I, Kat Jeske, officially have announced my retirement. I no longer will be doing Makeup. After 9 long years, countless Weddings, Pageants, Proms, date nights, charity events and just cause's.
I became a Makeup Artist at a dark time in my life. I had dropped out of college, It was very hard for me to get through high school. I never actually saw a successful future for myself. Playing with makeup made me feel like for once in my life, I was good at something. I was practicing on friends and the feeling of excitement to show them what I had done was addicting. I then looked into how could I make a living off of this and I stumbled upon Esthetics. I quickly realized I didn't have the money to fund school, the second I felt that fire in me, it was on. I worked 3 sometimes 4 jobs to support myself and save up for school.
My life changed when the bareminerals boutique I worked at, Bare Beauty, got bought by a different owner. I was told that she most likely wouldn't be keeping us as employees, which I later found out was a lie. I had applied for a full time job and prayed I got it, thinking I was going to lose my main job. When I met the new Owner, Chrisi. I had no idea that my life would change forever. Chrisi had big plans for the store and even though I had found a full time job I helped out at Bare as much as I could. I loved working for her.
She eventually moved us Downtown to a new location, it was beautiful. We went from carrying bareminerals makeup to clothes and accessories. I had been working 2 years when finally, after not having the best luck with store managers, Chrisi offered me a full time job managing what was now called PB&J. I was being treated horribly by my current boss, my mental health was suffering. I took the position and that job changed everything. I got to do Makeup a lot more since we had a full counter. I loved the control Chrisi gave me of the store. I felt like I was really been taken seriously.
I told Chrisi how I had been wanting to go to Esthetics School but was still coming up short. She came back a few days later with boxes of clothes that we were putting on clearance. She said "price these however you want, whatever you make off of them, put towards school" I couldn't believe her kindness. She knew I would have to leave working for her but she told me she wanted me to chase my dream. After a few more months I had enough for school. I will never forget what Chrisi did for me, one day I hope to do the same for someone else.
Chrisi and her husband, Cody, are two of the most selfless people I've ever met. If you've ever had a chance to work for them then you know exactly what I mean. She believed in me so much and I will always hold her near and dear to my heart. Her giving me control of the store made me want to open Poppy's. I absolutely love the creativity it takes to stage retail and the backend of doing the shopping is just the cherry on top. I think of Chrisi all the time, she never misses a moment to tell me how proud she is of me. I never thought I would actually OWN a Salon and my own Retail store. I just thought I'd go to Beauty school and work for someone else.
Makeup is where I got my start. Now I own a successful Wax Salon. We have 9 treatment rooms and a lash lounge. Located in our beautiful Downtown just a block away from PB&J. Life truly comes full circle. Now that I have so much more responsibility it was time to hang up one of my many hats. I finished with 2 awards, traveled to 6 states, met some amazing people and had the pleasure of being a part of so many Bride's Big Day.
It's now on to bigger and betta things, queens and kings. Makeup is where I got my start and I am forever thankful for the career it's paved for me. I want to do more with our Community and both of my businesses. I can't wait to keep making positive changes in our Downtown.
The Salina Esthetician,
Kat Jeske
xoxo
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