Meet Salena Arkoub

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Salena Arkoub a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Salena, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

I’m a 19 year old makeup artist and currently preparing to start my second year of college. Alongside school, I juggle multiple side hustles—including helping run my family’s business, Aroma House, which specializes in Middle Eastern fragrances. I also model and occasionally create content on social media. Since I chose to wear the hijab, I am a visibly Muslim woman living in the U.S, navigating these spaces hasn’t always been easy. My Lebanese-Palestinian roots are central to who I am, and I’ve never shied away from using my voice to speak up on political issues, especially regarding justice for Palestinians and Lebanese people. After October 7, 2023, when Israel began its most recent assault on Gaza, I continued to express my solidarity with Palestinians online. Within weeks, I noticed a drop in brand collaborations—deals stopped coming in, and the business side of my social media presence began to fade. While the dip in income was noticeable, I never regretted standing up for what I believe in. To me, no paycheck is worth compromising my values. I’ve seen too many people stay silent out of fear of losing opportunities, but this life is short, and I’d rather be remembered for doing what’s right than for playing it safe. After October 7, some boycotted brands even reached out to collaborate, but I turned them down without hesitation. I refuse to align myself with companies that openly support injustice. My morals will always come before money.

Wearing my hijab often sets me apart, and I can sense the silent stares and awkwardness from those who know what’s happening in the Middle East but choose to stay quiet. That unspoken tension is heavy—but so is the pride I feel for staying true to myself. I’ve always dreamed of being an entrepreneur and working for myself, and today, I’m proud to say I’ve achieved that through makeup artistry and my other ventures. Despite the challenges, I stand firm in my identity and beliefs.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m someone with many interests and hobbies, and I love keeping myself busy and creative. My main passion and business is makeup artistry—something that’s been close to my heart for as long as I can remember. I’m a Michigan-based makeup artist, and my love for beauty began in childhood, watching my sister get ready and sneaking into her makeup bag to experiment. As I got older, I became obsessed with YouTube tutorials and admired the creativity of popular beauty influencers. Still, a younger version of me doubted whether makeup artistry could really be a sustainable career. I didn’t think it was something I could live off of comfortably. That all changed during my sophomore year of high school when I posted a fun TikTok video that unexpectedly blew up. Someone asked what mascara I was wearing, so I filmed a tutorial—and that was the start of it all. My interest in content creation and beauty deepened, and even though I was going through a difficult time emotionally during my junior year, I made the decision to take control of my life. At 17, I committed to becoming a makeup artist. I started with drugstore products and practiced on family and friends, using my existing social media following to grow my business. By the time I turned 18, I was regularly booked every weekend. One of the biggest milestones came just months into my journey—booking my first bridal party. It was a huge moment for me, especially since many artists spend years waiting for that opportunity. The experience was amazing and truly affirmed that I was on the right path. Now, at 19, I’m proud to call myself a successful freelance makeup artist with year-round bookings. None of this would have happened without persistence, passion, and a drive to not just dream about business, but actually execute. I believe there are people who think like entrepreneurs—and then there are those who act on it. I’m proud to be one of the latter

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three key qualities that had the biggest impact on my journey were passion, persistence, and self-discipline. As someone deeply invested in the beauty industry, I’ve learned that while schooling provides a foundation and licensing, real skill comes from hands-on experience. I’m a self-taught makeup artist—I never took formal courses, but I committed to learning and perfecting my craft on my own, especially when it came to mastering soft glam looks. That level of drive and dedication pushed me to keep going, even when certain techniques felt difficult to master. What truly kept me motivated was the feeling I got every time a client left my studio glowing—beautiful, confident, and happy. That reaction is what fuels me to give my best every time.

For anyone early in their journey, my biggest advice is this: don’t underestimate the power of self-motivation and consistent practice. Stay passionate, be patient with your growth, and don’t be afraid to learn by doing. Skill doesn’t come overnight, but with time and effort, you’ll be amazed by how far you can go. And now, as I begin esthetician school to expand the services I can offer in Michigan, I’m excited to keep growing and pushing myself further in this industry I love

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents have done for me is teach me how to be independent while still offering their support along the way. My dad is an entrepreneur, and growing up in a family that built everything from the ground up, I learned early on that nothing in life gets handed to you. We didn’t come from wealth, but my parents always made sure I understood the value of hard work, financial discipline, and determination. They taught me how to manage and save my money, and how to work for the things I want instead of expecting them to come easily. That mindset has shaped who I am today. I’ve worked hard for everything I have—nothing was just given to me. From saving up for my makeup studio to building my business from the ground up, I’ve done it all on my own. But through it all, I’ve been incredibly lucky to have such a supportive family behind me. Without their constant encouragement and belief in me, I truly don’t know where I would be in life. Their guidance gave me the confidence and tools to become not only a makeup artist, but a self-driven entrepreneur.

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Fatmefilms on Instagram

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