Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyndall Dinwiddie.
Hi Kyndall, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My glam journey started back in 2019. It was peak Youtube Makeup Tutorials era and I was fully invested. I watched tutorials every night out of pure wonder, delight and a longing to soak in as much as possible. My home collection of glam slowly grew, along with my skills on myself. Eventually, my skills got noticed enough for my peers to start asking me for touch-ups or fun makeovers every now and then. I was instantly whipped in the glam world; I mean who doesn’t love playing dress up with friends? Later in 2019, I got asked by a coworker to do her wedding makeup. Then in 2020, I got asked to do my cousin’s wedding makeup – thus my love for wedding makeup blossomed. Obviously, not a lot was going on in 2020 – so in January of 2021, I started Esthetics school. Six months later I had my Esthetician license and a newfound love for other services in the glam world on top of makeup. It was always my goal to have my own business. I worked a commission job for the majority of 2022, while also navigating being a first-time, new mom. In January of 2023, I opened my business 417 Glam Co. and have been in the same location since opening. My husband and I poured a lot of hard work and hours into creating my dream glam space. It is a space I am extremely proud of and a space I find a lot of comfort in. The services that I fell in love with at school were full body waxing, lashes, brows and of course, makeup; so those are the services that I advertise for my business currently. I am about to celebrate three years in my store front with no signs of slowing down!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting your own business is seldom a smooth journey. By the grace of God, I have an extremely supportive spouse who I could not have done any of it without. Having a strong support system is the backbone of it all! Two weeks into starting Esthetician school, I found out I was pregnant with my first child. Naturally, that came with obstacles of its own. I did my best to not let it affect my school work and education – although there were definitely a few power naps in the back of class. When I graduated school, I was six months pregnant; so I did not see it fit to start a career or new job until after my postpartum journey. In January of 2022, my actual first Esthetics job was a booth-renting agreement in a local hair salon. Starting your career booth-renting instead of commission is a feat all on its own. I was starting with pretty much zero clientele. I averaged around 1-2 clients a week. In March of 2022 is when I transferred from that arrangement to my commission job. My job at Tor Beauty is what really gave me the kick-start I needed into the Esthetics industry. I was able to grow my portfolio, clientele and overall skill within that business. That job gave me the confidence to branch out (again) for my own business.
Now I’m sure like other new business ventures, mine very much ebbed and flowed – and honestly still does. I have had extremely busy seasons, while also experiencing dead seasons. One of my hardest seasons with my business was when I left to have my second baby. I hired on an employee to cover for me while I was gone, but unfortunately it wasn’t the best fit for my business and my clientele; I ended up losing over half of my returning clientele. I had to return to work at four weeks postpartum just to make sure that my business would stay afloat. It was a very challenging season in multiple forms; I was only four weeks postpartum, so I was navigating physically healing while also learning how to be a mom to two children (and running on no sleep, of course) and also trying to do everything I could to get my clients back in the door. In all honesty, my business has still not recovered from that, even over a year later. Something I’ve learned along the way, is that success can’t happen without tenacity and persistence. Nevertheless, I am still here seeing new clients every week, researching what kind of deal I should try or what new angles I should pose my clients in front of the camera to get a larger response online. The passion I have for this business and this industry has never wavered.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
2025 was my biggest year for makeup services. I average around four special event glams every month. Some artists like to name their style, but I personally don’t. I feel like its limiting to my artistic skills. I love listening to the client and understanding their vision along with them. Sometimes not every client even understands their vision themselves, so a lot of the job is asking the right questions to get them there. I have done makeup for styled photoshoots, weddings, maternity shoots, family portraits, birthday parties, fashion shows, etc.. I personally just love being chosen and trusted with someone’s face so they can go and experience something special while also feeling extra good about themselves.
Something that I feel really proud of is my work that I’ve put into being a Metropolitan Weddings vendor. I have work on multiple of their magazine covers and spreads all throughout editorials displaying my work, but also me as well. I also do glam for their fashion shows and I truly love it. I have won three awards with Metro in my two years with them. It feels great to be recognized for all of the hard work I’ve poured into myself and this business!
As for in-salon services, I specialize in lashes. Lash extensions and lash lifts are my most common service. I feel very confident in my craft and I love getting to do it every week!
Something that I feel sets me apart from others I believe is the overall environment that I provide my clients – and not just in my salon. I pride myself in making each client feel very comfortable in my glam chair. Trusting someone with your face is a big deal and it should be treated that way! For a lot of clients, it’s their first time getting pampered or seeing their face completely different. It’s important to remember that. Sometimes its not about the glam at all; sometimes it could just be about the act of self-care, or even just someone that will talk to them and listen back. I truly try and treat every single client like they are my number one client. Each glam session is unique and special on its own. You will never feel rushed in and out of my chair; you will never feel unheard and you will never feel unsafe to voice your opinion because I am here to serve YOU. As my tagline goes, “because you’re worth it!”
How do you define success?
I believe success is being able to look back on something and feel PROUD about it. Sure, success could mean hitting annual goals or reaching a certain amount in your bank account, but does any of that matter if you don’t actually CARE about it? To me, its not about to numbers or the statistics; its about following through with my dream of having my own business AND loving my job every single day. That is success to me.
Pricing:
- Bridal/Special Event Glam $115-$270
Contact Info:
- Website: https://417glamco.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/417glamco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D86JsVAVc/?mibextid=wwXlfr
