Desiree is Beauty Entrepreneur, Celebrity Assistant, & Reiki Master. She is the author of the art journal Create Your Own Makeup Image highlighting coloring as a relaxation technique that assists in mental wellness, mediation, and stress reduction. Desireé is an international makeup artist and Licensed Esthetician. She also holds a B.S. in Nutrition and has an MBA. desireedelia.com 

What inspired you to start your business?  

I was inspired to leave the 9-5 lifestyle because it just wasn’t working for me anymore. Every time I would get to my desk, I would feel a little piece of me die inside. I really didn’t want to be working for someone else’s dream anymore.  

Where is your business based?  

Primarily New York City but I travel worldwide for clients. 

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

The beauty industry can be tough and can feel intimidating especially with the makeup artist market being oversaturated and everyone so talented. I started by volunteering my time at NYU Film school so I can gain experience of doing makeup and hair for movies as well as building a network. At the time I was still working a full-time job I wasn’t happy with so I joined meet-up groups, went to brand events, and would advertise my services on Groupon.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

Word of mouth and assisting another artist who is working the jobs I aspire to book. 

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

One of my biggest challenges has been learning myself and really sitting with my own discomfort and accepting it. Doing the shadow work is never easy but I felt it was necessary in order to move forward in my life with full and unconditional acceptance of myself and my previous choices.

How do you stay focused? 

I stay focused by keeping my eye on the prize. I really try to step back and look at the bigger picture. I also have an incredible group of supportive people in my life who really help keep me going.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition? 

I don’t compete! I think we all offer our own unique insight and there is room for all of us to shine.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?  

Offering my assistant service to other disciplines in the beauty industry. I not only do makeup and facials for my own clients, but I help other artists with their clients as well which has given me in a sense an assistant business at the same time. 

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?  

Just keep going! I think a lot of the time we hold ourselves back because we either feel unworthy or we are afraid we may fail but there is so much power in trusting ourselves!! When you believe you can have it, you’ll be surprised by how fast the opportunities will come. What you are seeking is seeking you.  

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why? 

My favorite book is the Gradual Awakening by Stephen Levine. Published in the ’80s, this book was given to me about 10 years ago by a friend who saw I was lost in my life. It’s a book for deep healing and growth. It’s how I started my mediation practice and cravings for more out of my life. 

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?  

Networking and meeting new people who are like-minded. Throwing yourself into focus groups in your niche. In the beauty business word of mouth and referral are huge so being out there and present and supportive in the community has led to greater opportunities for me. A project may not line up this week or next month but 3-6 months down the line it might.

Who is your business role model? Why?

I don’t focus on one person per se. I look up to all the successful business owners out there who have found their way of carving out their path and finding the ways to make it sustainable and lucrative.

How do you balance work and life?  

This is not always easy because when I’m working on something, I’m really excited about I tend to go all in and put the blinders on knowing full well this choice is not doing right by myself. Recently with the pandemic, over the past 5 months, I’ve really slowed down and started living every day for that day as it is. Using discretion and following my intuition when it’s telling me to not always push. Rest, moderation, and allowing myself to really flow with the ebbs and flows in life without feeling guilty.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

Nurturing myself! Meditation, going walking in nature, and being on the beach. 

What do you have planned for the next six months? 

In the next 6 months professionally I’ll be diving further into my esthetics practice and building a presence in the bridal beauty market as well as more on-camera beauty. Personally, I will be enjoying the moment and allowing the path to unfold while looking for a new home in a new city and exploring vegan philanthropy, and spending time with animals at the sanctuary.

How can our readers connect with you?

Readers can connect with me on Instagram desireedeliamua

a or they can email me desiree@desireedeliamua.com