Meet Millie Warren

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Millie Warren. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Millie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I found my purpose when I started living for myself. I was the kid who loved to draw. I drew constantly in my notebook, on my homework, on the chalk and dry-erase boards . . . I just liked drawing. When I grew up and went to college, everyone told me to “have a survival job,” as working in the arts “wasn’t realistic.” So I began working in the television news industry. I worked for two different news stations. I wasn’t happy. I didn’t enjoy the environment and I didn’t enjoy the work. I decided I wanted to switch professions, so as I worked my current job, I slowly transitioned into building my own business. After several months, I built my own entertainment business where I work as a kids party entertainer! I decided I would be a face painting fairy!

THIS is when I started living for myself. I’m able to live my life as I want, doing what I want, making myself happy as I make others happy. And I get to draw! For hours upon hours every week. Sometimes, I spend hours drawing the same Fairy Unicorn, a popular design among kids. Other times, I have kids throw complete curveballs at me, like a banana holding an apple. Many times adults enjoy being painted, with Mike Tyson’s tattoo being popular with men, and flowers being popular with women. Although, sometimes, I get an adult who’ll tell me “Artist’s Choice,” and I’ll paint things like Golden Freddy from Five Nights at Freddy, or Handsome Squidward from Spongebob.

This, I believe, is me finding my purpose. Human life should not be full of drudge. Our talent shouldn’t be shelved and collecting dust. We should all have the ability to live a life doing what we love, contributing toward others with our gifts. That is the purpose of human life.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a kids party entertainer, known as the Face Painting Fairy! I provide face painting, waterproof face painting, glitter and shimmer tattoos, ambient bubbles, kid in a bubble, a bubble show, a glitter bar, and party games! My team and I travel the state creating smiles and happy memories for families and friends.

I’m fortunate enough to entertain at festivals, fairs, weddings, birthday parties, community events, church events, Halloween parties, daycares, school graduation parties . . . Really, any time you want to add some fun to your event, Parties Galore is here to create smiles and happy memories!

I get to meet so many unique and interesting people. I’ve met tourists from other countries, competitive acapella singers, a woman who competed on a television cooking show . . . And I get to hear some incredible stories! Like the time a child told me they were a cosmic alien because they were born on a flying comet right as it flew over China. The imagination and storytelling these kids do!

I’m a people person and I love hearing stories, telling jokes, and just creating smiles and happy memories for families, friends, and even myself.

We’re entering the busiest month of the year: October. My team and I are scheduled to paint at a few company picnics, school harvest festivals, private birthday parties, and we even have some private appointments for spooky Halloween makeup.

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?

I would say I’m successful because I’m willing to reinvent myself. I started off as a princess entertainer and found that was difficult for several reasons (unrealistic client expectations, unfortunate parent insertion when we should be focusing on the birthday child, and uncomfortable adult flirtation). Looking at those experiences early on, I decided it would be best to reinvent myself and to become a fairy. Here I could be myself, as no one knew what to expect!

It’s okay to experiment, to learn what works and what doesn’t, and to learn and grow. Don’t think of it as “I did this wrong,” reframe it as, “This didn’t work for me.”

The second quality, I would say, is to be momentous. There will be days when you feel in a funk. You’ll have Executive Dysfunction and you just won’t know what to do. Here it’s important to build momentum. For me, I find when I’m feeling apathetic and lethargic, it helps to do little chores. What is a small task that can be done quickly, or with little effort? Complete those. You’ll find that builds momentum and will help create dopamine. Then you can usually tackle something that takes bit more effort. Like practicing your craft, or maintaining your space.

The third quality would be: be thorough! If you’re going to work on or do something, be thorough! Focus on the quality, even if it takes a little longer. Why would you want to do something half-baked, have it turn out a way that you’re not entirely proud of, only to decide to re-do it? It’s better to take your time, be thorough, and to be proud of the results. It’ll save you time and will prevent you from becoming stressed and frustrated.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

Two years ago, I took a multi-million dollar company to small claims court after they acted malicious toward me after I voiced several concerns to them regarding public safety and unhygienic bathrooms. Instead of responding professionally, the company stole and hide my business property, retroactively charged me fees, imposed arbitrary and unsubstantiated fines upon me, threatened me, and terminated my contract, thus severing our working business relationship. I provided my face painting services on their property during the busy fall season for four years.

This was a challenging because at that time, I was in business for seven years and I never experienced anything like this. I knew I was treated unfairly and I knew I wanted to stand up for myself. Their actions resulted in a financial loss for my business and I wanted to be made whole. So I decided to pursue this legally.

I spent entire days and weeks preparing for our court date, making sure I was prepared for everything – even for any potential lies and curveballs they may present. After a successful case, they appealed, and we went to court again. I won my case for a second time.

It’s been six months since I won the appeal and they refuse to pay the judgment. While the court system doesn’t “make” them pay, they can help enforce your effort to collect. So again, I spent days reading on the legal process, filling out every court form, going to the appropriate entities . . . Doing everything I can to ensure I receive what was awarded to me.

This includes putting a lien on their business property and levying their bank accounts. At this time, I am waiting on the results of the bank levy.

It’s a stressful and time consuming process, but it has helped me grow. I’ve become more grounded, less of a people pleaser, and I’ve embraced myself. I could have just “let this go,” but instead I realized I was worth the time. I was worth the effort.

You are absolutely worth the effort it takes to pursue and to receive justice. It’s stressful and time consuming, but holding others accountable when they treat you maliciously is something I’m willing to pursue.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

All of the face painting images were taken by me, Millie Warren.
The photo of the little girl blowing bubbles was taken by my friend Shanna Rayyan.
The photo of the little girl and myself in the bubble was taken by photographer Bilal Noorzai.

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