Mimi Johnson

Job Title:  Makeup Artist + entrepreneur

 In a few sentences, please tell us about yourself: 

 I’m a creative, fun-loving, free spirit that is defining what success and happiness really means in life. I’ve been a makeup artist for over 9 years, and run two businesses: The Glamatory and Grind Pretty.  I’m also a mommy to a wonderful little boy. 

What did you want to be when you were a little kid? A singer and a fashion designer

 Did you attend college? If so, what did you study and does anything apply to what you do now? Clark Atlanta University. BA in Marketing . It definitely applies as I had to learn to market and brand myself and my businesses.

What was your first job? Parks and recreation assistant at age of 14. (I’ve always been about the grind lol)

What was the worst job you’ve ever had? working at an amusement park. They put me at a lemonade stand in 90 degree weather. No Ma’am! lol 

When did you decide to pursue your current career path? starting playing in makeup in 2007 and left my corp job in 2010.

What do you love most about your job? I can put all of my creative ideas to use and set my own pace. 

In your opinion, what makes a great boss? What can bosses do to encourage creativity amongst their staff? A great boss is self aware, leads by example, is a people builder, is creative, and is knowledgeable. Bosses can motivate their staff creativity by making sure they feel like their opinions matter! Talk to them individually and ask them what ideas they have, where they see themselves in the company, what can be better, how can you utilize their skills better. Make them feel involved.

Do you have a mentor? yes 

·      Who is it? I have several. I call them my advisory board. If i need finance help, I have someone for that. If i need mommy advice i have someone for that too. For purposes of naming one person, someone successful in my industry, Ashunta Sheriff.

·      How did you meet him/her? I admired her from afar years before i reached out as she used to work with Alicia keys and even Diddy. I had a makeup class tour and I went out on a limb and asked her to speak on my panel. She was so humble and sweet! Every since then I’ve looked up to her as a mentor.

·      How have they impacted your career? She inspires me to keep going. Her relationship with Taraji is beautiful! And she even had her own product on QVC!

When it comes to your different hairstyles, where do you get your hair influence your creativity? I change my hair like I change my clothes. Whatever i feel like doing i go for it. I do watch queen bey and rihanna as their hairstyles are always fly along with dope IG accounts like The Cutlife and others.  

Has rejection ever affected your creative process? If so, please describe. Nope, now procrastination is a different story. 

Name 3 lessons you’ve learned from building your business: 1) You never stop learning 2) There’s no straight path to success, there will be all types of road blocks and turns 3) Trust your gut

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to pursue the same career as you? Study the craft and don’t do it for the hype. Do it because you are passionate and are ready to make people feel beautiful. Really educate yourself with product knowledge, understanding different skintypes and skintones, customer service, and the business side of things.

What has been the pit and peak of your week so far? (a low and a high moment) The low was stupid Irma (Hurricane) snatching our power away for days! Peak I booked some major appointments and am traveling to the White House this weekend to represent my HBCU.

 Top resources for creatives and why you chose them (can be podcasts, websites, books, etc.) please provide links where applicable : honestly I’m a bookstore browsing magazine type of girl. I browse Forbes and entrepreneur mags, while also skimming through Essence, Instyle, and Vogue. I check popular hashtags like #Instaglam #girlboss on social media. Heck I’m inspired but just walkin outside and seeing colors of nature. 

Finish this sentence:

 I want people to remember me as: a visionary and overall a dope woman.

 If I had to choose a theme song to represent me it would be 

 Bossy – Kelis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSgp-IIgr4I

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Where can we find more about you?