Today we’d like to introduce you to Johan Goolcharan.
Hi Johan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
My story actually starts back at the beginning of 2020. I was currently a cosmetology student just a few months after graduation. A close friend of mine is a professional wedding photographer and had asked me if I wanted to do hair or makeup for a photoshoot she was doing. I had no interest previously in wedding hair or makeup but I decided to say yes to the opportunity.
The night before the photoshoot I had stayed up late till about 2 AM getting hair and makeup inspiration for this shoot because I felt like I had no idea what I was doing. After that experience, I received a lot of compliments on the work I did, and I felt like this could be a possible career path for me. I had worked with other wedding vendors to get my name out there. I graduated from school and wanted to figure out what my next move was. I had still kept my full-time office job had worked to put me through school, and I worked part-time at a salon.
Eventually, I realized that I didn’t want to work for anyone else’s success but my own. I quit my office job and salon job. I sat down and really thought about what I wanted to do. I still loved doing hair and makeup, just not in a salon setting. I decided I wanted to freelance and become a hair and makeup artist. I specialize in formal hair and makeup and bridal When I am not working on photoshoots or weddings, I booth rent a cute studio located in Draper, UT.
I set my own hours, my own schedule. I have been doing this now for about 2.5 years and have learned so much and worked hard to get to where I am today. I am constantly always looking out for new opportunities and ways for me to grow as a business owner and as an artist.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Running a business is never easy. There will always be challenges. I heard this saying “I quit my 9-5 job, so I can work 24 hours”. Honestly, at first, that is true haha. I feel like I am so focused on running my business. Being a freelance wedding hair and makeup artist, you get so many early morning jobs, from 2-4 AM to 6-8 AM. Running my other business doing hair in my salon studio too.
I get so busy on the weekends that I try to fit all my appointments during the week and work sometimes up until 11 PM. So far things haven’t been too hard. I would say the biggest challenge I’ve faced is overworking myself. Last year October was such a busy month and I was burnt out. I’ve done better to try to handle burnout and work exhaustion by remembering to listen to my body. If my body is telling me to rest, I will rest.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a freelance hair and makeup artist. I specialize in bridal/weddings however I cater to all occasions. It could be just date night or your birthday and you want your hair and makeup done. I am also a hairstylist and rent a studio salon in Draper. I specialize in cuts and colors.
I would say what sets me apart as a hairstylist is that I’ve worked on clients with textured hair, or (ethnic hair). My client’s ethnicities range from Asian, Pacific Islander, Caucasian, and Latino, to African American. I have experience working with hair types from all ethnicities which I would consider to make me proud. The same goes for my freelance hair and makeup business. I love diversity, so I love to include that in my work.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
In 5 years, I could see myself still doing this but having employees. I’d like to create a hair and makeup agency and hire talented artists and assign them to gigs. In 10 years, I would like for businesses to keep growing, but I’d love to retire. I am a huge believer in working hard and making your money so that you can later enjoy life.
Contact Info:
- Email: beautybyjohan@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautybyjohan/
Image Credits:
@terraong, @briparkinphotography, and @laurabethany.photo
