Meet Kiyonna Cain

We recently connected with Kiyonna Cain and have shared our conversation below.

Kiyonna, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

Navigating spaces where you might be the only one who looks like you can sometimes be challenging, but I think of it as an opportunity for personal and professional growth. I’ve learned it’s best to show up as the most authentic version of yourself. I leverage my background, perspectives, knowledge, and insights to help me stand out positively. I believe that being the only one in the room puts me in a position to drive change, and to impact the viewpoints of others. I welcome opportunities to be a representation of people that look like me. It has always been my goal to help foster inclusive environments for all people. My approach involves using my uniqueness to add value, building strong relationships, and maintaining resilience. In doing this, I have been able to connect with all kinds of people despite our differences.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a professional makeup artist and creative director located in Chicago, IL. I own a business called Cultivating Beauty that focuses on helping women look and feel their best from the inside out. I’ve worked as a freelance makeup artist for the past 7 years, providing services for special events, weddings, photography, and film. I started in makeup when I realized there was a need for more artists that have the ability to tailor their artistry to their clients as individuals. I like to take the time to get to know my client and how they use makeup in their everyday lives. This allows me to customize their makeup look to fit their comfort level and personality. Our appearance plays a role in how we present ourselves and how we are perceived, so when a client trusts me with adding to their appearance, it is always an honor. My unique style of makeup artistry allows my client to leave my chair feeling like the most confident version of themselves.

In my time as a creative director, over the past three years, I have worked with photographers and clients to create and execute a vision for their professional photoshoots, including branding, maternity, birthday, and family photos. I thrive when I am in my creative element. I love the art of visual storytelling and creating art from nothing. My background and experience have made it easier for clients to enjoy the process of taking professional photos and for photographers to focus on capturing the photos. I utilize my attention to detail and ability to connect with my clients to gain a sense of what they want and provide ideas and insights to enhance it and bring it to life.

I have always had a love for woman empowerment and have been fortunate that my purpose aligned with my passion. I love building connections and helping women enhance the beauty they already possess not only outwardly but inwardly too. In addition to makeup and creative direction, I host networking events called Candid Conversations for Women Entrepreneurs that focus on helping female entrepreneurs gain knowledge and insights as professionals while also building their inner strength, self-esteem, and emotional well-being. I partner with both medical and mental health professionals to provide dialogue and topics of different areas to impact how women show up as business owners, as well as in their personal lives, while prioritizing their physical and mental health. My next event will be held in October 2024. Readers can follow my socials for more information on these events.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back on my journey, the three qualities that I believe were most impactful are creativity, organizational skills, and tenacity.

Creativity has been the driving force behind my ability to problem solve and approach challenges with fresh perspectives. It has allowed me to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions, whether I was developing new ideas or improving existing processes. As a visionary, my creativity has afforded me the ability to execute projects from conception to completion and paint the picture for my clients to guide them along the way. For those early in their journey, my advice would be to actively cultivate curiosity and experimentation. Engage with diverse fields, seek inspiration from different sources, and don’t be afraid to challenge conventional thinking. Experiment with new ideas and embrace failure as a learning opportunity.

Being organized has been crucial in managing multiple projects, clients, deadlines, and priorities effectively. It helped me stay on top of tasks and maintain a clear vision of long-term goals while handling day-to-day responsibilities. To improve organizational skills, I recommend developing a system for tracking tasks and deadlines, such as using project management tools or creating detailed to-do lists. Regularly review and adjust your strategies to find what works best for you and make time for planning and reflection.

Tenacity has been essential in overcoming obstacles and persisting through challenges. It’s the quality that kept me going when faced with setbacks or failures and helped me stay focused on my goals. For those just starting out, my advice is to build resilience by setting realistic goals, celebrating small wins, and learning from setbacks rather than being discouraged by them. Developing a growth mindset and surrounding yourself with supportive mentors and peers can also reinforce your determination and help you stay motivated.

Cultivating creativity, honing organizational skills, and fostering tenacity can profoundly impact your journey. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and continually seek ways to refine and strengthen these qualities.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

In the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been overcoming unexpected life changes. My business went through a rebranding process, and I had to find ways to navigate significant changes. This period has been pivotal for me, particularly in the area that involved redefining my brand identity, which was a change for both myself and my existing clientele. During this time of transformation, I continued to service my existing clients but paused marketing for new clients. This allowed me to slow things down in order to come up with a plan for reinventing my business. I was able to come up with a new vision without the pressures of keeping up with promotional strategies and managing the influx of my clientele base. Since then, my new clientele has picked back up, and I have identified even more ways to maintain a steady client flow. My advice for those starting out is to be adaptable so you are prepared to be able to shift in the light of change. Don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself as many times as you need to and take time to reflect on your business and make adjustments that will help you to accomplish your goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.styleseat.com/m/v/cultivatingbeautyllc
• Instagram: Cultivatingbeautyllc
• Facebook: Cultivating Beauty
• Other: TikTok: Cultivatingbeautyllc

Image Credits

Nine Pixels Studios