Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Sweeney.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The reason I got into the beauty industry started when I was about 14. My mom wouldn’t allow me to wear makeup but I begged and begged her and she finally broke down. She insisted that I go to the brand new MAC store in Fashion Valley and get a professional artist to teach me a basic everyday look. My artist Nancy, who still works there and is incredible, taught me so many techniques. I realized I had a natural knack for makeup. I started doing makeup for my friends, for family friends when they had special events, charging next to nothing. I then decided to kick my career into high gear. I signed up for a beauty school to get my esthetician license. I wasn’t originally interested in skincare and was only getting the license to add to my makeup resume, but ended up falling in love with skincare as well! Right out of beauty school, I became a full-time artist at MAC and was doing facials and waxing on the side. I started landing much more professional freelance makeup jobs, such as fashion shows at Nieman Marcus, weddings, became the recommended artist for Hornblower cruise brides, etc.
I’ve moved around a lot which has given me a unique experience in that I’ve worked for so many amazing makeup lines and salons! I worked for an Aveda salon, a full service, family owned salon, rented my own space in a small town salon in the central valley, learning new information and expanding my experience at each place. In 2010, I went through a very tumultuous divorce and was a single mom of three children. I moved back to San Diego from central California, went back to work for MAC again, then eventually rented a space at my dear friend and beauty school colleague, Danielle’s business, The Skin Boutique. I truly flourished there, both in my freelance makeup business and with really getting into good skincare with microdermabrasion, chemical peels, etc. My friend Danielle helped me get back up on my feet and helped me to gain my career confidence back! I got remarried to my wonderful husband who is a U.S. Marine. He adopted my three children and we decided to grow our family and had two babies!
Unfortunately, with my husband being in the service, we had to move to Camp Pendleton, and although I was still traveling to San Diego to keep my freelance makeup clients, living in Orange County made it difficult for me to continue my career here in San Diego that I had worked so hard to build. About two years ago, I decided instead of sitting there, that I would advance my career by going to nursing school to pair that degree with my esthetician license to be a medical esthetician. I took a brief pause in school and slowed my business down when my son got diagnosed with autism. I had to slow my business down to focus on his myriad therapies and treatment. It was then that I decided to look into a home-based business that allowed me to still make an income and contribute financially to my family while I focused on my son’s treatment. I chose to become a Rodan & FIelds consultant because of the incredible testimonies, before and after photos, and because of some of my closest friends having immense success with it! Presently, I’ve been a licensed esthetician for close to 13 years now, nearly finished with my prerequisites for nursing school, have built a successful freelance makeup artistry business over the course of 17 years, and am eager to build my home business! After all this time, I am still so passionate about makeup and skincare!
Has it been a smooth road?
The road to my career has certainly had its challenges and obstacles. I got my esthetician license in 2006, right before the economy tanked. The first thing people cut out of their budget were luxury items like facials, makeup etc. I went through a divorce and was a single mom of three working three jobs. In the last ten years, I’ve moved five times. My son got diagnosed with autism. I have been through it all. You just have to persevere, adapt and overcome to any challenges thrown at you. I think it is so important to remind yourself it can always get worse. Being grateful for simple things has really helped me maintain my optimism. Life is a journey that is never easy. The adversity I have faced has made me a stronger, more resilient person both personally and in my career! When one door closes, usually others open. You just have to have an open mind, a willingness to explore different avenues, and the ambition to always continue learning and growing in your field! Adapt. Overcome. Grow. Persevere.
We’d love to hear more about Ashley Sweeney Beauty.
My current specialties are freelance makeup artistry and being a consultant for Rodan & Fields. I’d say my most valuable skill is the ability to truly listen to my clients about what they are looking for. I don’t just slap a go-to look on every client. I carefully customize their look according to their age, face shape, skin type, and combine it with my extensive knowledge of skincare and the results are beautiful! I never tire of seeing my clients light up when they see themselves for the first time after I’ve done their makeup! Additionally, I use top of the line products, continue to develop my techniques, and education with makeup and skincare alike.
As far as my Rodan & Fields business, I’m most proud of how much the products have helped myself and others! The lash boost has grown my eyelashes almost up to my eyebrows! I’ve reversed so much hyperpigmentation! I’d say what sets me apart in both of my businesses is that I truly care about my clients and their results. There is something so fulfilling about instilling confidence into others by making them feel beautiful!
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
I feel one of the biggest barriers today in the makeup industry is the flooding of social media with people who claim they are “artists” simply because they photograph their own makeup. It cheapens the hard work, investments, and education of true, professional artists. It also creates a challenge because a client will compare their price to yours and expect you to lower your price, but you truly do get what you pay for. I have invested in professional education, the best products, am knowledgeable in hygienic practices, and have many years of experience. Professional makeup artists charge a higher price than an Instagram artist because of the time and money invested in our businesses.
Another challenge I face as a makeup artist is that for some reason, people often want me to do my job for free. I’ve had so many acquaintances and people at weddings I’m working on asking me to do their makeup for free, put lashes on them, teach them techniques, book me for hours then cancel on me last minute, etc. I’m always shocked because I don’t think they would do their own jobs for free, so why would I do mine for free? I offer makeup classes, both for groups and individuals, and I do charge for lash application and charge a cancellation fee because I’m using my product and my time, which is very valuable to me.
As far as my Rodan & Fields business, the biggest challenge I face is the stigma against home-based businesses. I totally get it that some people are overboard by posting too frequently, or are perhaps too pushy. I struggle between not wanting to step on anyone’s toes and really wanting to promote myself. What I find frustrating is that over the years, when someone asks me what lipstick I’m wearing, or what I use for hair products, and without batting an eye, will go grab the lipstick from MAC or go to the beauty supply and buy the shampoo, but if someone recommends something like Rodan & Fields, people become skeptical. I’d love to break that stigma so that we as women (and men too if they wanted) can have both financial freedom and quality time with their family!
As a woman, the biggest challenge I’ve faced is that we are expected to work as if we do not have children, and then raise our children as if we do not work! I think it’s important that as a society, we understand that times have drastically changed! The cost of living in most places requires two incomes, yet someone has to raise our children. The cost of childcare is exorbitant and quality childcare is difficult to find. I feel that promoting your friends’ and family members’ small businesses is so critical in achieving that balance. When you buy that moisturizer, essential oil, protein shake etc from a friend, you aren’t just getting a product from a company. You’re paying for their daughter’s prom dress or their son’s birthday party! I feel so empowered when I can succeed in my career AND as a mother! I hope that all women will one day be in a position to fulfill their career dreams and be able to be moms!
Contact Info:
- Website: asweeney7.myrandf.biz/
- Phone: 6194052215
- Email: ashleymcd3@gmail.com
- Instagram: @ashleysweeneybeauty
Image Credit:
Ashley and Sean Sweeney
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