Today we’d like to introduce you to Elvi.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Elvi. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story is anything but conventional; some little girls grow up dressing up as princesses and having tea parties but not me. I’ve always been more of a tomboy, even now, but I’ve always had an attraction to make up. If you had asked me ten years ago, what I wanted to do with my life, I would have automatically said that I wanted to be a lawyer—and I pursued that. I always had an affliction for school but the moment I stepped foot in my university’s campus, I just knew that it wasn’t for me. I realized that my personal definition of torture was working a normal 9-5 job every day. As one can imagine, that didn’t necessarily sit well with my loved ones but despite the obstacles, I decided to take the biggest risk of my life and pursue a career centered on hair and makeup. Starting a business takes a lot of hard work and it’s never easy but I’m really proud to say that my risks paid off and now I get to do what I love every single day.
Has it been a smooth road?
Being your own boss and starting your own business as a teenager is anything but a smooth road—I’d describe it as hiking an unpaved canyon while blindfolded. You do not necessarily know what you’re doing or where you’re going but you can only hope that it’s the right way. I think that no matter where you are in your career there’s always going to be something trying to hinder you and get in your way. In the beginning, the biggest obstacles were financial feats and the daunting experience that is building clientele and expanding a portfolio. Then comes the aspect of self-doubt and others doubting your work, which can be exhausting. Now, all that is settled but I face a completely new set of obstacles like balancing a work-life balance and making sure that my needs are met as well. It is not easy but I don’t think this should halt other women from trying to become their own boss or pursuing a “non-conventional” career. My biggest advice is simple; know who you are and what you want. In the era of social media, it’s easy to get lost in the sauce and lose sight of who you really are. Some people will say that if you’re a makeup artist that you must have a YouTube channel and I call BS on that. Figure out what works best for your platform and run with it.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Style Me Elvi – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My job is broad in the sense that no two days are the same—sometimes, I’m doing photo shoots, birthdays, makeup classes, but I think that if I’m known for one thing, then it would have to be weddings. There is something truly special about being part of the most important day of someone’s life. My entire brand makes me so proud but I think the most special part of it all is that I haven’t lost focus of who I am and what I do. With social media, it’s so easy to compare your work to another person’s. There’s always a pressure of wanting to do something fun and new so it’s easy to get distracted and try to have your brand to mirror another but I’ve stayed away from that. I’m secure in who I am and what I do and I think that’s worked out for me. I wholly believe in being authentic and showing the good, the bad, and the ugly side of working in such a competitive industry.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
My job is visual so many of my favorite apps reflect that. My go-to apps for photos are Litely and VSCO. For scheduling purposes, I like to use the Plann app. As far as books are concerned, I like anything and everything that has to do with the more spiritual side of things. I’ve gained an appreciation for astrology and the idea of past lives so I love reading anything and everything about those subjects. I haven’t gotten into podcasts yet but that’s on my to-do list.
Contact Info:
- Website: elvi.style
- Phone: 786-718-7170
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @stylemeelvi
Image Credit:
@dmargherite, @stylemeelvi,@christianarevalophoto, @ralph_raphael_weddings, @trickproductions, @jesusphoto
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