Meet Dina Marie of Dina Marie Makeup

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dina Marie.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
When I was around 35, I was recently divorced with 2 children. I had no job or real working skills but I needed to do something. So, I decided to go to school for cosmetology because I knew a little about styling hair and thought it would be fun to do. About 2 years later, I graduated and began my career as a licensed hairstylist. I wanted to be the best stylist in the industry, so I took every class and training I could possibly take. Not only did I develop my skills as a hairstylist, I learned the business side as well which laid the foundation for where I am today.

At the height of the recession in 2009, salons were closing left and right including the salon I was working in at that time. Once the salon closed, I decided to never go through that experience again; putting my career in someone else’s hand. So, I venture out and started my own business. I became a freelance makeup and hair artist. In the beginning, I worked with local photographers and models providing makeup and hair services for their photoshoots and fashion shows. Those gigs were not paid jobs, I did it all for free. But I didn’t mind because I knew that it was helping me reach my goal.

As my reputation for creating clean pretty looks grew, I began working with local magazines, production companies, producers and artists. As time went by I started to feel like I needed something more rewarding and gratifying.

Working with models, artists and producers, wasn’t really my scene and it didn’t give me real gratification. So, I took a step back to really think about what I wanted to do in my business. What was going to be my focus. I really wasn’t for sure so I took a class on business branding for freelance beauty artists. It was in that class I realize that weddings were the thing for me. I thought…how amazing would it be to help the average woman look glamorous and beautiful on a day when it really matters, her wedding day. So, I began branding myself as a wedding makeup and hair artist. In a short amount of time, I was busy every weekend with weddings. I’ve done small and large weddings and enjoyed them all. A Wedding is a very special and important time in a person’s life. It is a day they will cherish and always remember. Being able to help brides look and feel their most beautiful self on that day, is truly gratifying and rewarding for me. There is nothing like a bride giving you a huge hug and thank you for helping to make their day even more special by making them look good. I love working with brides and hope to continue to do so for many years to come.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No, it has not been a smooth road. In the beginning, I did not have money. I was on a shoe-string budget and I refused to take out loans because I did not want to have any debts in my business. Since I was broke I had to be a one-woman show sort of speak. I did not have money to hire a lawyer to help me set my business structure, or an accountant to do my bookkeeping and taxes or a business advisor to help me figure out the business stuff. I had to do it all on my own. So, I took what little money I had and put it towards things that would help me operate my business such as accounting software and business management tools. I also relied on the internet a lot! The internet was pretty much my business advisor and I didn’t have to pay for it…well I had to pay for the internet service. But you get what I’m saying!

Another struggle was marketing my business. As we all know, social media is the way to go for marketing your business for free. This was right up my alley…free marketing and advertising…woohoo! However, it wasn’t easy. I learned very quickly that social media was another full-time job within my already existing jobs and I wasn’t good at it. I had to learn how to use social media to grow my business. So, I searched the internet and consulted with my older children to learn about social media. My children were teenagers at the time so of course, they knew all about social media. At first, I didn’t get it but I never gave up and soon I was able to use social media to gain new and keep old clients for my business.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Dina Marie Makeup – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Dina Marie Makeup is an on-site wedding makeup and hair company. We provide airbrush makeup, traditional makeup and hair styling services for brides, their family and friends. We specialize in beauty looks that enhance a person’s natural features while keeping them looking like themselves, but better.

I am most proud of the reputation my company has maintained throughout the years. I believe what sets us apart from other wedding makeup and hair companies is our customer service. We always do our best to go above and beyond what our clients expect. There have been times where we stay longer than what we were paid for just to help the bride feel more special. Other times we had to step in and be the photographer when a bride’s photographer didn’t show up to take her getting ready photos. For us, it’s not just about making a bride look good, it’s about making the bride happy on her wedding day. If she needs help with something and we are able to help, then we are going to be there for her.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I looking to expand my business and create a team of great wedding makeup and hair artists. Right now, I have one artist who is fabulous. So hopefully I can find several more like her.