Meet Trailblazer Kacie McIntosh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kacie McIntosh.

Kacie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up at a young age, I would subject my little brothers to playing dress-up and doing their hair and makeup. Not knowing that what they saw as torture would translate into the incredible career I have today. After high school, I did a year of college as a theater major. It was there that I realized I wanted to do something more creative than just sitting behind a desk. Just like the fun I had dressing up my brothers, I loved the feeling of being back stage doing it for a theatre production. I finished that year of college and left to enroll in cosmetology school! After the education I got during school, I still felt like I needed to further my knowledge in the cosmetology industry. I participated in two internships to continue to develop my passion. Luckily, I was able to work and learn from some really talented people before becoming a stylist on my own. At that time, I met an amazing photographer who needed someone to help her with photoshoots. I worked for free a lot and I worked every day I had off I could to keep the connection going. Eventually, a bride asked me to do her wedding and it was then that word of mouth started spreading and I started to get inquiries for weddings. It was growing faster than I ever anticipated so even though I was scared I took a leap of faith and started Beauty Mark By Kacie over two years ago and it has been the best decision I have ever made!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
What great story ever started without a few bumps in the road! I would say in the beginning my biggest struggle was finding the funds to get started, at first, I had no money to get a full makeup kit so I would go buy the lightest foundation I could then the darkest and just mix them to match people skin tones. My makeup kit was a small makeup box and my hair product I used was an old-line my hair salon was throwing out. I don’t know how I ever got hired! Now that I am established, I would say my biggest struggle is the balance of time. I put my heart into my work and love what I do that I forget sometimes that everyone needs time to themselves. Since I work for myself now, I am the one that has to create that time~ Basically, I need to learn how to say no! My biggest advice and how I got where I am today is to keep learning and always ask people for help. Find someone you admire and ask them if you can assist them! There is a lot of working for free in the beginning to build your portfolio, but it is worth it in the long term to get that experience.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Beauty Mark By Kacie – what should we know?
I am a hair and makeup artist! I would say I am best known for my work in the bridal industry. Along with that, I work in a salon during the week and do commercial photoshoots when I can! I would say the biggest thing that sets me apart from other stylists is the love and heart I put into my work. My clients and brides are more than just “work” they are family to me. I like to build and maintain a relationship with everyone I cross paths with. To feel like it is more than just a transaction and build a genuine connection is really motivating to me. The best part about my job is that it may seem simple to others, but we have the ability to change someone’s day, someone’s week, or even their life. You get to see people change jobs, get married, have babies, it is incredibly special to be a small part of it all.

Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
My childhood played a significant role in where I am at today. My parents separated when I was in elementary school with me being one of six kids. Being the second oldest, I naturally became the caregiver to my younger siblings. Through much adversity in the separation, I had to grow up faster than the people around me. Helping take care of all my younger siblings really developed a deep-rooted desire to help the people closest to me. I always have had a big heart, but that changed me into realizing that I am passionate about making people happy in my own unique way.

Contact Info:

• Website: beautymarkbykacie.com
• Phone: 720-939-2170
• Email: kmcintosh7191@gmail.com
• Instagram: Kacie_McIntosh

Image Credit:
Courtney Ross Photography, Sarah Porter Photography

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