Meet Michelle Matthews

We recently connected with Michelle Matthews and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.

My ability to take risks did not come easily. As a naturally reserved person, I often had to push myself beyond my comfort zone to avoid being perceived as shy. I was determined to stand out and create meaningful opportunities for myself. I’ve always believed that I wasn’t meant to follow a conventional path, so I embraced risk-taking even when others couldn’t see the vision I had for myself.

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?

As a special effects artist and content creator, I’ve learned that patience is the foundation of success, with hard work playing an equally vital role. I was never fulfilled working traditional jobs because creativity has always been a core part of who I am. Even in high school, I spent my free time drawing and exploring artistic expression. I always knew I had a gift, but I didn’t want to limit myself to being a traditional artist. My passion for makeup began through watching tutorials, combined with my love for horror films. Over time, I started experimenting with creative makeup looks, transforming my face into a canvas for artistic expression. This exploration eventually led me to discover special effects makeup as the perfect way to merge my creativity, passion, and storytelling. I am now working on rebranding for bigger opportunities.

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?

The most impactful lesson at the start of any journey toward following your dreams is to never listen to those who lack goals or ambition. Many people have limited perspectives and cannot see beyond their current circumstances, but you must not allow their mindset to discourage you or distract you from your purpose. Stay consistent, focused, and true to your vision. Avoid trying to recreate someone else’s success—originality and creativity will always set you apart. Remember, you won’t master your craft overnight, but with patience, dedication, and belief in yourself, your skills will become exceptional over time. You don’t need money or a large support system to begin; it all starts with you. The long nights and countless hours you invest in your work will ultimately define your success.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

This year has truly shown me that anything is possible. I made the decision to challenge myself and fully commit to my craft, and the results have been incredible. Through consistent hard work and dedication, I’ve achieved remarkable growth—gaining over 32,000 followers on TikTok as both a wig influencer and special effects artist. Following my passion has allowed me to become my own boss, earn a significant income, and build a global community of supporters. I’ve been nominated for awards, gone viral across multiple platforms, and even caught the attention of celebrities who now follow and engage with my work. This has been the most rewarding year of my journey so far, and I’m deeply grateful for every opportunity. I’m excited to see what the future holds as I continue to grow and create.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@muabandlandmeme?_r=1&_t=ZT-91Ii4sVxmOc
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@michellematthews524?si=NG1r5CrOpbfp8pnn
• Other: https://linktr.ee/matthewsmichelle540