Today we’d like to introduce you to Kym Small.
Hi Kym, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey as a hairstylist started when I was just a little girl in Jamaica, I spent lots of time getting my mom’s hair done for work, nursing school, and playing Barbie dolls with my neighbor. Then as I embraced adolescence, I found myself longing for nonessential things like getting my hair and nails done and shopping. My mom made it evident that I needed to have my own money to fund these activities. So the girls’ bathroom at my prominent high school in Kingston became a mini hair salon. From flat twists to braids, I was knocking out style after style in exchange for enough cash that I never had to ask my mom for much financial assistance to fund my lifestyle.
Fast forward to my second year of college when I found myself pregnant like most girls having their first child, my life spun a bit out of control. I shaved my head and occupied all my days binge-watching makeup and haircare videos on YouTube. I spent all my extra cash buying whatever makeup I could afford and dived through my uncle’s kitchen cabinet in his NY City apartment. I was making all the DIY hair cocktails you could imagine. From ayeurvedic henna, and oil blends to flax seed gels and my own deep conditioners and shampoo. This was my only means of therapy during one of the most tumultuous times of my life. Just like most psych patients spend lots of time coloring or painting, I spent most of my day doing my makeup and hair, just to take it down/remove it and do it all over again.
A quick travel along the timeline to 5 years in the future, found me pregnant again with my second daughter. As fate would have it, it seemed I was most motivated by bringing life into this world to think deeply about my own life. To assess where I am, if I’m on the right path, and if not, what can I do to reroute myself? I decided, with help from my husband, to pursue being a professional makeup artist. I became very discontented with trading all my time to corporations who only knew me as an employee number while hardly ever having money or time for those dearest to me. I figured if I could spend the same time and energy into building my own business, then, just maybe, I would not only have enough to set us up financially, but I could create a legacy for my kids and their kids long after I’m gone. So I gave birth to my first LLC with the last $1000 I had saved from being on maternity leave. I dived in head first and engulfed myself in the industry, I watched masterclass after masterclass and was practicing on my mom and all her friends. Before long, I started getting paying clients on my off days and even started working on my first commercial jobs. In just 2 years, I worked on my first bridal expo, on over 15 different shoots, got my first 2 publications, worked over 35 weddings, and even modeled a bit.
My husband’s military career led us to Savannah, Georgia which I absolutely adore! With SCAD and Savannah being one of the biggest bridal industries in the country, even though relocating had its challenges, my career really took off here. I’ve had the opportunity to work on several SCAD Productions, film sets, and fashion shows and work with the leading bridal hair and makeup teams in Savannah, Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Charleston. I created my second LLC here, got licensed as a Master Cosmetologist, and bought my first home.
These days you can find me teaching classes at my alma mater Empire Beauty School, and mentoring upcoming hair and makeup artists, I work full-time at Enchanted Salon specializing in Luxury hair extensions, keratin treatments, and color. I have slowed down a bit in the bridal industry while pivoting to just being behind the chair for a while. As a mom of now 3 and wifey, I have transitioned so much in my career. I find myself longing for some stability and just wanting to pour back into the future generation of stylists and makeup artists. I have enjoyed a very exciting career that has placed me in rooms I never imagined, worked on ATL & NY fashion week, traveled to do destination weddings, etc but I’m really happiest in my backyard watching kids play and enjoying a good games night or movie night.
This new chapter in my life is focused on really cementing myself in my field and creating that legacy I dreamed of when I created my first LLC. We’re well on the way but have only just scratched the surface. I’d love for you to follow my journey as a stylist so feel free to catch me on. the socials. My YouTube channel is “The Luxe Beauty Queen” for educational content and my vlog channel is “The Small Things”. You can find me on Instagram as @_theluxebeautyqueen or @kymmi_kynz
Until next time,
Kym 🖤
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the main challenges I’ve faced is trying to find the perfect balance between entrepreneurship and family. There’s never enough time in a day and that mom guilt of “Am I working too much” and “I want to create the best life possible for my kids.” The second challenge I face is trying to navigate the world of entrepreneurship. Being from a family of career women and prominent degree holders, left me feeling ill-equipped to make informed decisions with very little guidance. I’ve had to learn as I go and sometimes I feel things are taking me much longer because of my inexperience and not being aware of my available resources as a small business owner.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I spend my week in salon, specializing in Luxury hair extensions like K-tips, hand-tied extensions, micro links, UV and every other type of extension you can imagine. I also specialize in Keratin treatments and lived in color.
On most weekends I work on a few bridal parties. My makeup signature style is soft glam and classic hairstyles.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I’ve learned a lot along the way, but some of my biggest takeaways are; that comparison is truly the thief of joy, entrepreneurship relies heavily on the relationships you form along the way, and always keep learning.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theluxebeautyqueen.com and https://www.makeupbykymsmall.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_theluxebeautyqueen
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@theluxebeautyqueen
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/thebridalsuitega
