and as I'm sitting there watching this older gentleman dance and sing on stage I thought, "Wow he probably grew up wanting to be a rock star but that didn't work out so now he's a rocking entertainer for kids". At first I thought that was sad but then I thought about all the things young boys fantasize about if they want to be a rock star when they grow up:

Raving fans

Rocking out, doing their thing

Money

And this guy definitely has all three! It got me thinking about my journey and another quote that has really stuck with me, "Keep your goal in mold and your plan in sand" - Lisa Nichols.

Growing up I wanted to be the usual hairstylist, veterinarian, teacher... as I went through high school I wasn't a bad student but I definitely didn't have it all figured out either.  After high school, I started at community college and quit, worked my way up into retail management, then thought I might want to do interior design and went to work at an architecture and interior design firm. Once I realized that wasn't working either I started community college again with the intent of going into teaching.

It was at that time I took a part time job working at a cosmetics store having zero experience and never wearing makeup other than lipstick. After working there awhile, women would come in asking me to go on-location to do makeup for their wedding. It was then that the light bulb went off in my head, like hey this is an actual business and when we start a family I can work on the weekends and be home with our children during the week. 

Fast forward years later we had two elementary age children, I had a successful makeup artistry business with a studio and makeup line, and I suddenly felt this little nudge to do something more. I had been teaching makeup artistry classes for a few years but I wanted to go more into the mindset and strategies to help women grow their businesses. I announced one day to my sister, "I want to do coaching" but I had no idea how that would work into my busy life. I had no idea how to get started or what the next step was but once the idea was there, I couldn't get it out of my head.

It just so happens not even 2 weeks later I found out we were expecting our third and *surprise* baby! The story gets to be like a winding road after that and the coaching idea went on the back burner for 2 years but I noticed I kept getting all of these women messaging and emailing me, "How can I be a makeup artist? How can I do what you do? What are the steps I need to take? How did you open a studio/start a makeup line?". I realized that they were reaching out to me because there wasn't a lot of information out there about building a makeup artistry business past buying a makeup kit, and so my coaching business was born. 

Sometimes things don't look like how we think they will or should. Sometimes we get little nudges, I think of them as like little bread crumbs, and if we keep following them we eventually start to see the whole picture come together.

Don't ignore the little nudges, that's the Universe talking to you!

xo,

Kim

Makeup Tips for Video

Unless you are a makeup influencer or YouTube artist you want an easy makeup application so you can focus on getting your content out as fast as possible and feel your most confident while doing it. We know video is the next big thing and if you post a video on Facebook it's 6 times more likely to be seen than a regular text only post, so its a no-brainer we need to be doing more video for our businesses.

This is my usual 20 minute routine but if you are good with less makeup please feel free to edit out what doesn't work for you. I find tutorials are best watched with a pen and paper so you can write down any tips that you want to remember.

Links have been provided for my Kim Porter Beauty line available online and in my studio but the tutorial can be used with the makeup you already own!

For this tutorial I used the following brushes: Powder, Blush, Angled Blush, Concealer, Shadow, Blender, Smokey, Brow Definer

Easy Makeup Application for Videos

1. Moisturizer- I deal with dark pigmentation and love the R+F Reverse Regimen
2. Face primer and eye primer
3. Curl lashes if needed
4. Foundation with a damp sponge, I love this Real Techniques sponge
5. Concealer for redness and under eye concealer
6. Cream blush
7. Powder to set makeup
8. Eyeshadow, Highlight & Contour Palette, pink shadow (no longer available)
9. Eyeliner
10. Mascara (see video pt. 2 below)
11. Brow powder and tint
12. Contour
13. Blush
14. Highlight
15. Lipstick
16. Lip Liner (no longer available)

* Cream Blush, Powder Blush, and Eyeshadows are magnetic and fit inside my magnetic mirror palette

I used the Stellar Lighting Ring Light in this video and when I do video for my business because it helps make me look my best. 

So of course I finished the video and realized I didn't do mascara (oops!) so here is my best mascara tips!

If you watch the tutorial, please let me know I would love to know what tips worked best for you! 

xo,

Kim

Not Getting the Support You Need?

I posted this on my Instagram along with this caption, "Don't worry if you aren't getting the support or encouragement that you wished from friends and family, sometimes you have to show people the big picture for them to understand your vision." If you are a creative person, chances are you've done a few different things in your life and maybe those closest to you are not always your biggest cheerleaders.

Please remember, it is not the job of our friends and families to support every little thing that we do. It can sometimes take a lot of experimenting and trying on different hats to find what works, show people with your actions and words what your intentions are.

If necessary, find support outside of your circle of friends and family, be super clear about your goals and vision and stay on your course. Maybe they can't see the big picture yet but in time you will show them!

xo,

Kim

Recap: Social Media Marketing Made Easy Conference

I recently attended the Social Media Marketing Made Easy conference in Virginia Beach hosted by Sharon Blackwell owner of Every Little Thing Market. I was only able to attend the Saturday morning session as we had already planned to have my son's birthday party that day but all the information was so great!

The list of speakers were Jennifer Allwood who is a Business Coach for Creative Entrepreneurs and owner of The Magic Brush, Angela Herrigton a Life and Digital Strategy Coach for Christian Women, and Melanie Diehl a Digital Marketing Strategist.

I have been following Jennifer Allwood on Facebook and Instagram for a few months and her videos have helped me to grow my online business and social media. I don't usually get all fan girl but I was so excited to meet her and to find out that she is in person just as she is on her videos!

I took a ton of notes that I'll be sharing with my Inner Circle Coaching Group but wanted to give you a few tips that I think will help to grow your social media and online presence.

Jennifer suggests that to build our Facebook pages we should be posting a minimum of 4 times a day (woah!) and posting Facebook live videos at least 2x's per week. Who here has been putting off doing live videos? (yep, me too!)

 Angela Herrington posed these questions to help us better understand our clients/customers:

Who do you want to reach?

What do they care about?

Where do they hang out?

What do you have to offer to them?

Why do they care?

How will life be different if they get it (your product/service)?

How do they get it (your product/service) from you?

Finally, Melanie Diehl discussed how to use Google My Business for promoting your business. You can get customer reviews, post your times of operation, and let clients/customers know what your business is all about. If you go to www.gybo.com/business you can claim your free Google listing.

Me and Jennifer Allwood taking a selfie, no biggie! :)

Overall it was a great chance to connect with other business owners and learn more about building my social media! I think the best feeling was knowing that just a few weeks before I saw the information for this conference I said to my sister that I wished there were more ways for me to learn and connect in our area and then *boom*, one of my favorite coaches that I have been kind of sorta stalking online comes from Kansas City to Virginia Beach! It just goes to show when you put it out into the Universe, the Universe gives you exactly what you ask for! 

To find out more about my Inner Circle Coaching Group go to www.kimportertv.com/innercircle.

xo,

Kim

How to Manifest Anything You Want

Most people live in a state of wanting what they want but being too terrified to go out and get it. Getting what you want requires doing things that feel uncomfortable by stepping outside your comfort zone and taking a leap of faith. The steps aren't difficult but they take focus and persistence.

The steps to getting anything you want in life are to:

1. Decide

You must first decide what you want, to be totally clear and to make the decision, nothing will happen if you don't commit to this first step.

2. Clear any blocks or fears

Once you make the decision you must clear any negative thoughts or feelings from blocking you. Write down your fears and the absolute worst things that would happen if things didn't work out. Mindfully address each fear and thank your fears for trying to protect you but that you are ready for the next step, like this... "Thank you fear of embarrassing myself in a video but I am going to be okay and I'm ready to take the next step."

3. Believe that it's possible

You must believe that it's possible to get what you want. If you decide that you want a Ferrari to appear in the next hour but you don't believe that it's possible, it'll never work out.

4. Take inspired action

Write down everything that needs to happen to get you what you want and all the ways to get you there. Figure out what the easiest thing is to do right now and start there. Everyday wake up feeling the excitement of getting closer to getting what you want and take the necessary action to get you there.

5. Stay positive

Fill you mind with positive thoughts, post pictures around you that will inspire you and will keep you focused. When negative thoughts creep in acknowledge them, thank them for showing up and send them on their way. Negative thoughts are just the way your mind tries to keep you safe and secure in your current space. If you feel that it's a reoccurring thought that is actually a block for you, try sitting down and exploring the thought. Ask yourself, "Is it true, is it helpful?" and if it's not then you have just faced a block head on and it will lose its power over you.

Rinse and repeat.

Download my workbook to help you manifest anything you want: Personal Power Workbook

If you have any questions or comments I would love to hear from you!

xo,

Kim

Finding Happiness and Success

How can you get everything you've ever wanted in life and still not be happy?

In short, from the outside looking in, my life can be summed up by a series of check marks:

✔ Married to a great guy

✔ Three beautiful, smart, healthy kids

✔ House in our target neighborhood that exactly matched our criteria

✔ Successful business

It's the last one that really got me... you know marriage and children are going to be hard and you constantly have to work at it. But once I set my sights on building a successful business, I thought for sure that would bring me the fulfillment that I was so desperately searching for.

I was "successful" after accomplishing all of my goals in just a few short years but I didn't feel successful. I constantly felt frazzled, I had gained weight, and I was putting my health and my relationships on the back burner. I was trying to do way too much, I was saying "yes" to projects for fear that they wouldn't like me if I said "no" or that I would be easily replaced and never asked again. I was on a fast moving train and I had no idea how to get off of it. How could I possibly admit that I was unhappy when I was doing exactly what I said I wanted to do? It was only after finding out that I was pregnant with our third and *surprise* baby that I was able to really look at my life and get some perspective.

"If you had asked me why I wanted to start my own business I would have said freedom but I looked around at my life and I felt everything but free."

I had nailed the vision & goal setting part of my life but I had missed something, I was missing the feeling that I wanted to feel once I had accomplished those goals. I thought I would magically feel happy and fulfilled but the truth is you have to start full to feel full. The accomplishments and resume highlights are great (Hello, Secret Service and VP candidate, I mean as a makeup artist that looks pretty good on the 'ol resume!) but they are fleeting, that high flying feeling of "success" doesn't last long.

So how do you avoid the life crisis of realizing you are not happy even after you've gotten everything you've ever dreamed of? 

First ask yourself these questions...

What do I want?

How do I want to feel when I get it?

How can I create that feeling now and use it as a guide to getting what I want?

I know that so many other people feel the same way and I especially hear it from women. They send me messages, they tell me sitting in my makeup chair, and they whisper their dreams to me over a few glasses of wine. What we want is clarity, we want fulfillment, we want to feel like we are living our purpose but not having to sacrifice what we value the most... our family, friends, and our health, to get it. We don't have to settle for a simple life, we can have a life of abundance and adventure and whatever else we want, but it starts with getting clear on our values and the feelings that we want to feel and letting them be our guides.

I would love to hear from you, let me know what you think in the comments!

xo,

Kim

How Fear Blocks Our Progress

This is a tough story for me to share, I'm not really sure why though I'm a pretty wide open book but this one feels kind of personal. I've decided to share it anyway if it can help just one person see how they may be holding themselves back. This is a story about birth, fear, and emotional blocks....but mainly about fear and how to beat it.

First I have to give you some back story, my first birth was over 13 hours long with no drugs, it was my choice I wanted to test my body to see if I could actually do it (I know some people think I'm crazy). Our second child was an emergency c-section. By the time we found out about our third pregnancy my husband and I were two busy parents with a 10 year old girl and 7 year old boy, all the baby stuff had been donated or given away and to say that it was a surprise was an understatement. Once we were over the initial shock we embraced it and were excited to have a little one running around the house again. But I also knew this meant I would have to take a step back from my busy makeup artistry business to stay home with this baby like I did with our other two children.

We had decided with our doctors approval to try a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) and were so excited when my water broke 4 days before my due date, we were ready and couldn't wait to meet our little girl. Once we were admitted into Labor and Delivery I started doing all the things I had done for my first birth like squatting, dancing, trying to stay on my feet and moving as much as possible and deep breathing exercises . I did all the things that had worked before but I wasn't progressing and when your water breaks they want you to give birth within 24 hours to avoid infection. They put me on Pitocin to try to speed things along but I stayed at 1 centimeter for nearly the full 24 hours. After not dilating no matter what I did the doctor came in to let me know that if I had no progression within the next few hours that I was going to have to have a c-section. I felt like my body was failing me, I had done it once before, why wasn't I progressing?

I just had this feeling like I was holding myself back, that somehow I was blocking my own progression. I Googled "fear labor not progressing" and came across an article about a couple that lived in the city where I live (Coincidence? I don't think so.) about this exact thing and it sounded just like what I was dealing with. I texted the only person I knew that would understand, my sister, she is a trained yoga instructor, worked a Lululemon Athletica and she introduced me to personal development books and spiritual, thought leaders. I explained to her what I thought was happening, she agreed that it was totally possible and that I needed to face whatever it was that was holding me back. I started to write down everything that I was afraid of and I turned and told my husband...

• I was afraid we couldn't afford another child and keep our lifestyle
• I was afraid we wouldn't be able to love another child like our other two
• I was afraid another child might hurt our marriage
• I was afraid that my business, the one I had built from nothing into something that I loved so much, would suffer
• I was afraid that our other two children would resent us

Through uncontrollable tears I voiced all the things that you aren't suppose to say, all the things that we think but never utter out loud, I said them and I immediately felt a weight lift from me that I had never felt before. I didn't care that the nurse was looking at me like I was crazy, I felt so much better and if I had to have a c-section and unable to work the wedding I had scheduled just 3 weeks later, then so be it. I had come to peace with all of it. Then something really crazy happened, after almost 24 hours of not dilating at all, I dilated 3 centimeters within an hour and we had ourselves a baby girl just 2 hours later. My labor progressed so fast the nurses were scrambling to get their team together because they had been prepping me and were for sure I was going to have a c-section.

So why tell this story, why share this personal experience with all of you? Because I think we need to understand how fear can hold us back and can stop us from progressing. What I experienced I think so many other people do too, not just in birth but in so many other areas in our lives. I swear if just one nurse had said to me that I could be holding myself back from progressing with my own fear and anxiety, I could have avoided the near c-section a whole lot sooner.

What other ways are people letting fear and anxiety stop them from doing what they really want to do in their lives? Too afraid to say the things they really want and need to say out loud for fear of being looked down upon or disappointing someone. Humans still have a tribe mentality and we avoid doing anything that would get us kicked out of the tribe. This stuff is real, I believe with all my heart that we have the ability to give ourselves wings to fly or we clip them with our fear, doubt and worry. What are you afraid of saying out loud, what little nudges have you felt that you're trying to ignore? I hope by sharing this it will give you the strength to stand in your own truth.

Please let me know in the comments if you have a story to share, I would love to hear from you.

xo,

Kim

Think Small, Play Small

I doubt everything, I second guess myself all the time, heck even this image above I've gone back and forth about the mountain...Is it too masculine? Does a mountain really portray what I'm trying to get across in my message?

I've learned about myself that if I listen to the voices in my head (all sane) I will undoubtedly chicken out, change my mind or go hide. Practicing bravery is like building a muscle, the more you do it, the more brave you become.

Today I hit "send" on two big, hairy, scary things but I've also learned about myself that I feel most alive when I'm pushing myself. Although I'm terrified, I know that when I do big things I'm helping others do big things as well. So even though I want to go hide I don't, I hit "send" and freak out alone in my living room.

xo,

Kim

Is Perfectionism Hurting You?

If you're too scared to make a move, afraid to get it wrong, mess it up, and afraid of failure you're holding yourself back in your life and your business. My motto is "Perfection is Unattainable". You'll never know unless you try and it's okay to change your mind and course correct as you go along.

I've always jumped and then figured it out on the way down sometimes I crashed and burned and sometimes I fly. Watch the video for tips on how to overcome it!

xo,

Kim

How to Vision & Goal Setting

There are some things that are just instrumental in taking yourself and your business to the next level. I want share with you how I went from from booking 6 weddings to 50 weddings in just 3 years in my makeup artistry business!

Writing you Vision, which I like to call your Ultimate Vision, is a snapshot in time of your life 10 years from now.

What are you doing?

Who are you with?

What do you see?

Use your 5 senses to write down as much detail as you can. Once you have completed your Ultimate Vision, work backwards to set clear goals, I call this Reverse Engineering Your Life.

You will have 3 section of Goals:
Personal
Career
Health

Within each section you'll have 1, 3, and 5 year Goals. It doesn't have to be hard and fast goals either, it can be a feeling like in Danielle Laporte's "The Fire Starter Sessions" where she uses your Core Desired Feelings to define your goals. If you haven't read this book, I strongly recommend it.

At the end of 2012, when I first learned about Vision & Goal Setting, I thought about my long-term vision and I wrote down my goals for the first time ever. I got really clear on what I wanted and let myself dream bigger than I've ever let myself before. I was booked for just 6 weddings that year, our youngest at the time was getting ready to go to school full-time and I knew if I was going to really build my business, it was now or never.

My List of Goals in 2012 (some were 5 - 10 year goals):

• Create a makeup line

• Book 30 weddings

• Open a makeup studio

• Hire a team of artists

• Increase my income

By 2015 I had nailed ALL of them, booking 50 weddings that year and increasing my income that far surpassed what I was making working full-time in retail. I was amazed, I couldn't believe how fast everything had manifested. I knew then just how powerful it was to get clear on what you want and just go for it. 

If you do this exercise I would love to hear from you!

xo,

Kim

How to Stand Out in a Crowded Market

1.  Think outside the box-

Do what others aren't or aren't will to do! One of the most asked questions I get is, "How did you get so many jobs working with television?" I've worked with Fox News, CNN, and NBC and it happened really organically. Ten years ago when I was at the beginning of my business I sent out postcards to all the coordinators and venue coordinators in my area hoping to build my wedding business. That postcard fell into the right hands of the person who does the hiring for our local teleport and that's how it works. Look at how you can be different from what others are doing.

2.  Get your website seen-

Your website must be more than just pretty, it has to have amazing SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Find a web designer that specializes in not just building pretty sites but that will also get you seen on search engines. If your website is past page 4 you are a lot less likely to be seen by someone looking for products/services that you offer.

3.  Be an expert at something-

Figure out how you're different and how you can develop your niche from that. I am know for my soft and pretty makeup looks which makes me perfect for bridal and a few years ago I learned how to do airbrushing so I am now know for that, which is great for bridal makeup because it's flawless and longer lasting.

4.  You are the face of your business-

Don't be afraid to step out and be the face, not always putting your products/services out there first. People want to connect with your business but they need to know who you are and what your story is.

5.  Make connections- 

Referrals are one of the best ways to build your business. When I was sending out post cards 10 years ago I was targeting coordinators in my area. How did I find them? I looked in the local weddings magazines, now with search engines it would be easy to target the first 3 pages of people or businesses in your area that most relate to what you do. Find out who they are and build a relationship.

Bonus: Use social media to tell your story, people want to see you and hear your story so they can build that know, like, and trust factor!

xo,

Kim 

How to Use Video in Your Business

You've heard that video is where it's at and you know video will add value to your clients/customers, so why aren't you doing it?

Some of the reasons I've heard from women is:

"I hate the way I sound"

"I hate the way I look"

"I feel ridiculous"

Let me share with you a stat I found online...

"Online videos will account for 80% of all consumer traffic by 2020"(Cisco)

Facebook is prioritizing video, especially live video, above everything else. This means that if you want you business page to be seen, you need to be posting video. So that means you'll have to get over it and do it even though you feel ridiculous!

Here are my Top 10 Tips to Filming a Better Video (and Getting People to See It!)

1. Lighting: Get yourself some good lighting, it will make you look and feel great in your video. I suggest getting a ring light, I bought mine online at Stellar Lighting Systems.

2. Sound: Make sure you keep outside noises to a minimum and get a microphone so that you know your audience can hear you clearly, just watch it if you have long hair!

3.  Background: Try to find a wall or corner that isn't cluttered to use as your backdrop. If your audience is focused on looking at everything around you, they aren't focused on you!

4.  Appearance: I know as a woman you are hard on yourself but don't be, you do not need a hair and makeup team to feel confident on video. Some strategic makeup applications to maximize your features and minimize any (perceived) flaws is all you need! Most of the time if I'm filming at my home I'm in my yoga pants and just throw on a top because that's all you're going to see anyway.

5.  Take Notes: I have some serious A.D.D. sometimes so having at least some notes with bullet points helps to keep me on track.

6.  Share it Social Media: Share it on your social before you go live to get more eyes and share it after on all your social with a call to action.

7.  Catchy Description: Use a description that will catch people's attention, let them know what it is you will be talking about, and use emojis to be more visible.

8.  Introduction: You have about 8 to 10 seconds at the start of a video for people watching to know that they are interested in sticking around to watch or not. Save the formal intro for a minute of two and focus on the beginning on catching the attention of your audience.

9.  Be Inspiring, Informative, and/or Funny: No one wants to watch a boring video so unless you are trying to attract super low-key peeps you have to pump it up a little. Be excited and be passionate so that those watching get excited with you!

10.  Give a Call to Action: After you wrap up your top give your audience a call to action to like, follow, and share to help build your audience.

I hope this helps! If you found value in this please share it and leave a comment, I would love to hear from you.

xo,

Kim