Today we are introducing you to Zara who is a freelance makeup artist in the Pilbara and has found success in remote Western Australia.
Zara’s small business offers services that include beauty and bridal makeup, special effects and face or body paint. She has been operating since August last year and has found it challenging living in remote WA as she often has to drive long distances to get to her clients. Despite this, Zara enjoy the impact that operating Makeup by Zara Parker has had on her career and family life.
“The biggest change would be being more independent, motivated and excited for what comes next. I am doing what I love and making extra income for my family and myself.”
Meet Zara
I am a stay at home mum but before that, I studied at the College of Specialist Makeup, where I completed my Diploma in Screen & Media (Specialist Makeup) and my Certificate II in Makeup & Skin Care. The diploma I did runs through everything makeup related. We learnt beauty makeup, stage and theatre, special effects, face painting etc. I studied my certificate for three months and my diploma for one year. I was a great experience and loved every second of it.
After completing my diploma, makeup was something I really loved and enjoyed doing so I wanted to start a business and make it my career. Also, I am a parent now and my son is 1.5 years old, so it’s a great way to balance family time with also earning an income.
I was referred to Many Rivers through the Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation.
Working With Many Rivers
John helped me with my business plan and my cash flow forecast. Our next step is marketing but I am waiting to get a laptop so we can do the marketing plan on that. That helped me heaps, as I loved going through the business plan and sorting that all out. John was such a great mentor and helped me out every bit of the way. It’s good to see the planning through the cash flow forecast – how much your income is and how much you’re spending. I didn’t realise how much I could be making at the end of each month, so it was a good overview. I think I got a better understanding of how businesses work. When we were working through the business plan, John was telling me stuff I didn’t even know about or think of, and that was really helpful.
John gave me very good advice and is a great mentor. He wants to help my business grow even more. Even after we finished the business plan, he maintains regular contact. He is always messaging me to see if I need any other help, like with opening up a bank account or researching things like insurance. I know he is there for the long run not just short term.
Biggest Challenge
The biggest challenge has been living in such a remote town. I don’t get as many clients as I would if I was living in a city or a larger town. In the future, my family and I are wanting to move to a bigger town. There will be more opportunities and clients. COVID-19 has also been a challenge over the past few months with all of the restrictions in place and the beauty industry being forced to not operate. I’ve had to cancel a lot of appointments and have had missed opportunities.
Biggest Success
The biggest success would be being a qualified makeup artist and having my business finalised.
Future Goals for Makeup by Zara Parker
I want to further my studies with beauty therapy. One day I want to open up a beauty salon, where people would come to get their makeup done, waxing, spray tanning, and haircuts.
Thanks Zara for sharing your business journey with Makeup by Zara Parker so far. We are excited to be joining you on this journey as it continues.
We love to encourage more people to take the first step towards kick starting their small businesses ideas.
Do you want to make your small business dreams a reality? We’re here to support you the whole way.
Please take the Small Business Self Assessment and see if we are right for you.
Keen to read about another Many Rivers client story? Read about Daniel who runs Strait Removals, a successful furniture removal business in The Torres Strait.
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