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

Hi Sanei, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I was about 14 years old, I found a love for makeup. I asked my mom to buy me a bunch of makeup products so I could practice and be better at it. At the age of 15-16, I started going to sweet 16 parties. I would always get my makeup done at Sephora, and I told myself that I could definitely do this work on my own! So that’s what I did. Eventually, I started to become better and better with practice. My older sister went to a bunch of parties and outings and she always asked me if I could do her makeup. From that moment I realized that not only do I enjoy doing makeup on myself, but I enjoy doing makeup on other people! It started to go from my sister, to my mom, to my best friend, and that’s when I realized I could make money off of doing something I loved. I hated working retail, and I’m sure many people agree with that. As a teenager that’s the only job you could really get. So, I worked at Staples while simultaneously trying to get traction for my makeup business so eventually that could be the only job I had. Although I’m still not at that point of being lucky enough to only do makeup as my primary income, and I am 21 years old, its still a dream I work towards and will continue to work towards because I love it so much.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m an artist, and my canvas is the face! I provide quality makeovers for an affordable price, and Im excited to just grow in this industry and continue to learn new things about makeup! The journey definitely hasn’t been easy, exposure is the hardest part when you’re starting small! I’m still working to overcome that hurdle by being more present on social media and getting awareness out about my brand.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I haven’t lived in ATL that long, and I don’t have many friends here to show me around, but a place I have gone to have a good time is definitely UBar. It was a calm vibe, and I had a bunch of fun for my 21st birthday. I’d definitely take my best friend there for a nice vibe. For food, we would go to the Breakfast Club. They have really good brunch! Something that I haven’t done but want to do is visit the aquarium. I hear its big and beautiful, so we would definitely go there as well!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate my shoutout to my sister, my mom, and my best friend Symphony. They are the three people who have maintained consistent with me in this journey and have continuously let me practice my makeup skills on them. My mom also paid for courses for me so I could learn from other makeup artists. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the three of them believing in me!

Website: saneionthebeat.as.me

Instagram: @saneionthebeat

Other: TikTok: @sanei.ann

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