Today we’d like to introduce you to Olaoluwa Olasimbo.
Hi Olaoluwa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started doing makeup as a hobby in 2016, during my senior year of high school. My hobby turned into a business called “Fits and Faces” the next year at Howard University. During that time, I was new to a school located in such a lively area and that is well-known for its groundbreaking history, network, and eventful student life. I needed to find a way to bring in income to sustain myself, and that is where I saw opportunity.
Fast-forward 6 years, I became a Head Makeup Artist in Howard University’s first modeling organization (HU Elite Models), participated as a makeup artist and production aide in both the 2019 NYFW Art Hearts Fashion Show and the 2019 DC Fashion Week show, hired as a makeup artist for various photoshoots for fashion brands, as well as built a steady client base in the DMV area.
Initially, my business was just a way to make money and maintain my college lifestyle. However, having these experiences and getting to know my clients has given my brand purpose. This year, I renamed the brand “Laolu” after myself. “Laolu” represents everything I stand for which is helping people make the connections between beauty and health, all the while encouraging confidence, faith, and grace.
I graduated from Howard in 2021 and moved to Atlanta to obtain my Master’s degree at Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health. In this city, I see the same opportunity to expand my business that I saw my freshmen year at Howard University.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have definitely encountered some obstacles along the way.
When starting my business, I had a huge problem recognizing what opportunities to prioritize. At Howard, I was a full-time college student running a full-time business, while trying to start a non-profit and keep up with the campus organizations I was a part of. I came across many opportunities that could have really elevated my makeup business. However, I constantly had to pass to fulfill one of my other responsibilities. Although I am grateful for these experiences, I think that it really stunted the growth of my makeup business being that my focus was in many different places at the same time.
I literally tried to do it all and was constantly on go, which made it hard to recognize when to REST. As a Nigerian woman and the only child of immigrant parents, I inherently make it my mission to chase every opportunity that comes my way. I was raised on the notion that resilience and determination are important keys to success. But how important is achieving that success when you burn out trying to get there? Now I try to be more intentional with prioritizing and incorporating rest into my routine. That way, when it’s time for me to start up again, I can put in my best efforts with a refreshed mind and body.
Lastly, I didn’t have a solid foundation of my brand’s mission. I changed it often to fit others’ expectations. Eventually, I realized that the only expectations I needed to meet and exceed were my own. That is why I named my brand Laolu. Every aspect of my brand now represents me and what I stand for. It’s like yes, I want my work to be seen… but in the way that I am proud of, not what best fits the current trend.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Currently, I am pursuing my Master’s degree in public health, working full-time for a Fortune 500, and running my makeup business. It seems like a lot, but everything I am doing is connected. I use the information I learn from my graduate program and job to spread health care awareness through my platform as a makeup artist and content creator.
The health care industry is so complex, and many of those complexities have major consequences, most of which affect minority communities. I want to ensure that when Black and Brown people walk into hospitals, they can not only receive and afford quality care but also understand how to maintain their health. This is done with knowledge and information.
So my job as a public health student and health care worker is to obtain that knowledge. My job as a beauty entrepreneur is to spread that knowledge while doing something I love.
Laolu is a brand that ties together all of my passions. It is authenticity carried by grace, health sustenance for minority communities, and simply having faith in myself and in God.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I believe risk is inevitable. To keep moving in life, you have to experience change and change requires risk.
I am definitely a risk taker. I love to see how new things could potentially work out. Risk can be uncomfortable because you’re walking into the unknown… as in there’s no certainty. But you never know what impact you can have by taking a risk. I took a risk when starting my makeup business because I didn’t know if people would like my work and when starting a non-profit because I didn’t know if I was fit to be a leader. The last major risk I took was moving to a new city (Atlanta) where I barely knew anyone to attend a grad school where I barely knew a thing.
The risks I have taken so far have made an impact on myself and my community that is larger than what I could’ve ever imagined. I’ve been able to serve so many people, and most importantly, spread awareness about health care from the lessons I am learning in graduate school and through my platform as a beauty entrepreneur.
Pricing:
- Natural Glam – $75
- Soft Glam – $80
- Full Glam – $90
- Editorial/ Creative Glam – $100+
Contact Info:
- Email: laoluthemua@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laoluthemua/
Image Credits:
Mesus Studios (my picture, pink dress) Lex Lanez (Howard grad picture) HU Elite Models (girl with rose petals) One and Dunn Boutique (picture with green background) Designed By CM (girl in white jumpsuit)
