We had the good fortune of connecting with Tarilyn Bowden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tarilyn, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I started my business, I wanted to create a safe space where women could relax and feel their best selves. I knew I wanted to provide services that make them tap into their inner femininity. A lot of times, us women are so busy with our everyday lives that we forget to take care of ourselves. So it’s very important for me to create monthly self care routines for my clients.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My name is Tarilyn Bowden and I’m the owner of Tarilyn’s glam studio in Charlotte, NC. I’m a licensed esthetician specializing in makeup, waxing, facials and brows. I’ve been doing makeup for 9 years and I recently became a licensed esthetician last year. Since then, I’ve expanded into my second shop and have grown my clientele. When I started doing makeup 9 years ago, I honestly never expected it to go this far. When I do makeup, it’s like therapy for me and I just focus on making women feel their best. Upon moving to Charlotte in 2017, I had to focus on rebuilding my clientele. Once I built some rapport with a few consistent clients, I was able to do makeup solely along with my full time job. Over the course of the years my business continuously grew. In 2020 during the pandemic I took a break, and focused on how I would rebrand after the pandemic. In late 2020 i returned to doing makeup, wondering if my business would survive through the course of the pandemic. During my time off, I invested in classes to better my craft, invested in better products and practiced as much as I could. In early 2021, my business was really picking up and it stayed that way consistently. I started getting referrals for weddings and that’s where I could finally see my business taking off. By the summer of 2021, I was able to enroll in esthetician school and start a less demanding job to focus on my business. In February 2022, I started esthetician school and I graduated in October of that year. It was a long 8 months for me, but it was well worth it. For the duration of me being in school, it required for me to make sacrifices such as working 14 Hr days including school and work; and I still had to run my business on the weekends. It was hard work, but it was so worth it in the end. Once i graduated school, I was able to start in my new shop the day afterwards. In July of 2023 I expanded into a bigger shop because of increased business. One thing that I’ve learned is being a business owner is so rewarding and it requires so many sacrifices. You literally have to stay positive no matter what and believe in yourself. It’s a never ending trial and error process, but seeing the fruits of your labor will forever be worth it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting me, most likely we would go to brunch, go down town sightseeing and go shopping. For brunch I would most likely go to RH rooftop. That’s definitely one of my favorite places in charlotte to eat. We would go sightseeing downtown and see all of the nice high rise and rooftop buildings. And of course go shopping. Two of my favorite dinner spots in Charlotte are Eddie V’s and capital grille. They are a must to check out.

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 want to dedicate my shoutout to my family, friends and all the supporters of my business. And a special shoutout to both of my late grandmothers who played a huge part in me becoming a glamour girl today.

Website: https://www.styleseat.com/m/v/tarilynbowden

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tarilynsglamstudio?igshid=MTNiYzNiMzkwZA==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makeupbytarilyn?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
-Don Visualz photography -1813 photography Studio -Radiant Photography by Sydney Danielle

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutNorthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.