Today we’d like to introduce you to Aysha Williams.
Hi Aysha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love for makeup and all things beauty began between the ages of 5-7 when I would watch my older sister getting ready for the day and would sneak into her makeup when she left the house. A child’s desires turned into teenage dreams, and I started doing my own makeup at the age of 14 when I was a freshman in high school. My best friend at the time spent the night at my house and left an eye shadow palette behind when she went home. I kept it and started to use it along with YouTube tutorials to learn makeup applications. I became so intrigued I would run home after school each day to watch more tutorials, sometimes skipping my homework to do so. People at school started to compliment me and ask where I got my makeup done, so much so that I was asked to do a friend’s makeup for her senior prom. This was my first client. After that, more friends started to ask me to do theirs. I would buy products that I could afford and use them to continue growing my skills. I got my first official job in the industry when I started working at Bare Minerals as a senior in high school. I learned how to apply makeup for a diverse clientele. I also learned how to make an impact with excellent customer service and people skills. I was also able to build my first makeup kit there. I was let go from this job and freelanced until I was hired at MAC in the summer of 2015. Dressed in all black, I walked into MAC one day to ask if they were hiring and if the manager was there and was interviewed then hired on the spot. MAC sent me off to be trained, and I learned a great deal while working for the brand. I was able to build an even better makeup kit while working with them. What I loved most was working with diverse black clients. I was also let go from MAC as well, so I took it as a sign to start on my own. From there, I started booking clients strictly from word of mouth. I got an extra job working for T-Mobile to supplement my income but ended with them after four months. I made the decision that I had to pursue my craft on my own and took my talents to social media to showcase what I could do.
My social media presence increased, and I began working with Harlan Beaux Photography. He really took me under his wing, introduced me to a lot of people in Chattanooga, and let me use his studio for free. He saw how driven I was and took on a father figure role in my life. With his help and my belief in myself, I created the brand, Eclectic Beauty and poured all my heart into it. I started working at a salon with other hairstylists and MUAs. I was booked every weekend just from my social media presence alone. In 2017, I went to esthetician school to add new skills to my brand services. This is the year I hosted two classes that really took my brand to the next level. I launched my first ever in-person makeup class and also launched my first traveling makeup class that I hosted in Hawaii. In 2018, I attended a microblading class in LA and was certified that July, adding microblading to my services as well. I got my own place at 21 then ended moving back in with my mom for two years before considering moving away from Chattanooga after attending various events and networking in Atlanta, realizing it was the place for me if I wanted to grow my brand. I applied for an esthetician job in Atlanta that I was referred to, interviewed, got the job, then let everyone know I was moving. I made a Facebook post stating I was seeking a roommate situation for my move and was offered a room to rent at the home of someone I met at a makeup class. So, I packed a small U-Haul and moved to Atlanta in 2019.
In 2019, I booked my first celebrity client – Kron Moore, from the hit show Oval on BET. I stayed committed to my plan and continued networking – meeting with new photographers, artists, and stylists. Networking in Atlanta really inspired me to stay focused. That same year, I signed to Teknique Agency, a makeup agency I loved. I began working at Beauty Worth Billions salon in 2020. At the time, I was still driving back and forth to Chattanooga to support my clientele there. After I started growing more and more clientele in the shop, I was able to focus on my Atlanta clients and stop driving to Chattanooga. Then, the pandemic hit. I established my brand, The Beauty Pro, in 2019/2020 during the pandemic while I had time to sit, think, and rebrand. When the pandemic started in 2020, it hit the beauty industry hard, but I never let it stop me. I was handing out business cards at places that were still open and would DM people on social media to have them sit in my chair. While everything was shut down, I had no choice but to sit with myself and evaluate things. This started my healing process. I began meditating, self-healing, understanding my purpose, and learning myself on a deeper, more intimate level. After the restrictions were lifted, I launched my first 5-day virtual class and taught the attendees about beauty and business, makeup, and healing/personal growth.
I kept picking up traction in the city and at Beauty Worth Billions salon where I met more creatives in the influencer industry. I started working with them on sets. Around this time, I met Kash Doll’s manager, and he went on to refer me to Kash Doll. I’ve worked with Johnni Blaze as well. I met Keon; Missy Elliott’s manager and did her makeup, and she loved my work so much that I would go on from that relationship to being able to work with Missy herself. I also went on to book my first out-of-the-country photoshoot where I was flown out, all expenses paid. I was able to connect with other entrepreneurs and establish new relationships. I cannot wait to return the favor to other up-and-coming artists one day. After that, I began getting into more editorial portfolio work. In 2021, I booked my first out-of-the-country wedding. I look back, and I’m so grateful. I am ready to see things continue to go up from here.
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?
The road hasn’t been smooth, but it has been eye-opening. I have learned a lot about myself and life’s struggles. I’ve learned how to not lose myself by following the crowd. I have funded my journey without outside help, so everything was out of pocket for me. This taught me a lot about financial responsibility. There can be a lot of smoke and mirrors in the industry. I had to learn to see through the façade. I learned to lead and be my own authentic self while also balancing life relationships with the hard work and focus it takes to thrive in this industry. I’ve also had to learn to stay rooted and mentally grounded. I operate in ethical practices, keeping my personal standards for my work high so I stay in my best. When there is more for me to give, I lean in and elevate.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a makeup artist (MUA) who specializes in all things beauty. I am most proud of my relationship with God, my strength not to quit, and my willingness to keep going. I would say my personality sets me apart. I thrive in being real, true, and authentic no matter who I am around. I have to be real with my journey and maintain transparency. This is one of the biggest reasons I incorporated sunflowers into my branding. They signify my healing journey and the obstacles I had to grow through. They signify positivity and loyalty. I try to remain positive daily and loyal to myself and the plan. I do this for myself and maintain transparency so that others know it is possible for them as well.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Opportunities are endless in Atlanta for the black community. There are so many successful black people and so many opportunities that the black community has created for one another. Seeing that anything is possible for people like me is one of the best things about this city. People really are willing to open the door for you, and that’s comforting. They are willing to put you in the right spaces. The culture and the beauty industry here are vibrant. I’m grateful to be here. I don’t really have any dislikes. I like to focus on the good that is working for this city and what magnificent things this city has to offer.
Pricing:
- Makeup $125
- On set/Travel Makeup $250
- Microshading/Ombre brows $350
- Seed to Sunflower Webinar $97
- Make Me Pro 1:1 Beginner Techniques $547
Contact Info:
- Email: aysharandolph@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.thebeautypro.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aysha_tbp/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randolphaysha/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/Pda8brqYq6w
Image Credits:
@bdotwilkins @kashdoll @jennyvi @shotbykingj @jayshotya @itsmakenziet @eboneedavis
