Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is beauty pro Jenn Schulz, who opened her own studio in Toronto to offer a one-stop glam shop for women to feel their best. We caught up with her to find out what inspired her business and what advice she would share with other young professionals…
WORK
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
We make women glow gorgeous. Schulz Make-up + Beauty Studio is the first of its kind in Toronto, an intimate and glamorous place to make one feel their best.
We offer make-up, custom spray tanning and hairstyling for every occasion. We also boast Toronto’s first sunless (UV-Free) studio, providing our clients with a natural looking glow without exposure to harmful rays.
What was the inspiration for your career route?
I worked many years as a corporate accountant but my passion was always make-up and making people look and feel their best. After receiving my CA designation I decided to go to make-up school and learn from the best. While I was living in Vancouver, I worked as an accountant full-time and was freelancing as a makeup artist and hairstylist in the evenings and weekends.
I realized that a woman shouldn’t have to wait for her big day or a special occasion to be pampered and to get her make-up done. When I moved to Toronto, after years of juggling my day-job as an accountant and evenings/weekends as a make-up artist, I decided to open my own place and Schulz Make-up + Beauty Studio was born. I wanted to create a place where women can go and be made to feel beautiful, anytime.
Also, coming from Vancouver, where there are many options to get a great spray tan, I was shocked how hard it was to find somewhere to get one in Toronto. I felt there was a need for a beautiful place to get a natural glow throughout the year, especially with the dangers of using a tanning bed.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
Opening Schulz Beauty and finishing the perfect make-up and hair room to get glammed up in.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
Continuing to build Schulz Beauty as a reputable brand and the go-to studio that helps people embrace their everyday gorgeous glow; hopefully opening more locations and having a signature line of Schulz Beauty cosmetics and glow tanning products.
And for my personal life, making time each year to travel to different places while still making time for everyday small adventures.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
As a young professional you have the benefit of time being on your side and to make mistakes you can learn from, take calculated risks, and try to say yes to as many opportunities as possible coming your way. Find what you’re passionate about and love doing – then figure out how to monetize it by bringing value or differentiation to your product/service.
What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
Taking the leap of faith and actually going for my dream. Working both in accounting and as a freelance make-up artist/hairstylist, I was comfortable but in the back of my mind I wanted more. I was always looking for studio locations and talking to my friends about it, but something held me back.
After finding the perfect location, I decided to really make it a reality. It hasn’t been easy and I have learned a lot; I’m happy to be working towards doing what I love every day.
What does the word notable mean to you?
I find women entrepreneurs notable for me. I love meeting and talking with other female entrepreneurs who have built amazing businesses and who are passionate about their careers. Its super inspiring and always uplifting to hear about their successes.
PLAY
Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
King West since there are tons of great restaurants and bars and it’s on my front doorstep. Bar Buca for snacks, and the Mafalde ai Funghi Pasta at Gusto 101 is so good that I have dreams about it.
What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
Hmm, my email browser is always open and I’m responding to emails 95% of the time. Rhianna’s new CD is <3.
Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
I follow a lot of amazing make-up artists and hair stylists for inspiration and ideas. Favourites include 1MaryPhillips for makeup and NatalieAnneHair for hair inspiration.
FuckJerry and BeigeCardigan for a laugh.
What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
Backpacking through South America and South East Asia. Both completely different but amazing in their own ways. Japan and Italy are next on the list. Being from Vancouver, I’m obsessed with finding the best sushi and pasta is my favourite food.
What gives you the greatest FOMO?
Having to wake up super early every Saturday during the busy season for weddings (May to October) while everyone else is sleeping in.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
White wine and trashy reality TV (hello, Real Housewives).
What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
Make-up! Or maybe I wish that make-up wasn’t so expensive… but it’s product testing, right?
I wish I could spend more money on travel and carving out time to get away on extended trips.
And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Looking forward to waking up every day to do something that I love. Always having something to aspire to and being challenged by new opportunities.
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