Rising Stars: Meet Silvia Duckworth of Kansas City Missouri

Today we’d like to introduce you to Silvia Duckworth.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As a little girl, and as long as I can remember I loved makeup, and even though smokey eyes weren’t in, I would burn a piece of wood and use the charcoal as my eyeliner and eyeshadow. I also carried a piece of brick for my blush and scraped some into my Vicks For lipsticks. When I was young my best friend worked at a makeup counter and she got me a job at the perfume counter but, I would always find myself at the makeup counter, showing ladies what would look good on them. We also did some freelance for some modeling agencies to teach young girls how to apply their makeup and would also do the makeup for their fashion shows. I moved to Kansas City where I started working for Mario Tricoci. I felt right at home with all of those talented artists. I had the privilege to work there for 16 years with a group of strong leaders of women ( Cheryl Santucci, Claudia Fabian, Lisa Kostka, and Laura Grguric) who taught me how to be the businesswoman I am today. It was very hard for me when Mario Tricoci’s decided to close his Kansas City locations. I cried a lot, felt lost because I was wrapped in a blanket with all these talented leaders where all I had to do was show up and work hard to make them proud. There’s wasn’t anything like Mario Tricoci! One of My clients had a tanning salon called Bellezza in Brookside where I mentioned the business idea of a blow-out beauty bar, but unfortunately, we realized that it’s very hard to run a commission sale-based salon. It was very difficult to manage people and make a decent profit.

The new owner raise the rent and we couldn’t afford to stay there, so we ended up closing Bellezza salon. This was the best experience after Mario Tricoci, but I still didn’t feel ready to go on my own. The expense of the equipment and products was very scary financially for my family.

I got a job at a place that claim to be the best in Kansas City, it looked very shiny and promising, needless to say, it worst place I ever worked. I hardly made any money and I was forced to go on my own. I cashed out the 401K that I built up the years of working at Mario Tricoci to finally make the step into my own space.

It was a very stressful transition. The first few months of not knowing if I was going to have any clients or make any money. I got everything set up in a week, attained my business license, contacted all of my clients, via text, email, voicemail, and I started having communication with some of them. I continued to work hard and my clients showed me their support, loyalty, and thanks to all of them I have my dream job! I have been in my own studio now for 5 years. I own an exclusive line of cosmetics, such as mineral custom blends, foundations, lipsticks, lip stains, the list goes on, as well as skincare products.

I do a lot of airbrush makeup applications for weddings, special events, Galas, graduations, photoshoots, fashion shows/shoots, and family pictures. I also offer makeup lessons where I teach each client to customize and personalize their look, base on their bone structure, color hair, eye color, skin tone, and age. I also show them how to go from a day to night look from a more natural to dramatic look!

I also have a facial room, where I educate my clients on how to take care of their skin, so they can look younger and feel good in the skin they own.

I wanted to do all of the best treatments, that deliver effective results, but still, have a relaxing experience.

My hydrafacial machine and my Lightwave LED light are the best investments I’ve made, but I also customized all my facials depending on the client’s skin needs. I also do peels and anti-aging facials.

I carry exclusive cosmeceutical products, some of my favorite skincare lines are: Skinceutical, Olga Lorencin, BKamins, ABI skin, and Korean skincare

Along with teaching my clients how to look and feel their best, I do custom spray tans. My clients love it because they get that instant natural glow gratification without damaging their skin with the UV rays from the sun. I sincerely love and enjoy my career. It’s like chatting with friends while teaching and learning

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Not at all, but I never shied away from work.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a business owner, an artist, and a consultant/ adviser/ teacher. I want them to know that I am a one-stop-shop for all their beauty needs.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Absolutely! Don’t stay home and wait for clients to call you, stay in touch. Consistent communication with your clients is key, even if you don’t have anyone on your books, get dressed up and show up to your place of work ready to take on the day. You may get a walk-in or a co-worker may become a client who is interested in products or services you do. I also recommend staying active on all social media platforms.

Pricing:

• $50
• $100
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• $250

Contact Info:

• Email: Bellisimabysilvia@gmail.com
• Website: http://bellisimabysilvia.wixsite.com/website
• Instagram: Bellisimabysilvia
• Facebook: Bellisimabysilvia
• Twitter: Bellisimabysilvia
• Yelp: Bellisimabysilvia