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

Hi Shamika, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
I do have my days where I get off of work and decide I can’t do this anymore. What I notice about those days that I say that, are days that I feel were challenging because my baby had to come to work with me that day, or I feel like I could’ve done this or that differently. Once I noticed that it’s just “those” days, I realize I have to keep going because this is something I truly love and find peace in doing. My clients who have been with me for years, clients who tell me they’ve been waiting to get in my chair, returning clients…they all keep me going.

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.
When I was younger, I actually use to sketch and draw a lot. You can say I always had an artistic side. What I love to tell my clients is that I never had an interest in makeup or even being girly for that matter. I was a tomboy. In 2012 I went to hair school because I thought that was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. We had to look the part for school, so that’s where the makeup started. I was pregnant in my mom’s kitchen getting my cousin and classmates ready for prom with makeup and hair. I made house calls to do makeup with no extra charge. There was a time I even went to the high school to do makeup for a few girls for their senior photos. When I started, there weren’t as many makeup artists as there are today. It is indeed more challenging today because of that fact. The best way you can stay relevant is to stay true to who are you and stick to your style; most importantly, find or do things that will set you apart. I truly believe it’s my personality and my spirit that allows me to stick out, and those are words from my clients as well. What I am most proud of is my journey, how far I’ve come in my craft, and persevering while being a mother. I want the world to know that I really love what I do, and I can’t wait to have many others experience that feeling with me!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, I am honestly not someone who gets out too much neither do I love a crowd. Jeanerette is a very small city but there is a nice spot called Ballers, where we can swing out and have drinks. Everything else is pretty much in Lafayette like hookah lounges, night clubs etc. I love Half Shell Oyster House. It’s a restaurant with a nice, chill atmosphere. Brunch on Sunday is a must! Stacy’s is pretty much the only brunch spot I’ve been to so far though, ha!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
If I could shoutout anyone, it would most definitely be Tavoris “T-Mac” Marks, the Head Honcho and owner of Macnificent Kutz barbershop where I work. He probably saw more in me than I did in myself. When he reached out to me about working in his shop, I really thought it was a joke. I didn’t take the opportunity seriously until he started mapping out my room/workspace that he would have built for me. His floor plan was a pretty open space, nothing sectioned off or anything. For him to go out of his way and create a personal space for myself and my clients, in a full blown barbershop with only men, that’s dope to me. His actions are beyond words. Before starting my journey in the shop, I had clients coming in and out of my home which started to get overwhelming. It’s truly been a blessing to be a part of the Macnificent Kutz family since 2019.

Website: Meekmadethebrand.as.me

Instagram: Meekmade.thebrand

Facebook: MeekMade TheBrand

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