Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty and cosmetics but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Janine Holmes, manager and co-founder of I Do! Beauty Co., located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I Do! Beauty Co. is a one-stop-shop Makeup & Hair Agency that is 100% mobile. Our Makeup Artists and Hairstylists come to you to make you look fabulous for any event. We have an elite team of talented Makeup and Hair artists serving Toronto, the GTA, and beyond. We specialize in Bridal, Special Events, Red Carpet, TV, Film & Photography. Our mission is to make our clients happy, beautiful, and confident.

Tell us about yourself

I have been a prominent figure in the Toronto Makeup and Hairstyling industry for over 20 years. I worked at events ranging from the MMVAs and the Junos to the Toronto Film Festival and Toronto Fashion Week. I started out with MAC Cosmetics shortly after becoming certified through George Brown College. It wasn't long before I was training other MAC artists across Ontario, passing on the latest in makeup trends and techniques every season. I am experienced in many types of makeup applications, such as fashion, bridal, photography, television, film, body painting, airbrushing, and special FX. I am now recognized as a Makeup and Beauty Expert, having appeared on national television shows like CTV's The Social & Breakfast Television. I had the opportunity to work with prominent photographers, directors, fashion designers, and well-known personalities like Lady Gaga, Adam Levine, Demi Lovato, Elisha Cuthbert, and 2 of Canada's most famous Justins-Trudeau & Bieber. I founded the company I Do! Beauty Co. while pregnant with my second child. I wanted to find a way to stay at home with my young children and to offer my clients an alternative artist if I wasn't available. Since 2016, I have built an elite team of talented makeup artists and hairstylists who specialize in bridal & special events and travel to beautify clients all across the GTA. When the pandemic hit, and I was unable to work, I found a creative outlet by creating educational/funny TikTok videos, which have grown a following of 390k+ (@j9homiemakeup).

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment has been balancing it all, my business, my own freelance career, and my family. It hasn't been easy, and I certainly don't always know what I'm doing, but I have enjoyed figuring it out along the way.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Being a sole entrepreneur can be lonely sometimes. Although I have a team, I only work with them occasionally. Most of my time is dedicated to the behind-the-scenes stuff of my business which I do alone.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

These are my top 3 tips for someone looking to start, run and grow a business....trust your gut, ask for help when needed, and network!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://idobeautyco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/idobeautyco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idobeautyco/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j9homiemakeup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-holmes/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.