Meet Makaela King

Today we’d like to introduce you to Makaela King.

Hi Makaela, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I found my love for lashes in the 12th grade. Spring of 2019 . I made sure to wear them and include them in my everyday life. I eventually started to notice how many of my peers around me also wore them, so I decided to turn it into a side hustle and sell good quality lash strips for reasonable prices such as $5-$7 dollars. As the months went by my freshman year in college clientele started to pick up. I then decided that I wanted to take it further than just lash strips. I watched videos and did research on lash extensions and materials that were great to use on clients. Also, tutorial videos on starting a business as a beginning lash tech. I began gathering materials and everything needed and used my friends for practice. Yes, there were plenty of times that I have failed or didn’t do something correct but it was all a learning process. The more people I practiced on the more comfortable I became with the craft. Once I knew I had it down packed, I began charging very little such as $40 for my lash sets, just to help bring in clientele. As the clientele expanded and my work improved, I was introduced to better materials and resources to help me as a now certified lash tech. I received my certification at the Hudson Academy in Marietta, GA. Once I completed the course, I became way more confident in being a lash tech. Now I am in a position to make other women genuinely feel great about themselves! I love seeing my clients smile after receiving service from me, whether it’s getting lash strips, buying my custom lash shampoo, or receiving my lash extensions service.

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?
No, it has not been a smooth road. One of my main obstacles that came with being in the beauty industry was building clientele. Some days would be good and some would be bad, that also came with me learning how to be consistent with branding and putting myself out there on all social media. Also, another struggle that came with me being a beginner lash technician was finding a place to complete the service, my home was not always an option so I used to travel to my clients to not only make it convenient for them but for me as well.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Being a lash technician, when it comes to lashes, it is more than just that… it’s a craft, it’s art, it’s something that brings out my creativity within myself. I specialize in my wispy sets! They are an all-time favorite. Most of my clientele enjoys them especially when there is color involved. During this evolution of me growing with my business something I have been most proud of is my consistency, dedication & determination. I no longer second guess myself and believe that everything is possible as long as you believe it to be. The time and effort as well as research that I put into knowing my products and getting to know my different clients is what I would say sets me apart from everyone else. A lash technician can be a friend and a therapist all in one! I also believe that my clients deserve to have the best materials used known to my knowledge.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I have always been the joy in the room, as my family say there is never a “dull moment “ when I am around. I’m an all around goofy person. I love to have a good laugh. Comedy growing up was something that had my interest at a point of time, but there were also times I would catch myself finding the beauty in things whether it was hair, nails, clothes, etc. When I was in the 5th grade, I began cheering it become a passion at a point in time, the sisterhood and bonds that were built were like no other. The adrenaline during games and hearing crowds cheer your team on was a joy that couldn’t be replaced. I stopped cheering when I was a junior in high school, I then decided that I wanted to try something new such as majorette dance. I danced for two years, dancing was like an escape for me when I felt like everything else was falling apart.

Image Credits:
Photographer Instagram @Shotbykae_