Freelance Makeup Artists Have Mixed Of Opportunities, Challenges

With the concept entrepreneurship grabbing the makeup artists, many wants to be on their own and would like to explore new avenues where they increase their sales numbers. Groom India, (Naturals Salons) managed to conduct a focus group discussion among the key independent make-up professionals from Chennai. Elageshwari, Banu Kalaivani, Radhika Siva, Salomi and Anushiya were the resource participants. The professionals discussed on various aspects of the day-today life.

Advantages and disadvantages:

On the positive side, while most felt being independent after working for years make them feel good, the other side is they have to take risk on making their own earnings and do it on a regular basis. “While we work for a corporate brand, we will be happy to meet our predefined KRAs and our day is done. However, now it is different. We will have to think ahead and plan for the following months”, said a participant. While everyone agreed that their financial stability had increased after becoming independent, they also agreed to the fact, to reach the financial stability demanded initial teething problems like establishing themselves, finding new clients, managing reputation, marketing themselves and following the same.

On the day-to-day life, in bridal shoots, some of the key challenges they face range from work starting during the wee hours of a day, payment indiscipline in bridal payments, no proper arrangements for their logistics and stay. Some experiences the participants ranged from brides blocking mobile numbers post-marriage during payment follow-ups, brides lack courteous gestures even in asking for drinking water, their attitude as if they are giving an opportunity to serve, no safe measure for the high-value equipment they carry etc. Another key challenge everyone accepted that earlier brides look only for the output. However, now they get into detail like which brand they bring for make-up, some half-baked information they listen from some source and arguing with professionals etc. Another one key issue everyone accepted is the selfie-mania of brides. “They refer to some images of celebrities and expect us to replicate the same which might not be possible in all occasions. For example, lets take smoke eyes which demands different facial structure. Someone without that Someone without that expect them to replicate it in their eyes which might not suit the make-up.”, one participant averred. The participants also felt some will have their own preferred product and call them only to do the service which has both advantage and disadvantages. While getting an opportunity to have hands-on experience on new brands is an opportunity, getting out of their comfort zone and try a new brand within stipulated time is a challenge.

On the whole, the biggest challenge all the participants, during various point of discussion expressed not having a bigger brand name was always a challenge and many said the clients always compete their services with some of the salons in their vicinity. The salons may even a single shop or slew of brands.

Opportunities in the market:

Many of them have some or the other partnerships with different stakeholders in the wedding industry. Most of the participants have partnered with wedding planners, photographers, event-managers and some online market places which give them leads. They also said they have no problems partnering with established brands as far as the brand adds value for them and provides regular income opportunities.

On the closing note, representatives from Naturals, said, “It was a great interaction with the freelancers. While we are very happy with the niche they have created for themselves, we are equally elated that they have come to us to help find a solution to some of the problems faced by them. As India’s number 1 salon chain and a brand that is always looking to innovate and help the ecosystem we will be working very hard to help them grow.”