Meet Sophia Winston of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophia Winston.

Hi Sophia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Sophia Winston a lot of my work is Sophia Nava my original name. I started as a freelance makeup artist in Savannah Georgia where I moved to at the young age of 17 I started my makeup career at 19 years old after my first daughter. It was just a hobby on myself but like wildfire my friends wanted me to do their makeup and they constantly referred me. At 19 I knew absolutely nothing about marketing myself but I knew everything about making the money and being able to get a somewhat steady income flowing. I lost a lot of money and made a lot during this time frame business management would have benefited me nevertheless I kept going even when it felt hard. I was absolutely obsessed with MAC cosmetics during this time period I was 22 and walked into the MAC pro Store with a portfolio I made by printing all my editorial work. They were quite impressed so this introduced me to the life in Atlanta I would travel back and forth from Savannah to Atlanta for weddings and editorial work. Everything was going great until I got the wedding that really questioned if this is what I wanted to deal with constantly in Atlanta it was a massive wedding I was working the details out with the wedding coordinator which I think with just the amount of pressure they were under it was very unorganized. I hired a person to work with me during this wedding so we were done on time and everything just went left whatever you think could happen at a wedding that day it DID. This knocked me down so bad when I returned back to Savannah I stopped freelancing completely and Covid hit which MAC in Savannah shut down not too long after. A few months passed on Facebook I got a message from a Vietnamese lady saying to work with her on weddings with her team Sunkiss Makeup and Hair which commutes to Savannah and Atlanta. I was instantly like there is no way! But she insisted she was well coordinated and handles all the business part of the wedding plus she owns a nail salon. This had to be God showing me that in a time when it seems like there is absolutely no way he provides one. Even though it was Covid this lady suggested to apprentice her for my nail license until makeup is a thing again. I was like NO way I would feel bad for anyone who lets me polish them I would never do nails. Well fast forward 7 years I did waxing, eyelash lift and tints, makeup services, lashes, dip powder, mani/pedis, gel nails and facials. I managed this nail salon as well Perfect Polish on Wilmington island in Savannah Georgia. It was a journey that built more than a clientele but a support system I was financially stress free I could save money and my boss was so knowledgeable with successful businesses one of the kindest people I ever met we are today still great friends. I met my husband at 27 and he is originally from the Atlanta area. He became my best friend and my life partner. I appreciate all of his constant support. My husband after 2 years told me he wanted to spend some time with the family in Conyers Georgia. I have not moved from Savannah for over 12 years so this was a shock and I was very scared of the unknown or the thought of rebuilding a clientele even a support system. We did it packing up our island home we left for Atlanta I wanted to stay home and focus on our family as an entrepreneur it sounds good until you miss the creative opportunities or seeing others moving the speed you wish you were moving. I never compare myself to others my journey is different completely no person is the same. I wanted something to still stimulate my mind whether I worked part time for a makeup counter or a makeup brand I began my search and found a hybrid position in Duluth at OTC Beauty Magazine this was completely different from just being a makeup artist I worked with different brands mostly beauty supply store brands. I learned how brands operated what they looked for and of course help put together their creatives in the magazine. I fell in love with writing and working for magazine I met amazing people at the office and other creative entrepreneurs who til this day we still support one another. While working at the magazine I then got motivated to do more freelance work I did a few workshops at The Suite Spot located in Forest Park Georgia. Such a beautiful space for beauty professionals and it was an amazing support group. I also worked in Atlanta Fashion week with a few of the FUBU models this experience was unreal I have done the SCAD fashion show in the past doing a fashion show with more knowledge is definitely an accomplishment I would love to be apart of the New York fashion week (hint hint). I have also worked with Perfect Population for the Sheen Magazine awards which would be my second time working with them. Meeting amazing entrepreneurs during this time for projects and shows made me feel alive again I am not great at social media because I feel funny staging perfection when I can be overwhelmed, overstimulated, unorganized, dysfunctional and most of all winging it plus I stay in all my happy moments most the time I forget to pick up my phone. After a great 2 years my husband and I decided to go back to Savannah we have two teens getting ready for college and wanted to be close during this time. We are approaching the present time where I worked for Cumulus Media and got certified in sales training, social media marketing and digital marketing. A field again which is completely foreign to me and times where frustration took over. This has been another period of growth sometimes my path can seem unclear everything you come across I truly believe is a piece you are picking up to create the bigger picture. I didn’t want to let my makeup passion I applied for a freelance position with the brand Stila and absolutely loved the manager she is based in Atlanta. Now I am working the Savannah market with Ulta at 3 locations and if everything goes well I can branch out more they work closely with Miami Swim Week and New York Fashion Week (hint hint) they are the first brand who was committed. I am no longer with Cumulus Media due to my schedule with family. I am completely on the journey of taking all these pieces I collected over the years while being a Wife, Mother, makeup artist, advertising/marketing manager and Sophia to create my brand SophiWins and help other beauty entrepreneurs on their journey. When life feels heavy stay consistent, kind and strong. You never know right away why a door opens but it will tye your story together down the line.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road whatsoever I was meeting people who would take advantage of me especially with contracts or money I learned to always do your research and ask questions. As a female entrepreneur speak up and speak confidently never let anyone question what you stand by. Other beauty entrepreneurs who compete or bash your name I personally experienced it and also knew others who have when all in all it should be a community and to help one another along their journey in this industry.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m Sophia Nava Winston, also known as SophiWins I am a wife, mom of four, freelance artist, marketing Strategist, confidence coach and makeup artist with Sunkiss Makeup & Hair. Based in Savannah and Atlanta, I’ve built my brand around beauty, confidence, motherhood, and showing women that you really can create the life you want while staying true to yourself.

I specialize in makeup artistry, confidence coaching, content creation, and helping women feel beautiful inside and out. I’m known for bringing positive energy, authenticity, and a personal touch to everything I do. Whether I’m working with clients, creating content, or connecting with my community online. People connect with me because I keep it real, and I genuinely love inspiring others to feel beautiful, confident, and empowered.

What I’m most proud of is building my career and personal brand while raising four children and balancing marriage, business, and life. None of it came easy, but I’ve stayed consistent, passionate, and determined to keep growing. Being able to inspire other individuals and especially women to chase their goals confidently means everything to me.

What sets me apart is that I bring both the boss-woman mindset and the relatable everyday woman energy. I’m ambitious, creative, and driven, but I’m also approachable and genuine. I don’t just focus on beauty I focus on confidence, self-worth, and helping women step into the best version of themselves.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was a military brat and bounced in different cities until 7th grade and I stayed in Silver Spring Maryland. As a child who was not taught to regulate emotions but to survive I did what made me happy constantly. I listened to others so they were heard I gave to others when they had nothing even though I didn’t have anything. I wanted to be the person I would love to meet. No one is perfect and sometimes we just need a positive influence I loved learning as a kid and I walked in a beauty supply store in middle school my love of makeup began to flourish. I was extremely social in school and offered to practice on my friends who til this day I appreciated because it was a terrible job but they wore it proudly!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Sophiwinsmedia
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18WZzB1d1f/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Twitter: https://www.tiktok.com/@sophiwins?_r=1&_t=ZP-96Y0NSPaPXC