Meet Karin Janette | Make-Up Artist & Lifestyle Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karin Janette and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karin, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
I am a person who loves talking and having meaningful conversations so I have a few favorite quotes because there are so many profound people in the world who have said many meaningful things that inspire and encourage me. But if I have to pick a favorite for this article I would have to say it would be a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” The reason behind this being my favorite is because it is applicable in all areas of life and encourages me when it comes to my business. Now, he made the statement during the Civil Rights Era when he was out fighting for the rights of African Americans and Minorities to be seen as not only equal but as human beings. I’m sure this fight seemed daunting and overwhelming but he knew he had to keep moving forward because the hope of the prize at the end was worth the trials he went through. So thinking about the context of this quote is enough to spark a fire in the heart of me, an African American Woman in 2021, who now has the ability to actually start a business of my own and be taken seriously by my peers of all colors because of him continuing to move forward. But in the context of my business, I think about how when you first venture out into launching a business, many people start with the idea that the supply they have is in demand or the service they have will meet a need so once they launch, things will soar and fly off the shelves. But then more often than not, you begin with a slow start of a few bookings and a few orders. You push through and keep going but it can be discouraging when that happens, especially when weeks and months of slow-moving turns into years of slow-moving because you believe in your work. But this quote always comes to mind with that because no matter what stage of my business or whatever I am doing, I have to remind myself that I have to keep moving forward whether it be crawling, walking, running, or even scooting forward. Whatever it takes. I keep this quote as a screensaver on my desk and it reminds me to do something every day. Whether it’s to go post that social media graphic, or go clean up my email, or go respond to that post about someone in search of an MUA for a day, or go clean and organize my makeup studio, or to send thank you emails and update my information. It reminds me to take any steps toward building a better business, a better brand, and a better me because the vision I have of my future and the heights that I see my business going to are worth the daily grind that has to take place now. I know that no matter what I have to keep pursuing the goal in order to win the prize and this helps me do just that because some days are flying days filled with back to back bookings but other days are crawl days filled with mundane administrative work because I have no bookings in-sight and need to be prepared when I do again. There is no cookie-cutter way to run a business or live life so I encourage myself and anyone else to think about it and crawl, fly, walk, or run but whatever you do, keep moving forward and pressing toward the end for your prize.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Once I decided that being a makeup artist was the business that I wanted to pursue, I have been working diligently to study, practice, and stay informed in order to grow my skills. The makeup industry is such a dynamic industry that a trend or technique you learn today can be outdated and a no-go a week later. I am confident enough to say that I have been able to grow to a place of being great at what I do. I have also become a versatile artist that is able to shift from high-end couture makeup to light everyday makeup to glitzy glam makeup. It is not always easy but taking small steps and pushing forward every day has helped me get over hurdles. What I have learned through everything is that I don’t want my business to just simply be about put makeup on someone’s face and then moving on to the next person. I want to empower and embolden every woman that sits in my chair or that I collaborate with. Yes, the makeup I put on your face will enhance you and make you look good but I want to make women feel good on the inside about themselves and help them to know without a doubt that they are beautiful no matter what. I would never want anyone to think that they need makeup to be beautiful. And I don’t want to have someone not understand their beauty and still feel awkward with the makeup on. It’s not just about the face of a person for me. It’s about the WHOLE person for me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Honestly, the company I attend an event with is what makes the event fun for me and my friends and I can have fun at a park on the swings. Which I say this to say, I don’t really get out much so a good portion of my imaginary out-of-town best friend itinerary would be up Netflix’n or chilling. LOL. But I do love my city of Houston, TX and I can most definitely tell you some of my favorite places. To start out, I’ll let you know some of my favorite places to hang out. It may sound cliche but Discovery Green would have to be a place we go… but at night. At night, DG has such a different vibe than the day. People are out hanging and laughing. You will probably see about 3-4 monster-sized truck riding blasting Houston music like Paul Wall and DJ Screw. Others will be doing photoshoots or late-night picnics. I would definitely have to take my friend and do a midnight bike or scooter ride. We would also go to the Truck Yard Houston and have some fun listening to the live band or riding the functional Ferris wheel. Also, this is not necessarily a place but we will for sure have to take a ride on the Houston Bike Bar. I mean, who doesn’t want to get lit while also working it off by pedaling a mobile bar. LOL. For some eating, we would have to hit up both restaurants and some food trucks. Some of my favorite restaurants for sitting down relaxing and eating good food would be: Turkey Leg Hut (for the vibes and food), Shell Shack (seafood is life here), Present Company (it’s super cute with good food), Snooze AM (the one in Montrose tho), Brennan’s (if we trying to get fancy), and Breakfast Klub (duh! But not in the am… def after a night out on the town). Throughout the days and nights, the food trucks we would hit up would be: FD’s Burgers and Wings (Fiyah Chi-town style food), Yoyo hot dogs (bring the NY to H-Town), Ragin Cajun (my FAV cajun food truck), and Mad Max BBQ (not better than my dad’s but still *chefs kiss*). Now, last but not least, no trip is complete without a city-wide photoshoot tour. 😉 We have to tour all the graffiti murals around Houston and snap it up. Also, get some pics at the Water Wall, the Sugar and Cloth color wall, the Skyspace at Rice U, and Buffalo Bayou Park (great view of the city skyline). Now, is this an exhaustive list of our imaginary out-of-town bestie itinerary.. absolutely not. But a great start and we would definitely paint the town Houston Red!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First of all, I want to say that I have been blessed with an amazing village. I have awesome friends and family who support me, encourage me, promote me, and even allow me to harass them into being guinea pig makeup models for me. But, the biggest shoutout goes to my Pastor, Dr. Dana Carson because he is the one who pushed me to turn my free hobby into a money-making business venture. Not only does my Pastor give me keys to walking by faith in God but he gives me keys to success in life. He was a high school dropout in Chicago, IL, and went on to later earn 8 degrees, start several businesses and do all this while pastoring a thriving church and ministry and transitioning it from Austin, TX to Alvin, TX to Houston, TX. He is the model and epitome of perseverance, focus, determination, excellence, and hardworking to me. He has taught me and so many others how to think about entrepreneurship and not just settle on living check to check. His teachings, talks, and modeling, and mentorship have changed my life. I am sure that I would not be the person I am today, in so many respects, without him in my life.

Website: https://kjbeautystudio.wixsite.com/mysite

Instagram: instagram.com/kjbeauty_studio

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KJBeautyandStudio

Image Credits
Bella Remy of Great Scenes Creative