A Real Talk on Chasing Dreams and Smashing Goals - EVEN in times of self doubt.
Buckle up 'cause we're diving deep into the heart and soul of an entrepreneurial journey that's all about breaking the mould, empowering woman, and living life on your own freakin' terms.
SO, let me introduce you to SARAH
Sarah is a bridal hair and make up artist based in Durban, South Africa. Her Business is called ‘GLOW’ HMUA & I think by the end of this you’ll know why the name is a PERFECT fit.
This isn’t your typical success story; it's a raw, real-deal convo with a woman who turned passion into a reality.
The Spark That Lit the Fire
So, what kick-started this journey into being a Hair and Make-up Artist? Sarah got real with us saying it was all about seeing women learn to love themselves. "I wanted to encourage them to see themselves the way other people see them," she shared, that is where her love for the industry was birthed.
It’s evolved over the years as to what she does specifically within this space but laying down the foundation of her biz in an industry that's all about boosting confidence and self-love really motivated her to keep on going and eventually breaking free from the 9-5 grind. She grabbed life by the reins, becoming the leader of her finances, schedule, and future. Talk about goals, right?
Bouncing Back Like a Boss
When asked about those early grind days and the hurdles, she didn't sugarcoat it.
The game-changer? Her mental health.
Being her own boss meant she could hit pause, breathe, and give herself that extra bit of grace on the tough days.
"You struggle internally with this feeling of being unproductive," she admitted, but overcoming that mindset was key to taking control and pushing forward, no longer chained to societal expectations or a desk.
For Sarah, her biggest challenge was something that happened 3 years ago. She had been going through a lot within her 9-5 that was weighing her down mentally and emotionally.
Then LIFE decided that wasn’t enough for her plate and she ended up having two back to back clients that HATED their hair. ‘I was a wreck,’ she says. ‘I was hysterically trying to figure out with the colour technician, how this was even possible.’ She felt like a failure, for not being able to do their hair the way they had hoped. She felt like she sucked. She wanted to just flee the country, remove herself for all social media and just pretend she didn’t exist. It’s safe to say that this took her to an all time low but was it the push she needed to think deeper?
Two weeks later she announced that she was taking a sabbatical from hair colour.
She took 4 months off doing hair and in that time she realised something that changed the direction of her path & ultimately - her life.
She realised that she really wanted to be a Bridal Hair and make-up artist - not just a hairdresser.
It’s moments and circumstances like this that can either become setbacks or opportunities. That negative situation became a stepping stone to her now successful, full time, business. To think that such talent like hers would now not be available if she had let that circumstance hold her back is mind baffling.
She goes on to say, ‘I now only do maybe two colour clients a month.’ That experience made her have to do some real soul searching and deal with things like imposter syndrome and accept that she isn’t perfect - and THAT’S OKAY.
Keeping It 100 on Social
Connecting with her audience wasn't about flashy logos or acting like a faceless brand. Nah, it was all about being 100% herself on social media. "I think you lose a lot of the personality when you do that," she said, she has connected with people on a way deeper level by keeping it real and letting her unique vibe attract clients who are more like friends than customers. "No one needs that AWKWARD silence on their wedding day," we joked, highlighting the importance of vibing with clients from the get-go.
Vulnerability breeds community
The Competitive Edge? Inclusivity
Facing the cutthroat world of entrepreneurship, Sarah had a completely different view on it all and decided to flip the script on competition. "There's more than enough work going around," she stated, focusing on creating a more inclusive environment and hyping up fellow artists. This approach not only set her apart but also fostered a sense of community over rivalry, proving that lifting others up can also elevate your own game.
Her intentional take on cultivating relationships in the industry has made her transition from an office, full of colleagues, to being on her own, so much easier - because the reality of entrepreneurship is that it can be lonely but if you intentionally seek inclusivity with others in the industry your vulnerability will breed community.
“The more inclusive you can be, the less competitive it starts to feel and that ultimately leads to growth for EVERYONE in the industry - not just you.”
That Leap of Faith
Talking about a daring decision that paid off, she shared the deets on organising her first creative styled shoot. Despite feeling like a small fish in a big pond, reaching out to top vendors led to an epic collaboration that was all kinds of fun and games, boosting her reputation and opening doors to new opportunities. "It actually created a space for everyone to express their creativity and be refreshed," she reflected, proving that sometimes, you just gotta shoot your shot and go for it.
Dropping Wisdom Bombs
For the dreamers out there, our entrepreneur had some solid advice: "Start your business as a side hustle," she suggested, emphasising the importance of building a reputable brand before diving in full-time. And when the going gets tough? Keep pushing, 'cause your passion and drive are your biggest allies.
Future Vibes
Looking ahead, the vision is clear: education, empowerment, and community upliftment. Sarah plans on launching online courses for hairstylists to brush up on their skill set or start learning from scratch. She also wants to help the entrepreneur by creating courses that teach about the business side of things focusing on things like tracking your bride, paying yourself a salary, taxes, etc.
With plans to launch an Academy following that, Sarah wants to ensure that within the academy there is room for sponsorships for people who are aspiring pros but don’t necessarily have the resources. Sarah is all about giving back and creating a legacy that goes beyond the biz.
"People can definitely support me by engaging with the content that I put online," she said and we are CALLING on the community to rally behind her vision. You can follow Sarah @glow_hmua to get involved and see how bright her future gets!
In wrapping up this real talk, it's evident that the entrepreneurial path isn’t just about chasing money; it's about chasing dreams, making an impact, and staying true to yourself every step of the way. This journey's a reminder that with passion, resilience, and a dash of audacity, you can turn the tide, make waves, and maybe, just maybe, change the world while you're at it.
