Welcome to She Leads. This is what I have been so excited to share with you all for so long. Since March is Women's History Month, I thought that launching this new segment would be a perfect way to celebrate the last day.
If you've been following for any amount of time, you know what a big cheerleader I am for supporting local business, supporting small, local, environmentally conscious, BIPOC and women owned businesses.
This new section of my blog will bring the focus to women (identified) who have taken risks, and conquered self-doubt to take the leap into leadership. These women are some that I admire so much and I can't wait to introduce you to them and help you all get to know these powerful ladies and their passions.
I'm so excited to kick off this series with my friend Kassidy Dingle. Kassidy and I met in a Homesense a little over a year ago, which is no surprise since we can both be found there on a regular basis. What was a surprise was how instantly I wanted to be friends with a stranger and had to make the effort to stay connected! I quickly learned about how she is basically a wedding expert and superstar, and it's no wonder she books so far in advance because she has such a talent for what she does, and a deep love and understanding for the wedding industry.
Below you'll find our interview where you can learn more about Kass and her small but thriving business!
Great to chat with you Kassidy, can you tell those who don't know you a little bit about yourself?
I’m 23 and have 2 dogs, a cat and a fiancé!! I grew up dancing with a passion for ballet until grade 10, when I got my first job at Sobeys across the road from the house I grew up in. Last summer [I bought] my first home with my boyfriend at the time of 6 years, now 7.
What do you like to do for fun?
I love to clean my house, and organize and redecorate. I love to go shopping for clothes and home décor. Some of my favorite places are Homesense, Goodwill for thrifting and IKEA.
What does an average day look like for you?
I’m a bridal hair and makeup artist full time, so you’ll usually find me every weekend off somewhere else dolling up a new bride to be! During the week is usually trials for such brides, other engagement shoots, or with my best gal pals at Luxe B Pampas Grass where we sell dried florals for…more weddings!! You can see the trend here. I absolutely LOVE weddings. [It's] why I’ve had such a hard time processing my own engagement!
Let's talk about your business. Can you tell everyone a little about that?
Firstly, KD Artistry is my entire dream come true. I wake up and get to do the coolest job ever, I personally think. So because I have so much fun, it never truly feels like work. However it does come with the whole business side of things, where I’m up till 2am responding to emails and writing out contracts to all my amazing clients. Secondly, my "COVID project" you could say, was starting (finally) my own bridal jewelry and hair accessory line, along with launching lashes with KD at the same time!!! Its special to be a one stop shop for all my brides to be, and to be able to complete their dream look!
What inspired you to take the leap into entrepreneurship?
The drive I had to work for myself pushed me every single day I was stuck NOT doing that. I worked 24/7 to make that a reality. It took A LOT of sacrifices but it was 100% worth it in every way, and looking back now I wouldn’t change a thing.
What is your mission?
To impact the wedding industry and be there for all these amazing women on the best day of their lives. To practice my skills and strengthen them everyday, never stop moving towards being your best self.
I love that! There has bound to have been some struggles along the way, what has been your biggest struggle so far?
I’m honestly a very introverted person. So going to a strangers house and being professional, having to manage people and be personable, keep a conversation and doing a good job was really hard at first.
I'm sure that was difficult being in a customer facing career! How did you overcome that?
With more practice, and as more positive feedback came back I became more and more confident and its really helped shape who I am now, and I love all my brides for that.
How has quarantine changed how you run your business?
All the shutdowns at the beginning were crazy, trying to manage and accommodate all my 2020 brides that had to postpone was crazy BUT we made it through. Other than the couple shut downs where personal services weren’t permitted, my clients have been incredibly supportive when I’m open and hoping for a busy 2021 wedding season.
Self doubt is a huge problem for people. Was there someone who inspired you, or where did you pull the drive from?
There were a few girls I followed on Instagram that were all taking clients from their homes and I was like, I can do that, and then as I got busier and busier and spent every waking minute doing hair, and makeup, and running social media to grow my business, I realized I may be able to do this full time and support myself. So I kept pushing until that’s exactly what I was doing. And I had a huge support system. My parents let me live at home and save money, and my boyfriend went several days to weeks at a time barely seeing each other because I was doing so many weddings and appointments.
What is it that you think makes people respond so positively to your company?
I’m super easy going, have always kept things professional, and I always just try to have a good time with all my clients and make them comfortable and confident! People have always loved my style as well, I love to keep things more natural and that can really be seen on my social media.
I agree, and speaking of your style on social media, you've been posting a lot of home decor content lately! Any plans to incorporate that into your business or professional life in the future or is it mostly just for fun?
I would love to incorporate more personal life into sharing my business and all the things I love to do! I’ll show my weekends with brides then decorating our home and my pets and what I like to get up to when I’m not doing hair and makeup. I think it’s great to grow a connection and be relatable to your clientele. And I get to keep these amazing memories and share it with friends and family along the way.
Is there something you wish you knew before starting your business?
That bridezillas DO exist.
Since you mentioned bridezillas, what's the best advice you can give for dealing with a bridezilla?
Step in their shoes. It’s NOT easy and for those that say it was a breeze are lying. As a bride myself, wedding planning is stressful! Just remember they are SO excited and SO nervous and sometimes they just need a minute to breathe. Remind them that you are here to help them and that they can rely on you! My inbox is always open to vendors if they need advice. I reach out to my local vendors for advice all the time!!
What is your ideal client/customer like, or rather, how can future clients avoid being a "bridezilla" to their HMUA (Hair and Makeup Artist)?
My ideal client would be one that has full trust in my services. They see my work and sit down in my chair and say “do whatever you think is best for me” this way we avoid any expectation and avoid disappointment! From experience these services always turn out THE BEST.
For example, a bride sees this specific updo, but realistically it just doesn’t work for her and now she’s left feeling disappointed if I can’t recreate something similar. Have an open mind, and trust your stylist! Photo inspiration is the best. Show us your dreams, your dress, your colors, your flowers. Leave the rest to us! I will always ask how much you are comfortable with and go from there.
Any future growth goals for your companies you'd like to share?
Ooooo future goals. I love that you asked that. I like to keep some things secret, of course I can’t share everything or their wouldn’t be any surprises. But for this year, a huge goal of mine is to make an effort on YouTube. I’ve started and I want to keep going! So I will continue to put my mind to it and grow my business. Of course this year for my business means a lot since I’ll be joining my list of 2021 brides and I cannot wait for that!
What advice can you offer to other women?
If you can’t go a day without thinking about it, just do it already. You just have to start. It always seems impossible until its done.
Any specific accounts you want to shout out that you draw inspiration from, or who supported you along the way?
Gosh I love my Instagram fam. A lot of photographers inspired me through the way.
Right when I started @michellelphoto had my eye, then as I did more and more weddings I met even more photographers along the way. I have a highlight on my Instagram even!
Then @karlyfordphoto, @jessleighartist, @aspenandashphotograhy, @triciavictoria.co , ghphotos, @kensiewebsterphoto , @keeperphotography and so many more!!
For those that supported me other than friends and family, my clients!! My brides. They are the best! They tell all their engaged friends about me and with so many I end up keeping in touch over Facebook and Instagram and it’s the best to see how their lives go on after their wedding day.
Thank you so much for answering my questions! Lastly, where can people find you to support you?
Instagram: @kdartistry_ for wedding makeup, hair and life, and @gingerandjuneco for bridal accessories!
Web: KDartistry.com
Youtube: Kass and Jack
Photographers: @jadegabrielle
@keeperphotography
@karlyfordphoto
@aspenandashphotography
@ghphotosyeg
@triciavictoria.co
If you stayed to the end, thank you for supporting Kassidy and her business, and for supporting me by reading and participating in this blog! It means a lot to me and I'd love to hear your thoughts on the segment, and what types of questions you'd like to ask female entrepreneurs and leaders for future posts!
XO
Tara
IG: itstaradelaney
YouTube: ItsTaraDelaney
Amazon shop: Itstaradelaney
Women's History Month may be ending, but women will continue to make history.
Thank you to every woman in my life who has ever inspired me to do good, and for everyone who gave input on this series. This is dedicated to you.
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