Meet Cassidy C. Bulwan | Makeup Artist & Owner of Summit Beauty Makeup Artistry

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cassidy C. Bulwan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassidy C., can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I live in a unique part of the state of Colorado. The Durango area has become a popular destination location for weddings. It’s also an area full of amazing companies and small businesses who needed makeup artists for styled marketing photos shoots. I have been doing makeup since 2008, but I never took the time to start up a real business for myself. I wasn’t even sure I had what it took to run a success business. After observing, researching, and talking to several friends within the beauty industry, it became clear this area needed makeup artists. After a lot of thinking, praying and nudging from my loving husband, I felt like it was time to take my passion to the next level. Taking that leap of faith to start my own business and believing in myself was the hardest part. All the “what-ifs” started coming to mind. What if I fail? What if they don’t like my work? What if I lose money? At that point confidence in myself, my skills, and my faith had to overcome the “what-ifs”.
I’m so thankful it did! My business has grown faster than I could have ever imagined. I work with brides all over the state and out of state. I work with wonderful local businesses and out of state companies on styled marketing shoots. As they say, when you are doing what you love, it isn’t really work. I truly enjoy my job as a makeup artist. Helping people to look and feel their very best is truly rewarding.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I would say staying humble and building a relationship with my clients is what sets me apart. As a makeup artist and business owner I believe it’s very important to stay humble. You should never stop learning, growing and improving your skills in both makeup and business. The makeup industry is forever evolving, and it is a very competitive industry to work in, that inspires me to push myself and keep learning. My client relationships are also very important to me. I enjoy taking the time to get to know the person who is sitting in my chair. What are their thoughts and emotions? What look are they going for and why? I want my clients to walk away not only feeling beautiful but understood. That’s the recipe for a wonderful experience.

I first started doing bridal makeup in 2008 as a small side job in college for close friends and family. I soon discovered how good it felt to bring happiness and confidence to others on those special days they want to remember forever. Word started to spread and pretty soon I was doing makeup for friends of friends and people I didn’t know. Over the past 9 years I have expanded into photography makeup and special event makeup. Events such as styled shoots advertising and marketing, galas, professional work events, and personal makeovers are some of my specialties. At the beginning there were definitely some trial-and-error moments. Believe me, I was not an expert when I first started. I had to learn color matching, how to work with different skin types and textures, symmetry, how to work with different eye shapes and what to do when people have skin allergies. There is no better way to learn and overcome challenges than to just get in there and do it. Thankfully I had friends and family to practice on!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would start the morning off with some coffee from Durango Joe’s Coffee Company before jumping into the Animas River for some early-morning paddle-boarding. We would have brunch at El Moro Spirits and Tavern where they serve amazing breakfast and old-fashioned morning cocktails. After brunch we would walk down the historical Durango main street, full of unique shops and beautiful 19th century architecture. After our day in Durango, we would head back to my house and kick our feet up on my beautiful back patio. Dinner would entail grilling our very own home-grown pork chops raised at Leaning Tree Farms. To finish the day off, we would head to Fox Fire Farms Winery and find a spot under a big cottonwood tree where we can lounge in the grass, sip some fantastic local wine, listening to live folk music from a local band.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I first must thank my parents. I have loved art and makeup since I was a little girl. My mom has been one of my greatest inspirations. She has always worn makeup and she has always worn it well. I was obsessed with her makeup drawer when I was growing up. That drawer was full of so many products, colors, pallets, and brushes. It was like magical drawer full of art for your face. I used to sit in her bathroom and watch her put makeup on, thinking I can’t wait until I can do the same and look just like her. When I went off to college, I decided I was going to major in art and business thinking my parents would be ashamed of the art major and probably tell me to just stick with business, but they never blinked an eye. They cheered me on every step of the way. If it weren’t for their love and support throughout my entire life, I’m not sure I would have continued to work towards my passions.

Secondly, I must thank my amazing husband. He pushed me to take that very big leap of faith. He did nothing but speak positive words into me and encourage me to jump. He could see I had everything I needed to launch a successful small business. He has a great passion for finance, and he showed me it was possible to run a professional business effectively and efficiently. He created everything I needed to manage my business on the financial side of things. I can honestly say he is the reason I started Summit Beauty Makeup Artistry. He believed in my ability, my skills, and my passion. I will forever be grateful to him.

Website: www.summitbeautyllc.com

Email: summitbeautyllc@gmail.com

Instagram: @summitbeauty_llc

Facebook: Summit Beauty Makeup Artistry

Other: Google business profile- Summit Beauty Makeup Artistry

Image Credits
Picture #1 Cassidy Cheyenne Photography Picture #2 Cassidy Cheyenne Photography Pictures #3 Cassidy Cheyenne Photography Picture #4 Maia Clark Picture #5 Kirstie Marie Photography Picture #6 Kirstie Marie Photography Picture #7 Aubrey Beth Photography