Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirstin K Williams.
Kirstin K, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Born in Baltimore City Maryland, I grew up in the suburbs of Baltimore and Howard County, Maryland. As a young girl, I was always fascinated with art in all forms, and this reflected in my artistic ability. As I grew older, my curiosity lead to my interest in the art of Makeup. In 2018, my mother, Tarnisha Allen gifted me my first makeup kit including all of the most recent eyeshadow palettes and brush sets. That year set off the activation of my makeup creativity. For a year straight, I used my free time to self-teach and practice my craft while also making the bold decision to use my social platforms to share my art.
Consistently between 2018 – 2019, I attempted and created new makeup/eyeshadow looks on my Instagram Live. Attending high school in a fairly small county, I noticed the impact and influenced that my platform created for my business countywide. Though there were many that didn’t support me, and negatively spoke on my work, I still kept putting my passion out there because it is was brought me joy. In 2020, I made the decision to start taking models and clients. I created my first business page, and The MUA Kay was born. Starting from the bottom with no one-on-one classes taken, not many followers, and one year of self-experience, definitely impacted my encouragement to continue. In 2021, my business hit its peak in Maryland statewide. I founded my first cosmetic and crystal beauty line called Angelxthebrand.
As a senior in high school, I began to gain up to 5 clients a week on a busy month. After graduating high school, I was accepted into Clark Atlanta University. Transitioning my business from home to Atlanta actually turned out to be more successful than I imagined. The support that I instantly experienced at Clark Atlanta could not be compared to Maryland. By simply keeping my social platform active, and posting flyers around campus, I witnessed the growth of clients and the exposure of my business. Before I knew it, people were recognizing me as The MUA Kay in public settings on campus. Going into the summer of 2022, I went into a creative break while I obtained the position of a Beauty Advisor at Sephora, where I gained my certification. Once the summer was over, beginning my second year at Clark Atlanta, my business was rebranded to TMKartistry. I continued to have a flow of clients throughout my fall semester and was nominated by student body as “The Makeup Artist of Fall 2022 – 2023”. This accomplishment and many others ignited the start to the founding of TMKartistry LLC, created in January 2023.
As a second-semester Sophomore majoring in Business Administration, concentrating in management, I am gaining the knowledge necessary to continue to take my business to the next level. With this, I created my second cosmetics and beauty line, TMKBeauty, founded by TMKartistry LLC. My newest line drops on April 20th, 2023 and will include Plumping Lip Oil, Colored Lip Glosses, Mink Lashes, & my first Eyeshadow Palette. Students of the Atlanta University Center will have direct access to purchasing TMKBeauty on its release date. It amazes me to think of how far I’ve come and grown in my passion. I plan to continue my education at Clark Atlanta University, finish, and expand my cosmetic and makeup artistry business across Atlanta and many other major cities. I thank God for my God-given talent and I wish to positively impact each client and customer throughout the growth of my calling.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some of my biggest challenges faced throughout the beginning of my journey included the negative response of those through social media. Throughout high school, during my start to gaining community exposure, there were those that cyberbullied or gave negative comments/opinions on me expressing my passion. I could of let all of the negativity I experienced through social media lead me to give up, but I allowed it to motivate me and go harder.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Certified Makeup Artist of five years and the Founder of TMKArtistry LLC, a beauty and makeup artistry service. I am also the CEO of the recent TMKBeauty, founded by TMKAtristry LLC. I specialize in Natural Soft to Full glams on people of color. My mission as a Makeup Artist is to positively impact all those that sit in my chair by enhancing their beauty while allowing it to be embraced. The Mission of TMKArtistry LLC is to dissolve the beauty standards and differences of the Black community while aiming to spread the confidence of self-love and self-embrace. Emphasizing the need to love oneself in one’s own skin, with or without makeup.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I believe that risk taking in revolutionary. Taking a leap of faith is was has gotten me to where I am today in my business. I believe that when God places anything on your heart, anything that brings you peace and genuine joy, you should go after it and walk by faith, not by sight. God is intentional and you never know where taking the positive risk will take you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @TMKArtistryllc @tmkbeautyatl
Image Credits
@Larrywitdalenz
