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

Hi Tynisha, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Everything I have done as an entrepreneur has been a risk. Taking a chance on myself has been the best part of the journey.

When I think of the risk of entrepreneurship, I immediately realize I had to make it happen! My first taste of entrepreneurship came when my ex-husband and I were fired in the same week. In such a situation, you can imagine I was in dire straits and rent had to be paid. It was then that I began as a resume writer. I had been working as an Office Manager for one of the most prominent federal resume writers in the world. So, with all that I learned I also launched my own resume writing firm. Since then, I have moved on to other entrepreneurial endeavors, including makeup artistry, photography, and a tutoring service.

From there, I moved to Atlanta and became one of the best makeup artists to ever do it. Bridal makeup, special effects (SFX) makeup, theatrical applications, tv, print, editorial – you name it, I can paint it! This is where I truly understood the up and downs of entrepreneurship. Every month won’t be a great month. Some months you may have to take out a loan or borrow to make ends meet. But through it all – I kept pushing and I did not stop whether I had $2.00 in my pocket or $2,000.00 in my pocket.

Entrepreneurship is innately risky. You are going against the grain that society promotes. Society, for the most part, says “get a job”. Entrepreneurs by nature say “I AM THE JOB!” There is conflict right there. Nonetheless, with every risk, there are rewards and/or repercussions. But in every instance you learn more and more about yourself and your craft. If I could speak to the new entrepreneur or the entrepreneur who is having second thoughts – ALWAYS bet on you. Even if you have to work a second job or find other ways to support yourself in the meanwhile, NEVER stop striving and pursuing after your entrepreneurial goals. Even if you take a break. – don’t ultimately give up.

God gives us different talents and gifts and it is up to us to steward those gifts well. When this life is all over may you be been found as having used your gifts often and having used them well. Entrepreneurship is often connected to those same gifts and talents. It’s just a way to make money while using your gifts and talents. Regularly, check in with yourself to ensure you are using the tools, talents, and gifts in the best way possible. That often looks like ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

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 would never say that becoming a great makeup artist is easy. There are certain techniques and strategies that you need to learn in order to be a proficient makeup artist. When I began as a makeup artist, I kind of dove headfirst period I had very little thought of how I would become a makeup artist, I just did it. I never focused on how I would go about securing clients.

Before becoming a makeup artist, I was an eyebrow and eyelash artist. But then I figured why not learn how to do an entire face. More face, more money. I began to experiment on friends and family, and from there I gained the necessary expertise to be trusted with the faces of several brides on one of the most important days of their lives. My reputation also allowed for several opportunities to work within corporate campaigns for companies such as Mazda, Napa, and Disney.

Initially, I would exchange my makeup artistry for photos of the models who were my clients. No pay, just pictures. They called this TFP (Time For Print) or TFCD (Time For CD) back in the day. Eventually I began to see that my Portfolio grew, and it became much better and so I began to charge clients. I began with $50 per face and I had maybe 10 regular clients. Fast forward years later and I have hundreds of clients whose faces I have touched and my price has definitely gone up.

My versatility is what separates me from most makeup artists. I have had the opportunity to work on movie sets, theatrical productions, reality TV shows, fashion and editorial photo shoots, hundreds of weddings, and an overwhelming number of individual applications for women who just want to look their best. I am skilled in beauty/bridal makeup and also special effect (SFX) makeup, including lacerations, burns, bullet wounds, and zombie like features.

Makeup artistry is thoroughly enjoyable because it allows me to unleash my creativity. It allows me to venture farther into my own imagination and pull out something spectacular. There were days when I had only $2.00 to my name but I still would show up at my makeup studio and give my all. And needless to say, my faithfulness to the craft resulted in great rewards.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in metro Atlanta so for sure we’d visit the Georgia Aquarium. No matter how many times I’ve gone, I love going. Even though I have flashbacks of the time I got stuck in their elevator and the fire department had to come rescue us. I forgive them…LOL.

We would visit the home of Martin Luther King and his memorial site. Gotta get in some history while were at it.

We’d visit all the HBCUs in the Atlanta University Center, including Spelman, Morehouse, and Clark Atlanta University. There is always something going on there.

We would have to hit Lenox Mall for all the high end stores like Gucci, Cartier, Coach, and Nieman Marcus. We may also have to go across the street to Phipps Plaza so we can peruse Marc Jacobs as well. A little shopping never hurt anyone .

Fogo De Chao is one of my favorite restaurants. You can eat steak until you bust!

Last, but not least, we’d make a short drive toward Savannah ending up at Tybee Island for some relaxation on the beach. Nothing like hearing and watching ocean waves crash against the shore.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Definitely Jesus! He is my rock.

My mother. Simply put if it had not been for her, I would have failed a long time ago.

My son. He does not know it, but he keeps me going.

Website: https://www.TheAtlantaMakeupArtist.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theatlantamakeupartist

Image Credits
Tynisha Lewis
1Woman1Camera

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