Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nikki Murray. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nikki, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
A little over a year ago, I heard a friend describe me to someone else, saying “Nikki never fails because she doesn’t allow herself to fail.” I had never considered myself in that light before, but after hearing those words I’ve allowed them to become a motto through which I overcome all obstacles.
Overcoming obstacles has been something I’ve had to do my entire life, just like…well…anyone, really. Life throws curveballs and all of us have endured hardships of varying degrees. But my resilience truly stems from looking every hurdle the Universe has thrown my way dead in the eye and finding a way to claw over it, around it, or through it. When I mention these “hurdles”, I’m not referring to simple “first world problems” either – I’m reflecting on massive traumatic hardships ranging from abusive relationships, breast cancer, suspected infertility, mental illness including suicidal ideation, and even temporary homelessness.
My resilience and “refusal to fail” comes from knowing this is the one life I get, and I will decide what direction it takes no matter what I have to come up against to get there.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I would describe myself as a “Jack of All Trades” who has managed to, somehow, combine my passions into the creative lifestyle of my dreams. I loved to paint, dance, sing, act, teach, and make people laugh.
But two big, overarching themes have always felt like “my purpose”: 1. Creating art, and 2. Providing people with something of value.
Over many years of life and 11 years actively working in entertainment, those two purposes have evolved in amazing ways. I started dabbling in (and fell in love with) makeup artistry, and after 10 years of being a public school teacher, I resigned from the field and went back to school to get my Esthetics license. I continued to “create” through the arts of comedy, burlesque, modeling, cosplay, and bodypainting. I provided people with value through education, entertainment, or relaxation and results through skincare/Esthetics work.
In 2023, I own my own business called Everlast Esthetics, which is a suite through which I provide a wide range of spa services and makeup artistry. I create content and provide entertainment under the brand Nikki M Artistry as a bodypainter, SFX Makeup Artist, Cosplayer, and Entertainer.
Through my Esthetics suite, I offer customized, results-driven facials, full body hair removal using sugar paste, brow tinting & lamination, lash tinting & lifting, beauty & bridal makeup, and Reiki.
My more “artsy” ventures as Nikki M Artistry takes me on the road to anime & comic conventions or other vendor events to showcase live work on models, or run a variety of panel programming that spans makeup, skincare, improv, burlesque, and branding.
Somehow, between all of these endeavors, I still make time to be a present wife to a really awesome husband, and an involved mother to an extra awesome little girl.
(Spoiler Alert – it’s because I don’t sleep much)
But what has been the most amazing about this entire journey, is being able to make a comfortable living as an artist – something I was told often by the well-meaning adults in my young life wouldn’t be possible, or would be only be possible if I was okay with being dirt poor. When people told me, “You can’t”, I said “Watch me” – which is a quality I hope to instill in my daughter so that she can grow up and take over the world in her own way (considering she will dive headfirst into and off of anything despite our parental protests for her safety, we are likely well on our way).
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?
1. Work Ethic 2. Motivation
3. Paying Attention to the Right People
These three things probably seem “too obvious”, but they’re necessities. Nothing is handed to us, nor are we automatically entitled to receive opportunities. You have to want something so badly, that you’re willing to set goals and do what you have to do to commit to achieving those goals. What helped me stay motivated was paying attention to the most successful people in my area and watching how they carry themselves, what they do well, how they talk about success/business, and how I can set myself apart – not to do things “better” – but to have additional value to offer the world.
A word of caution, though – have work ethic. Be motivated. But know your physical and mental limits. Rest is important (and yes, I say this as someone who just joked about never sleeping). If you don’t give yourself a break your body will force you to take a break. Make sure you are keeping yourself healthy, or your endeavors will be short-lived due to burnout.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
Setting boundaries.
Like I said in the last question – knowing my limits – physically, mentally, and emotionally.
It is okay to say no. If it gives you an icky feeling in your gut, if it fills you with a sense of dread and obligation rather than excitement – say no.
I used to say yes to absolutely everything because of “FOMO”, or out of a fear of disappointing others. I have learned that protecting my peace is the priority. Being at peace makes me a better wife and mother and career woman. There will be people who don’t agree with how you choose to protect your peace, and those people don’t matter. Boundaries are there to keep you healthy and happy, and if you are not healthy nor happy, success will be that much harder to achieve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/nikkimartistry
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/nikkimartistry
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/nikkimartistry
- Other: https://linktr.ee/everlast.esthetics
https://everlastbynikki.square.site
