Today we’d like to introduce you to Arissa Thomas.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Makeup and just beauty, in general, has always been a passion of mine. As I teen I suffered from really bad acne which lead me to being interested in learning how to do my own makeup. It made me feel less insecure about my acne. It wasn’t until shortly after becoming a mother made me look at things from a different perspective. Why not do something you love and get paid to do it? I was sitting at home one day scrolling through Instagram when I ran across a post from an MUA in Chicago who was marketing the most beautiful makeup kits for her upcoming makeup class, I decided to try the class out, even though I had previous experience. I wanted to learn extra tips that I didn’t know, I wanted to be sure that this was something I’d actually enjoy doing for other people, and if it would make me income. After the class, I was so excited and driven. That’s when Dollface Studios was birthed. Mind you this was during the pandemic, however because Chicago is big city they always have something going on. Right when they lifted the stay-at-home mandate business started booming! My mom actually got me my first big gig! A photoshoot for her and her book club. I did a total of nine ladies faces that day and everyone loved it! After that event I started networking, getting referred and making business connections!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
With every venture there are obstacles With mine I’m certain that it was no different. My time in Chicago was temporary. A few months later I moved back to Austin and basically had to start all over again. Being that Chicago is my home town it was a lot more difficult to build clientele and connections in Austin, so business was not that busy at first, but after a few months of consistency, business got right where I needed it to be! Now have established clientele in 2 different states! Sometimes I just sit back in awe because I really built my business from the ground up. I turned nothing into something in such a short period of time, knowing that I can do that only gives me hope for all of my future endeavors. When you experience the birth of the next generation or become more important than ever that you build a platform for them to succeed.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a professional makeup artist. I specialize in natural, soft and dramatic glams! I also have a cosmetic line. I have lash strips, lipgloss and etc available for purchase. I’m most proud of my growth personally and professionally. What sets Dollface Studios apart from others is that we strive to give a luxury experience. From our studio presentation to our lash packaging, all the way down to our marketing flyers. Everything is intended to give a luxurious experience to each client.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
To answer this question I have to refer to the old adage that it takes a village to raise a child. I believe it all starts with God himself and the blessings that he has bestowed on my family and me obeying his principles continues to help me reap his promises. I have to recognize and thank my parents. I am fortunate to have two active parents in my life my mother Aquilla. and my father Bishop Thomas have both been examples, inspirations and even investors my entire life. They dared to let me dream and help cultivate the dreams that I’ve had and I believe will continue to have. I am thankful for my sister Artasia, for always being both a friend and a huge supporter. Being the product of good grandparents, which is missing in today’s culture, they have played such a significant role in my life. My grandmother Barbara, thank you for helping raise me and always helping support me. My grandparents Fred and Waddie, built a strong foundation for me to stand on. And lastly to my little family that I’ve built. Thank you to my boyfriend Alfred for being supportive the entire time, reassuring me when I felt I wasn’t good enough, painting/helping put together my studio, and for always believing me and lastly, I would like to thank my son, Amahd. Thank you for giving me a purpose in life, because of you I am inspired, motivated and hungry to be a better version of myself every day so that I can be the best mother to you. The list could just go on and on. All in all, I have truly been blessed through this entire journey and am grateful for my village.
Contact Info:
- Website: Dollface Studios has invited you to book your next appointment on their booking site. https://squareup.com/appointments/book/YYY133N1NN15V
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/dollfacestudios_?r=nametag
Image Credits
Rae Davis
