Today we’d like to introduce you to Francesca Shaw.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As a little girl, I loved watching my mom and grandma do their make-up, get their hair done, and dress up for any occasion. Once it was my turn to get my hair done and start wearing lip gloss there was no turning back. The beauty industry has always been a passion, but getting to this point of being my full-time career was not easy. After high school, I went to college pursuing a degree in Mathematics instead of going to cosmetology school as I wanted. I didn’t believe I was “good enough” to be working in the beauty industry. During those 2.5 years at the university, I became depressed and did not understand why I was not happy with my life. Finally, I chose to withdraw and move back home. That experience taught me so much about what it means to believe in yourself and go after what it is you are truly passionate about or at least enjoy. Years later I went to cosmetology school and became a licensed cosmetologist. Then received my bachelor’s degree in Women’s Leadership. God can do anything! I was able to turn my life around and become a woman I never saw myself becoming. And I can now be thankful for the journey that brought me to where I am. My personal experience with depression is where FASE 1 Studio came from. Healing is the first phase of being fancy.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not been a smooth road. My biggest struggle along the way was trusting and believing in myself. Even though I had supporters and everyone telling me I can do it, I needed to believe it. It took me a while to get here, but I have arrived and looking forward to what’s to come.
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?
I am a professional make-up artist and licensed cosmetologist specializing in everyday make-up applications and facial waxing. Recently, I have been trained in permanent makeup, so I am now offering brow lamination, henna, ombre tattoo brows, and eyelash extensions. Being able to show women that they can love their imperfections is what I’m most proud of. Once you learn to love all of you, you become someone so much more beautiful that radiates joy from the inside. That’s what sets me apart from others. I want women to heal and love themselves. I enjoy teaching and giving product recommendations to women who want to take their look to the next level.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I love encouraging others to take a risk and see the outcomes; however, I struggle with taking my own risks. Recently, I have been taking more risks and seeing for myself what the outcome could be. The risk I’ve taken in the last year is moving back to Atlanta and starting my business here. It took a few months to actually announce I was going into business for myself after filing it, but when I did announce it, it was like a breath of fresh air.
Contact Info:
- Email: francesca@fase1studio.com or booking@fase1studio.com
- Website: www.fase1studio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fase1studio/
- Facebook: https://business.facebook.com/fase1studio
Image Credits
Tiffany Hughes Jatoya Lanisha Glenda Johnson
