Today we’d like to introduce you to Francesca Maria.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Well… I got started in the photo industry in 2015. I was hired as a hair and makeup assistant for Steven Hoeppner, who since then became my mentor. He’s a published artist that has worked with Adrianna Lima, Mariah Carey, and other celebrities. We worked on a Carnival Cruises photoshoot in September 2015 aboard one of their ships in the Port of Miami. It was my first time ever on a cruise ship. I couldn’t believe I got this gig as my first job working on set!
I was introduced to Steven from my friend, Michael (who is actually now my fiancée). He heard I was going to beauty school and works in the industry as a photographer/production assistant and he wanted to help me out. He worked with Steven on a photo shoot and gave him my contact information.
I grew up in the beauty industry. My parents own an upscale hair salon in Delray Beach, FL. I always thought I would just work with them until one day the salon became my own. But when I was introduced to the print industry, a whole new world opened up- I was inspired. I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life. From that first job with Steven Hoeppner, I started getting hired for more jobs here and there through word of mouth. I worked hard reaching out to established hair and makeup artists in the industry and offering to assist them.
Eventually, Michael and I started dating in April 2016. That’s when both of our careers established a true path. Because we were a couple, we constantly worked on Styled shoots together, even if it was just for fun. It made working fun and creative doing what you love with the person you love.
He pushed me to graduate from beauty school and even helped me study for my Cosmetology State Board exams.
It took a lot of hard work and dedication from my side, but I have Michael to thank for planting the seed in my head that I am created for greater things. He’s always believed in me, more than I even believed in myself.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Ha! It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, not even by the slightest. I have gone through my fair share of obstacles. From not knowing how I was going to pay rent, to being backstabbed from other creatives in the industry to not having enough skill for a particular job and struggling through trying to finish beauty school while working… I can say I’ve been put through the wringer.
The toughest part of being a freelance artist is, a) finding residual work and b) learning how to balance your finances. Because you don’t have a set hourly income, you’re constantly working on finding work. You have to hustle 100% of your days to make ends meet. Also, you have to save save SAVE. There will be months where you feel like you’re rolling in the dough and others that you don’t know how you’re going to go groceries. I learned the hard way that it’s always best to have a savings account. I try to save 10-15% of my checks in savings. It also helps to have it when tax season rolls around because *spoiler alert* you’re going to pay mad taxes as a freelance artist.
One of the hardest moments for me was when I was sent home from my first photoshoot assisting a VERY famous hairstylist on a Victoria Secret photoshoot.
Everything was going okay until she asked me to do a task I was never taught to do- she asked me to sew a clip to a hair weft to make clip in extensions. I was taught to always be honest with your lead and not lie about your skill level just so you can impress them. That way you don’t screw up and make everyone fall behind because you actually had no idea what you were doing. So I told her I would be more than happy to learn from her so I could do it the correct way.
She then proceeded to mock me in front of the VS Angels, the Makeup artist, the stylist, the manicurist, and even the Art Director from Victoria Secret. She had everyone in the room involved in making me feel worthless because I didn’t know how to sew. She then said, “are you even an actual hairstylist?” Then a few minutes later she sent me home. I was crushed. I calmly got back to my car and as soon as the door shut, I bursted into tears. I thought this was the end of my career. I would never be able to get another job as a session hair stylist. No other production would ever want me ever again.
Driving home, I snapped out of it and drove myself to a beauty supply store where I waited outside for two hours for it to open. I then bought all the supplies I needed and called Beauty Anatomy Institute, the beauty school I graduated from. By 10 am that morning I went back to school and I can proudly say that that day I learned how to sew!
Always remember, there is no straight path from your seat today to where you are going. Don’t try to draw that line. You will not just get it wrong; you’ll miss big opportunities. Careers are not ladders; they’re jungle gyms. They don’t move up and down. So don’t just look up, look backward, sideways, and around the corner. Your career and your life will have starts and stops and zigs and zags. Don’t stress out the white space- the path you can’t draw- because therein lies both the surprises and opportunities that can make or break you as an artist. And if you feel crushed or if you feel defeated, use that as fuel to keep going.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Believe it or not, Francesca Did It actually came from my Instagram handle. I started as Francesca Maria Hair, then eventually adopted makeup artistry when I realized how much hair and makeup go hand-and-hand. I feel like there are a lot of makeup artists in Miami, but ironically, there are not a lot that are comfortable in doing both hair AND makeup. A lot of hairstylists work in a hair salon and do on-location or studio shoots on their free time. However, I work on photoshoots full time. I am constantly working on my craft, which is something I take pride in. It takes a lot of hustle to keep up with trends and find work as a freelance artist.
Eventually, because I was working on so many shoots, I started styling and coming up with concepts and moodbords here and there. And I really enjoy doing that as well! I felt like ‘Francesca Maria Hair’ limited me to just being a hairstylist, so I decided to change my name to ‘Francesca Did It’ since I do more than just hair. I want it to become a brand. Something that when people see it, they will recognize that it’s my work.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in a hair salon. So naturally, I always loved to do hair. My first paid gig doing hair and makeup was in my freshman year of high school. I was hired to do hair, and makeup for a few girls I had classes with that were going to the Senior Prom. I remember not knowing what to charge them and being nervous about receiving payment in the first place. Until then, hair and makeup was just a passion; I never received money for doing what I love, so I felt bad even charging them! I felt like I would have done it for free but my mom convinced me, that if it’s something I wanted to do as a profession one day, I needed to learn how to charge my rate. I would describe young Francesca as goal-oriented, creative, career driven, and really into excelling in school- a true Capricorn to the core.
I loved to dance, sing, write poems, and took pride in leadership roles of various clubs and teams I was a part of.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 3053973006
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @francescadidit
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