Meet Rakia Smith | Makeup Artist & Social Media Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rakia Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rakia, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Taking chances is one of the most crucial ways of helping me advance in skills and gaining experience. My biggest risk was stepping out on faith and moving away from what made me comfortable. I knew that in order for me to change and grow my business I needed to experience more. Moving wasn’t easy but it was worth it. I am grateful for my supportive family.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My name is Rakia Smith, I first found love and passion for art at a very young age growing up in Japan. I was heavily influenced by art, colors and new experiences being raised in that culture allowed me to see life big and allowed me to dream bigger. My passion for makeup came about in high school when my best friend didn’t have the same experiences for makeup as her friends because she had a darker skin toned. From then on out I always wanted to do makeup and cater to the darker toned woman so they wouldn’t feel left out. From then on, I became multicultural, I’ve done weddings, parties, shows and magazine covers. My journey wasn’t always easy, before moving to Atlanta I moved to Orlando to try my luck and it didn’t work out there, so I moved back to my hometown in Jacksonville Florida. I knew I needed a change, and I needed help, and I started calling around asking my successful family members for help and advice. They gave me a vision and I ran with the dream. Since then, I never looked back and continued my education and started school. I dealt with self-doubt, anxiety, & imposter syndrome. The more I was blessed with things and grew my circle the more I felt like I didn’t deserve to be here, and things didn’t feel real. To overcome these emotions, I had to continue to seek wealth and knowledge and surround myself with like-minded individuals. I had to outgrow my past ways of thinking and be the change I wish I saw growing up. I had to continue my story because I know that there are little black girls looking up to me and I do this to set an example of black excellence.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well First I would start off with a fun lit brunch at Cafe Circa

Followed up with a fun pole dance exercise at Pink Poles Studio

May walk lennox or cumberland mall

then go to The battery for Wine and drinks and mexican food @ superica.

then maybe stop by a hookah lounge to end the night.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Latricia Bass CEO at Essential Medical Coding, LLC – My aunt supported my decision and got me connected very well in Atlanta. She motivated me to go to school and take up social media Branding & Marketing, which is how I started my career in Becoming a Social media content creator.

Jarvis Releford CEO at Brand New Consulting Group – Jarvis was the first photographer in Atlanta who took me under his wings and allowed me to grow under his business. I am His makeup artist for most of his shoots and we’ve been working together almost 2 years now.

Also, should out to my dad for always believing in me and supporting my dreams.

Website: http://rsglamfix.as.me

Instagram: RSGlamFix

Linkedin: Rakia Smith

Facebook: Rakia Smith Mua

Other: Tiktok rakiathemua