Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Short.
Hi Tiffany, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
As a kid, I was always an artist and explored many different mediums to include sketching, painting, and fashion design. I carried my love of art through life and attended North Carolina State University where I earned a degree in Textile & Apparel Management (2006). Upon graduation, I realized that I did not want to pursue fashion full time but I definitely wanted to stay in the arts industry. It was at that time, I began my career as a freelance makeup artist. I was able to use my knowledge of art, color, and composition to create looks for clients and in my first year (2007) was booked to be a featured artist for Seventeen Magazine’s Rock The Runway Tour and NC Fashion Week.
In 2009, TiaTori Artistry was born and over the years has been able to serve hundreds of clients and Brides across the country and the Dominican Republic. To stay on top of the industry, I have trained with the best makeup artists in the world to elevate my skill, business acumen, and the overall experience I deliver to clients. As a result of our commitment to excellence, we were awarded the coveted Best In Makeup Award in 2016 by the Beauty & Barbers United board and have a glowing five-star review rating on WeddingWire and WeddingPro.
Today, TiaTori Artistry is one of the top Makeup Artistry firms in North Carolina and we proudly serve clients for all special occasions to include bridal, photoshoots, and film. We are now expanding our brand to include educational courses for artists and consumers and is also in the process of developing a cosmetic tools line as well.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I always joke and say that I was a makeup artist before it was cool but in all honesty, this road has been fun but has definitely come with its bumps and in some cases complete roadblocks. In building any business there is always the ‘inexperience tax’ where you inadvertently spend more or make costly mistakes due to your lack of knowledge and I’ve paid more than my share!
Initially, the primary struggles were around proper pricing for our services, growing the clientele, and building a personal knowledge bank of how products work, nuances of different skin tones/textures, and how to address various skin conditions so that I could serve any person who sat in my chair. Once we defined which aspect of beauty we would primarily serve, it required a lot of sacrifices to be in the vicinity of those clients. Bridal is our primary clientele so we spent countless hours at bridal shows, touring venues, meeting with wedding planners, visiting dress shops, etc to build rapport and share our value.
Today, our struggles are surrounding hiring staff to fulfill larger bookings, how to continue to innovate our services, and how to set ourselves apart in an over-saturated market, Also, COVID made a huge impact on our business and bookings for 2020. Thankfully, most of our weddings were carried out but in smaller numbers and we have additional avenues of clients that kept us afloat. Overall, every year poses new challenges as the industry is cyclical but we have been able to maintain and have a successful brand that has been around for 14 years.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a makeup artist, my goal is to create a look that enhances my client’s natural beauty. My clients hire me for once-in-a-lifetime moments so I have to get it right on the first try! I am best known for the natural glam nature of my art. I focus on the skin to ensure that I have a flawless canvas as I am applying cosmetics.
No matter if my clients are being viewed in real-time, photographed in color, or black and white – the skin will be the focus and will be flawless. The better condition I can have the skin, the less makeup that is required. My belief is that makeup should be optional and not necessary and I follow this philosophy with every client.
What sets me apart from other artists is that not only do I have a natural ability for art but I am a licensed cosmetologist so my understanding of skin, color theory, and lighting allow me to consider all of these points to deliver flawless looks every single time! I also take the time to educate my clients on their skin so that they can reap long-term benefits from sitting in my chair.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in luck as it is variable. However, I focus more on manifesting the desires of my heart as it relates to my life and business. I am goal-oriented and always write down annual, monthly, and daily goals that I am looking to achieve.
I then go about bringing those things to fruition through manifestation. I set intentions, meditate on those intentions, and be sure to show gratitude once those things become a reality. I wholeheartedly believe we have the ability to align our lives with our divine purposes and go about our days accordingly.
Pricing:
- Bridal Packages starting at $300
- Natural Glam starting at $100
- Educational Courses starting at $120
Contact Info:
- Email: tiffany@tiatori.com
- Website: www.tiatori.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/tiatori_artistry
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TiaToriArtistry