We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katie Withers a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Katie with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My work ethic comes from my parents. My parents are the hardest, most dedicated workers I have ever met and have shown me what it takes to have an exceptional work ethic and be a successful business owner. Both of my parents did not grow up with much, and they both went on to create very successful businesses for themselves. Both of them started their businesses with barely any capital and built them up to become prosperous, reputable, and impactful companies within their community. They taught me from a very young age that you have to work for what you want, and that nothing in life worth having ever comes easy or will just be handed to you. This mindset not only taught me how to be a hard worker but also how to be a better person and member of the community. It taught me how to appreciate the things you work for and to respect other’s work and time.
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?
Hi there! I’m Katie Withers, Head Makeup Artist and Founder here at Contoured by Katie. For over 10 years, I’ve been expanding my knowledge and experience in special events makeup to help women feel confident and beautiful on their special day. From my first-ever client back in 2012 (my sister, whose high school homecoming look turned all the heads), to working in-house at A Perfect Face Day Spa in Ocean City (my mom’s business), it became clear from an early age that my knack for creating stunning makeup looks was far more than hobby material. So naturally, I did what I do and dove headfirst into acquiring the knowledge, skills, and experience to become the very best makeup artist and business owner I could be! I received extensive 1:1 training with BareMinerals pro makeup artists to refine my skills, and earned my Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Marketing and Business Analytics to supplement my years of experience working in business and beauty. Without a doubt, all roads led to me founding Contoured by Katie in 2021, and becoming the luxury makeup artist serving Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and beyond.
At Contoured by Katie, we infuse creativity, innovation, and passion into our work to help women radiate confidence, inside and out. We believe that all women deserve to feel beautiful, so everything we do is in support of that! Our approach to special event makeup artistry enhances your natural beauty, while exceeding your expectations for superior quality services. All while meeting the highest standards of hygiene and sanitation to ensure our clients’ safety and satisfaction. Our commitment to quality and excellence allows us to provide a luxury, unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experience, every single time.
We pride ourselves on our impeccable attention to detail and thoughtful, customized approach to bridal and special event makeup. Our makeup artists (magicians) study your features and skin type to highlight and accentuate your natural beauty and create a balanced, bold finished look. We provide all materials and equipment for your convenience (that most other traveling makeup artists rely on you or your venue to supply) — tables, chairs, lights… and of course, products! We’ll even provide personalized product recommendations based on your unique skincare and makeup needs, so you can confidently put your best face forward on your big day and beyond. Lots of our brides tell us that one of their favorite parts of the entire wedding day is the unforgettable, stress-free experience of getting ready with their best girls and the Contoured By Katie team.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey are: 1. Strong Communication Skills
Strong communication skills are important in any job role, but they are especially important in the wedding industry. Having strong communication skills helps build trust between you and the Client and helps you build a reputable brand. A wedding day is one of the most important days of someone’s life and your Bride needs to make sure she can rely on you to respond in a timely manner. With this being said, it is crucial to set boundaries for yourself with communication. For example, if you state you will respond to emails within 48 hours, hold yourself accountable and make sure you do that. This will help you build credibility and loyalty.
2. Strong Organization Skills
Staying organized is crucial! As a wedding vendor, there are so many dates to remember with intricate details about each. I have learned it is important to plan in advance so that you are well-prepared and not stressed as the date comes closer. I would recommend investing in a software where you can organize and schedule your days. I use a CRM software, called HoneyBook, which has helped me stay organized with emails, bookings, payments, etc.
3. Strong Perseverance
Like any job, there are going to be good and bad days. You must have a strong mindset and believe in yourself in order to keep pushing and keep going. Even when there are times when you might doubt yourself, remember to keep persevering! With this being said, I think it is important to surround yourself with people who support you and your business because they will be there to support you and help you when times are tough.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
I think it’s important to do both! I believe that you should invest effort in improving areas you might not be as strong in, but also know where your strengths are and continue to market and prioritize that. I think continuing education in your profession is crucial to improving your work and becoming the best you can be. For example, I specialize in Bridal and full-glam makeup services but have attended other makeup artists’ classes on natural and minimal makeup services. Even though most of the clients I am attracting want my style of makeup, I wanted to invest in my education in an area that I do not normally do so that I can still provide this service if asked. This was very helpful for me, especially with doing wedding makeup as not all people in the bridal party (e.g., bridesmaids, mothers, grandmothers) want full-glam makeup.
However, I also believe that if you know what your strengths are and continue to work and improve on them, it will be more beneficial for building your business and brand long term. For instance, I mainly market and promote full-glam Bridal and special event makeup services and have created a niche by doing so. I have attended other makeup artists’ bridal courses and masterclasses to further my knowledge and skills in this area so that I can continue to perfect my craft. By mainly focusing on this, I am building a reputable brand image and attracting my ideal clients since they will know exactly what I specialize in.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.contourebykatie.com
- Instagram: @contouredbykatie
- Facebook: facebook.com/contouredbykatiewithers
- Other: TikTok: @contouredbykatie
Image Credits
Photos By: Sterrett Photography Serendipity Photography
