Today we’d like to introduce you to Makenzie Hippard
Makenzie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2020, I went through cosmetology school in the height in covid. I started independently doing hair at 19. Sadly, with the state of the economy and other items, I shut down my first business. I worked at Target to get back on my feet and came across an opportunity to learn lashes. In a last attempt to use my cosmetology degree, I decided to jump and learn. While working two jobs, I caught on very quickly and became one of the fastest lash artists. I eventually quit Target and focused on just doing lash extensions. However, I started to feel a pull to be on my own and spread my wings. In hopes to better myself, after two years of dedicating myself to a franchise, I wanted to branch out on my own. It was time to be my own boss again, I wanted to make my own decisions to treat my clients how I want to honor them. After months of planning, setting up and research, I opened my business in June of 2024 and have been open ever since. It has been an amazing adventure. Being able to create decisions that better my business and getting to know my clients on a new level has been refreshing. I take pride in what I do and love what I do. Creating natural looking lash extensions has been a passion of mine, I love giving people that confidence they have looked for. Everyone is beautiful in their own way but I love creating something that makes them realize that for themselves.
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?
Truly, the hardest road I have dealt with is leaving my last job at the franchise that I was at. Sadly, the environment I was in destroyed my confidence. I was convinced that I couldn’t do this on my own. On top of this, my prior business had been dissolved due to hardship at 19. I went through a time where I didnt know if I wanted to continue cosmetology. This was while I was at my last place. I decided to go back to school and get a business degree, which I am still currently continuing. However, with everything involved, I believe this gave me more insight on what to expect this time around. I strived to do everything right this time around, almost so much that I became too much of a people pleaser. As the months have gone on, the confidence that wasn’t there, is there now. It is hard to accept that not everyone is for you and not everyone is for them. There’s nothing wrong with that but it makes a world of difference when you realize that the right clients will come with time. I absolutely love my clients, I want them to feel confident in what they choose and do with their lashes. I am beyond grateful to the people who have supported me along the way and the community around me. I am in school full time and working full time, it’s been hard but everything I’m doing is so rewarding. Once I finish my degree, I will be able to focus on my business with more information than before. While I started school for the reason of unhappiness, I have now turned it around to benefit my future in business. It’s been a bumpy road from day one but now that it’s leveled out, I know I made the right decision. I do not regret anything that’s happened along the way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I like to believe that above being a small business that I am an artist in ways. I have always loved the arts from singing in my youth, to plays and creating art. Cosmetology was the answer to all of these interests that I love. Lashes gave me a more detailed creative outlet to express those interests. Lash extensions have been around for a while but a lot of times they get a bad reputation. With that aside, I understand what I do isn’t for everyone but I do try to make people feel happy and confident in what they choose. The lash extensions I specialize in are placed in a “one to one” ratio. This means one natural lash to one lash extension. I am individually placing each lash. This is why sets can take two hours and refills around an hour. The lashes I do are meant to naturally enhance what my clients already have. While I do some sets that would be considered unnatural, I take into account your natural lash health and integrity. This is watched every visit you have with me, not just the first meeting. I will never do a set on someone unless their lashes can handle it. I take pride in the fact that I am honest and straightforward with my clients so we can avoid damage and other issues. A lot of people avoid lashes because they have heard that they are bad for your health. As long as you follow the system I have put in place for aftercare, you usually see more growth. I have and continue to research the best ways to do lashes and how to create healthy sets. I believe this sets me apart because I have the professional training and background to do this. I try to offer what I can but also do not offer sets that can potentially cause damage. I take pride in creating sets that people want to show off to their friends and brag that they look good. Along with this, I take pride in listening to my clients wishes to the best of my ability. I understand we are all human and if I missed the mark, I will do my best to understand where we can make it better from here. Creating an environment of trust, respect and love is all I’ve ever wanted to do.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Many people have crossed my path to get me here today. I try to look in the good in everything. No matter the situation, good or bad, it has created what I am today. If I were to single out anyone, It would be my parents, Michelle and Ben Hippard and my boyfriend TJ Ferrenbach. My parents made many sacrifices for me growing up due to them being younger parents. They did everything to make sure I got to do things that I loved in the arts. My parents knew I loved singing, acting and art. My mom even drove me in my young teen years almost 40 plus minutes away to act at an agency. Without their support, I would have never expanded into the artistic items I love today. My mom, who is also a business owner, helped me realize how rewarding it is to be self-employed. My mom was in college most of my youth while raising two of us kids. She opened her own business when I was in middle school. She has been thriving ever since. I take inspiration from her because if she did it then I can too. Both my parents made due with what they have and I feel it has humbled me as an adult. On the other hand, my boyfriend has been a huge supporter of this for me. He knew that starting my own business was going to be a challenge at first. TJ supported me and stayed by my side the whole way. I am so proud of him for what he has accomplished and done in this last year as well. My boyfriend is my everything and continues to be an amazing heartfelt person. He has brought color into my life when everything has seemed dull and it’s been an amazing last few years with him. The knowledge and confidence I have today can be credited towards my parents and boyfriend in a lot of ways. They have been by my side when others have not and when it’s gotten hard. That means a lot to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://salonlofts.com/makenzie_hippard
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ravenziebeauty/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/3EgL31UE3QKsG94y/?mibextid=JRoKGi
- Other: https://linktr.ee/RavenZieBeauty?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=38c10cc2-d9f1-4f60-b33b-211862ea511c
