Alyson has left the building…Say goodbye to Olde Towne

It is such a strange thing to know you are going to write a message…. And it is going to be heard by whomever is listening…..

Today I left my studio at Olde Towne Athletic Club. I had been there for over 5 years. It took less than an hour to pack up and load my car. My car filled with 5 years of effort, is sitting in my parking space in front of my condo. 

Hmmmm…… I am on a plane heading to Texas to be mentored in business so I can be the BEST CEO….and lead Authentic Beauty to greatness.

I went to Olde Towne Athletic Club because I had integrity.  I had been with Joseph and Friends for over 6 years. I had to give my notice.  It was over a “non-negotiable”. They chose to ignore the parameters I laid down as a requirement for my employment.

 Do you know what your non-negotiables are? Where would you have to end relationships if they crossed your boundaries?

 If I had stayed it would dishonored my soul. I went to Olde Towne having no idea if I would make it.  I just knew I couldn’t stay at J&f. I became completely and totally, fully self -employed. CAN YOU SAY  SCAREY!!!!!!!!!! 

I had no idea how it was going to go. I borrowed money from my Dad to purchase inventory. Within 60 days, Aveda, who,after 18 years of being their top artist/sales, cut me off. Their latest marketing strategy was that they were only going to sell to salons and not to individual artists, working independently of an Aveda salon. They left me with 2 grand worth of inventory and wondering how I was going to make it given that my husband and I separated and I was now a single mother FULLY SELF EMPLOYEED. I had few options available to access professional makeup .  If you didn’t know you can not purchase dept store makeup lines for resale.  As an independent artist you are limited to who will sell to you WITHOUT requiring large minimums .That is a short list.

Most freelance makeup artists have NO access to purchasing makeup for their clients.

I found Pro Faces which saved and changed my life. I found them on the internet by accident!  Without finding Andrea and David I would have been without options for a professional makeup line. Andrea and David are the company’s founders. Andrea was a makeup artist and David a photographer.They created a professional makeup line for artists.  I took a chance and slowly began ordering their products. I LOVED IT!  My clients loved it.  No mineral oil!  65 eyeshadow/blush colors, all sold individually in the BIG pans.  Their packaging might not be the best but the product is.  Custom Blended foundation……the RIGHT colors. The RIGHT texture.  I WAS SOLD

They have since moved on from being a wholesaler of makeup to an independent manufacturer who assist cosmetic companies in product development and fulfillment.  They have kept me on as a client because they believe in my vision and can’t wait to help me create additions to our line (David will thank God when I am not begging him to fill my miniscule order overnightJ).

Authentic Beauty is committed to artists.  I am in the middle of creating a program for freelance artists who can’t make a decent living because they don’t have access to professional makeup.  I don’t want anyone to have to go through went I went through. It is not fair that the artists…the REAL artists, the ones who work as a professional and not a SALES CONSULTANT can’t resell makeup. I am going to change all that!!!  STAY TUNED!!!  Write me if you want to know what’s coming: alyson.hoag@authenticbeautyllc.com.

 The Authentic Beauty Studio is not ready due to permitting issues so it was a bit anti climatic that I wasn’t moving to a new home but to a temporary one.  Travis Salon is taking me in.  Gary and his wife Sheri are excited to have me on their team.  Gary is a Nexus Educator and is a great guy! His wife Sheri is energetic and encouraging.  I can’t wait to join forces! So for those of you who have appointments, I will see you there! 

I am leaving Olde Towne the same way I went in….SCARED but this time not unsure of my future.  I have a passion and an unwavering belief in Authentic Beauty.

 I stand for something.

For the first time in my life I am being “used” by something bigger than me.  I wake up on a mission every morning.  I am inspired to write blogs at 1:30 in the morning when I have had 4 hours of seep.  My mind is working at every second looking for ways to bring Authentic Beauty to life.  HOW DO WE TRANSFORM THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY?  HOW DO I HELP WOMEN DISCOVER THEIR BEAUTY?  HOW DO I BECOME THE PERSON NEEDED TO BRING THIS VISION ALIVE? WHAT DO I DO NOW? AND NOW? AND NOW?

Well, that’s al I got tonight.   I will write more soon on what I stand for….soon it will be holiday makeup time…..

I have lots of funny makeup stories for you STAY TUNED….

All My Best, ALY