Name: Stephanie Maron
Age: 24
Job Title and Description: CEO and Founder
College/Major: University of Arizona/ Communication and Pre-Business
Website: www.blushington.com
Twitter Handle: @blushington
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
Stephanie Maron: There is no such thing as a typical day! There is [always] something that needs to be solved or fixed. It definitely makes the day go by faster.
What is the best part of your job?
SM: The best part of my job is making women feel beautiful. At Blushington, our philosophy is “feeling pretty is priceless.” There’s something to be said about exuding inner confidence, and that’s what makes us truly beautiful. We hope that our services can help our clients feel beautiful inside and out. Also, we strive to let our clients know that makeup application isn’t just for special occasions! We’re here to help women feel beautiful every day of the week and truly want to be a part of every woman’s beauty routine. We now offer weekday specials on our maintenance services—check ‘em out on our Facebook page! I enjoy coming up with these affordable and fun programs to help our clients feel their prettiest!
Of course, another favorite part of my job is that I am always trying new makeup products! So fun!
Why did you decide to create Blushington?
SM: I decided to create Blushington because I saw that there was something missing in the beauty industry. That something was the convenience of coming into a relaxing environment to get your makeup done at any day and time of the week for either a specific reason or no reason at all! The more research I did, the more I realized that there just wasn’t a place that you could go and get your makeup done at [an] affordable price in a fun, welcoming atmosphere with professional makeup artists who make you feel like yourself when you walk out. I never had a satisfactory experience at a typical department store beauty counter, so I sought to create Blushington, a luxe makeup and beauty lounge with professional makeup artists who listen to your every need and you leave feeling pretty, ‘you only better’ and without the pressure to buy.
What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?
SM: My first entry-level job was working as a summer intern for True Religion jeans. I got this internship when I was in high school. Prior to the internship, one of my high school projects was to interview someone in a field you would like to have a career in. As I was interested in fashion, I interviewed Jeff Lubel, the CEO and Founder of True Religion. After I interviewed him, he offered me the job on the spot!
What were some challenges you faced when breaking into the beauty industry and how did you overcome them?
SM: One challenge I faced when breaking into the beauty industry was that there are a myriad of brands that represent different things to different women and you have to work hard to please their different tastes. How did I overcome this? Well, we made Blushington into a home away from home. We handpicked the best products from an array of our favorite brands that suit every woman’s skin type, tone and color, including [products from] Stila, Jouer and Kevyn Aucoin. We continue to add more great products to the list.
Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?
SM: There is no one person who changed my professional life for the better, it was all the people who made it possible for me to open Blushington and keep it successful who have impacted by professional life for the better!
What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?
SM: I’ve learned from my mentors that you should “do something you love, and your job won’t feel like a job, it will feel like a hobby!” I’ve tried to live by this motto. I also drive my business by the motto: “Feeling pretty is priceless.”
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
SM: I make mistakes and learn from them all the time. I think if you don’t make mistakes along the journey, you and your business can’t grow for the better. The one mistake I made was hiring someone early on who did not work out and who created real issues. I should have been more diligent before hiring her.
Okay, enough business for a second—what are some of your top beauty tips?
SM: After opening Blushington in West Hollywood and Dallas, I have learned so many cool new tips from all our makeup artists. [One of my] favorites tips is to use your ring finger to apply your cream blush—I always used my index finger, but the product goes on so much smoother just by switching fingers. If anyone was like me and never really knew how to contour, I found a tip for you! If you make a C like motion with your brush from the top of your forehead down to your cheekbones that’s where the bronzer should be applied. And lastly, if you don’t have eyeliner with you, no problem: you can use mascara! Just take the tip of the mascara wand and put it in your waterline and voilà — it looks like you have eyeliner on and if it’s waterproof or long-lasting, it will stay on all day.
What do you look for when considering hiring someone?
SM: I try to look for the whole package. That said, I look for personality the most: how they treat their friends and family [as well as] their technical skills and makeup application technique.
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
SM: If you have a dream, go for it! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It is very hard work and there is a lot of pressure on you, but it’s so rewarding in the end. I would also say that in order to be a great boss, partner and leader, you need to make sure you are capable and able to do everyone’s job before you start to hire anyone.