I recently had the pleasure of doing some professional speaking in Portland as one of the masters at Class: Where the Masters Teach by Erica Carr. I was on the business panel with Kate Johnson, moderated by Erica Carr. We had a wonderful time sharing tips, advice, and gems about how we do what we do as successful business owners. The artists in attendance got access to some intimate knowledge about the intricacies of running a business.

brett-dorrian-hair-and-makeup-professional-speaker

At the end of the day, you always have to ask yourself – do I love doing the craft or do I love doing the craft and I want to sign up for the hustle of having my name on the door? Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart, but if you’re ready to get your logo designed and/or you’ve been in the game for a while whether as a single freelancer or a studio owner, my message is to be a lifelong learner.

Everyone should be investing in their education as an artist and a business owner in order to grow more successfully faster and with more enjoyment. Buy a book, take a class, hire a coach, join a group, travel to a program, watch a webinar – do something. Going in the right direction is more important than just going in any direction. Claim your future by becoming the best you can be in all aspects of your life and work. Knowledge is power and strategy is fueled by knowing the WHY behind all that you do.

Cheers!

Enrollment for Class 2017 is already open.

If you’re considering attending, save your spot soon since Class 2016 sold out. Check it out here: http://www.imgoingtoclass.com/

Here’s a bit more about Class from the website:

Class is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn skills and techniques directly from top beauty industry artists.

Who Attends? Professional makeup artists who want to add significant value to their career and learn from the finest master beauty instructors in the business.

The Experience? Three classes taught daily for five days, with over 12 hours for you to practice what you’ve learned and receive valuable feedback. Class is a chance for you to invest in yourself and your business in a supportive goal-oriented setting.

Beyond Networking: Class offers an opportunity to meet makeup artists from all over the world in a unique learning environment. You’ll trade helpful tips with fellow students and learn how instructors cultivated their business.

Accommodations: The host hotel, EMBASSY SUITES, is located in beautiful Downtown Portland, Oregon. After Class, you can grab a coffee or craft beer with new friends or shop the area’s conveniently located boutiques. Portland is known for its excellent cuisine and its laid-back artistic vibe. It is a top U.S. destination, but also a place to relax and unwind as you gain inspiration both from natural surroundings and local creatives.

Class is a makeup artist’s utopia in beautifully hip Portlandia

The 2016 Masters:

Marissa

12 months

You should have already booked your wedding day makeup and hair artist.
Start a waxing regimen with your esthetician for appointments 1x/month if you anticipate doing regular waxing in order to achieve hair that grows back thinner and finer over time.
Start a facial regimen with your esthetician for appointments every 4-8 weeks. Discuss options since dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, laser treatments, and peels fulfill different needs. Coming up with the right plan for your skin is important.
Start a cut/color regimen with your regular stylist for appointments every 6-8 weeks.

6 months

Start the process for any drastic hair color changes with your regular stylist. For example, going from brown to blonde is not going to happen in one appointment. It will take a few appointments scheduled every couple of months for six months to successfully accomplish that transition while keeping the hair healthy.

3 months

Get your extensions.
If you’re going to try tape-in or sewn-in extensions, have them colored, placed, and cut to match a few months prior to the wedding. They last 6-8 weeks, so you’ll want to try them out for a round or two prior to the big day to make sure they’re the right choice for you.
If you’re purchasing clip-in extensions, you need to order them and get them cut/colored before your trial run appointment.

2 months

Schedule your makeup and hair trial run appointment and start discussing the wedding day schedule.
Schedule a spray tan before your trial run appointment to try it out if you’re considering it.

2 weeks

Schedule one last color and cut so things are fresh but have time to settle. Schedule any men’s cuts around two weeks as well.

5-7 days

Get your last facial before the wedding – but only a gentle facial – no aggressive treatments should be administered this close to the big day. Consider a dermaplaning appointment to get rid of peach fuzz and reduce texture issues.

3 days

Schedule waxing appointments. Do not get brows or lips waxed less than three days before the wedding or the makeup won’t sit right on the skin in those areas.

2 days

Schedule your mani-pedi.
Get your spray tan for the wedding. Do not get your nails done after spray tanning or the solution may come off of your hands and feet.

1 day

Get your rehearsal dinner makeup and hair done.
Men can get a straight-razor shave a day or two before the wedding but not on the day of the wedding. The appointments are lengthy, and sensitive skin will look flared up for a bit afterwards.