We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ahshia Cavin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ahshia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea?
My passion for hair, makeup, and beauty stemmed from the lowest point in my life. When I was younger, I struggled with low self-esteem, to the point where I despised looking in the mirror!
Many scars have been left by comments such as “ugly” or “big lips.” I fell into a deep depression and have low self-esteem as a result of the constant negative comments.
When I realized how powerful makeup was, I was able to crawl out of that deep hole. It could make me feel good about myself and instill confidence in myself that I had never felt before.
I thought I needed something to “help” me be pretty. As a child, I didn’t realize the natural beauty God blessed me with.
God used my natural creativity to open my eyes to the natural beauty I saw in myself.
Yes, my ministry was born out of a difficult time in my life. God has called me to start this ministry to help other women who are in similar situations to me. Women who value themselves and want others to notice their natural beauty and God-given abilities
When God has planted a seed in your heart, don’t let it dry out and wither away. Be sure to water it, nurture it, remove the weeds as needed, and watch it blossom!
2 Timothy 1:6 “So I ask you to make full use of the gift God gave you when I placed my hands on you. Use it well.”
Makeup by Ahshia has grown into a into a successful luxury bridal hair and makeup buisness. We specialize in helping brides who value quality, and assurance that they will look and feel their best on their wedding day! With our clients in mind, we meticulously curate our exclusive bridal and beauty experience. We will create a memorable experience while building genuine relationships with our clients from the moment you contact us to the moment you walk down the aisle.
We listen, work with your desired looks, and make your vision a reality.
I love doing makeup but when it comes to bridal makeup, this is my specialty. I will ensure that you have a memorable experience while developing a genuine relationship with my clients from the moment they contact me until the moment they walk down the aisle. I am most proud of how my clients trust me to make them look and feel beautiful for special events (especially Weddings). It is a true privilege and honor to be a part of one of the most important days in my bride’s life!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?
Hi, my name is Ahshia!
Since I was a little girl, I always knew that being creative and helping people came very naturally to me.
I often did my friends’ hair and makeup for prom and homecoming. I began to develop my skill set by practicing trending hairstyles and makeup techniques on different complexions, hair textures, and skin types.
It was apparent that I had a talent for beauty, but I also grew up in a traditional family where after High School, you went to college to obtain your degree to start your career. With little support and guidance to follow my passion for beauty, my next step was to enroll in college.
After college, I spent years in Corporate America, miserable and crying. I knew something had to change now. I prayed and dug down deep. I asked myself what made me happy to wake up in the morning and what I could see myself doing for the rest of my life. It’s amazing how you’re supposed to chase your dreams, but my dreams always seem to be chasing me.
Even in college and afterward working in corporate America, I still had a deep burning desire to help women feel beautiful by doing makeup as a side hustle and sometimes even for free.
During this time, I was also planning my wedding when I came across a beautiful soul by the name of (Robbin) who I hired to be my makeup artist for my wedding. I had known of her expertise throughout the community and by also having done makeup for celebrities, and I wanted to hire the best for my big day.
Around this time, social media had become huge. One day in a conversation with Robbin, she complimented me that I do makeup well and asked why I hired her and did not do my makeup. I was flattered that she noticed that I did makeup. After taking me under her wing, I began to pick her brain about being a successful makeup artist like herself. Mentoring me helped sharpen my technique and skills; she also gave me business tips on successfully making this a full-time career.
It was then I made a promise to myself. I will work my Corporate America job Monday through Friday and do makeup every weekend to ensure that I will be able to supplement my income. This would be a massive leap of faith with no promises guaranteed. During this time, I connected with another amazing makeup artist; my mentor turned into a cherished friendship with (Kristan KB) who I met at her makeup academy. She has also helped me with the business and skillset and supported me throughout my journey. I shared my goals with my husband, and he told me if that’s really what I want to do, then go for it!
So in August 2018, I left corporate America to pursue my dream of being self-employed. I’ve never looked back now that I’m doing what I love. When God created me, he planted a seed of creativity in me. I was created to serve HIS people.
Has it been simple being a full-time entrepreneur? NO WAY! But it’s worth it. Every day is an honor and a blessing when you are walking in your God-given purpose! !
Fast forward to 2023, I am a wife to my husband Dan for almost 11 years, and I am a mother of 2 beautiful children Kaden (6) and Avaya (3).
I went from being a self-taught makeup artist to now being a licensed professional bridal hair and makeup artist.
I have since had the pleasure to have my work featured on Channel 3 and Channel 5 News, NBA All-Star, NBC, Success Magazine, Babe Magazine, The Dorinda show, and various other Live TV productions on TCT Network. I was awarded Top Pro 2019 on Thumbtack, worked as a makeup artist for UH Hospital corporate photoshoots, Ohio and NY Fashion week, films, music videos, and more.
The scripture that has guided me through this journey is ” As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1Peter 4:10
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Being a makeup artist has ALWAYS been something I was inspired to be. Back in the day, YouTube tutorials were not popular, honestly, I’m not sure if they even existed LOL. There were no social media, and hardly anyone was willing to share their “secrets” to help you out. I had to learn by trial and error. I practiced make-up and hair looks by watching Video Soul, and MTV James, I looked in Jet, Cosmopolitan, Word Up, and Ebony magazines to get my inspiration (I know I am telling my age LOL). I would do my friend’s makeup for homecoming and proms. I would offer to do wedding makeup for little to no cost. I would trade services with models and photographers just to get my name out there and build a portfolio.
A lot of people didn’t see the value in getting their makeup done and paying the price that I thought I was worth. Many people laughed at me, saying, “Why would I pay you when I can just go to the department store counter and get my makeup done?” Although this happened quite often, and at times would be very discouraging, this never deterred me from fulling my passion.
My goal no matter what was to always stay consistent and to master my craft!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
You are never too old or it’s too late to peruse your passion. If it keeps you up at night, if you find joy in what you do and it doesn’t feel like work then you are supposed to be doing it.
I often reflect on God’s Word and this one particular scripture resonates with me so much. Isaiah 60:22. No matter what you may be facing today, trust in God’s assurance that everything will fall into place in His perfect time.
I believe that each of us is endowed with a God-given gift that contains our purpose, and it is up to us to discover it. God is God, and He works all things, including your life, to accomplish his purposes. Nothing can happen unless God permits it. According to Psalm 57:2, Nothing beats figuring out your life’s purpose so you can serve others and live it to the fullest.
I’m happy to say I’m living my purpose when I help my clients feel beautiful and confident about their special day!
Website - www.makeupbyahshia.com
Instagram - @makeupbyahshia