Cultivating a Possibility Mindset with Jeanette Ivey

There comes a point in every artist’s journey between completing training and opening up shop. You finally have a handle on your craft and you start to envision what your beauty business would look like. But as a new artist, you also feel limited by the resources you have and aren’t quite sure how to expand. We chatted with Jeanette of Ivey Artistry about seeing those possibilities come to life because they are worth it and so are you.

Tell us about yourself! Your background, history & the nitty gritty of all things you!

Before I even got into the makeup scene, I worked for American Eagle. I remember walking into MAC with a corduroy blazer and khaki pants. Long story short, one of the managers saw something in me. I got hired then grew with the company from the bottom -- from a part-time cashier to a manager. I was there for 13 years. There was a trainer that gave me the obsession with brows. 

How did you first get into the beauty industry? The PMU Industry?

When I was 28 I had a daughter, who’s now 5, and I got out of the retail scene. When microblading became a big thing, I thought I really needed to learn this. Two years after I had my daughter, I started in permanent cosmetics.

I went to New York to do a 2-day training with PHI Brows. I picked up on it and I did the practice skin, and within a month I passed. In the beginning I had a few family members at my house to practice. I moved to Raleigh around the same time I went to training. Around here there was nobody doing it. I started out in a one-room studio and now I have a storefront.

When you first started your business, what did your financial planning look like?

At the time, I was transitioning from freelance makeup, so I didn't have a lot of money saved up. I had also just had my daughter and was living in NC by myself. So I was a little nervous, but I had a high limit on my credit card and managed to start that way. It’s not impossible to do. I really started from nothing. 

One of the women I follow, a big business owner in Raleigh, said “If you’re scared, do it scared.” When you feel fear, there’s something positive behind that will come to fruition.

What tools or resources have helped you organize your finances?

I would feel overwhelmed in the beginning. I’m terrible with numbers. I hired an accountant to make sure I'm making good decisions with expanding. You have to make sure you’re doing payroll and pay taxes. My employees started as 1099 then became W-2. Now I have revolving credit and utilize Square for my bookings. They have a program for people who use their device. Once you have a relationship with them, you can borrow credit from them. It comes out of your transactions, so it’s easy for people who don’t have credit cards or don’t want to deal with high interest rates from a bank. 

What misconceptions might PMU artists have about financials?

Sometimes they procrastinate and they don’t know where their money is going. It then drains for months. I will be an advocate and say I have done that, not looking at profit loss. It’s important and can be a misconception that you’re going to make all this money. I assumed my accountant would worry about it, but that’s not true, they just organize. I make a habit of looking at my transactions every day. 

How did you develop the mindset you now have?

Not having a whole lot of support at the time, I struggled with being a mom and having a business, so I had to compartmentalize. I got into meditation rituals since I have anxiety. I made time for my thoughts and I let my mind just shut off, with no noise, or write things down.

I recently went to a reiki healer that someone recommended. I’d never felt so free of the pressure in my chest and shoulders. I felt lighter weight and more balanced with myself. I want to incorporate that once every so many months. 

What does the word possibility mean to you?

Before I even got into makeup, I wanted to be a creative writer. A lot of great pages out there really are inspiring. When I share quotes, they are things that have helped me because I know anybody can be sucked down into the darkness. I’d rather be optimistic than pessimistic. 

What is your advice to someone who is overwhelmed by the possibilities?

Compartmentalize and take baby steps. My brain is constantly spinning to the point where you shut down. Just focus on one thing you want to manifest and achieve that. Then do the next thing. I started to do that more recently. Just honing in on one or two things, then once you achieve those, move on to the next thing. Put your energy in that direction by giving your best effort into one thing. Focus on what’s in front of you at the time and you’ll get there.

Want to hear more about possibilities? Follow Jeanette on instagram!