Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonja Botelho Conti.
Makeup has always been a passion of mine as far back as I can remember. At the age of eleven, I started experimenting with a lip liner as an all-day lipstick. It lasted me at least half the day at school, which was pretty impressive back in 1994. I still remember the color’s name-“Rum Raisin.” Makeup was a way to express myself and cope with personal family problems, as well as my own unhealthy body image. I fell into a vicious cycle of eating my feeling away at a young age. Within a year, at the age of thirteen. I gained twenty pounds. I learned to mask the pain of my weight with humor and makeup. Makeup was the one constant that stayed consistent.
Fast forward twenty-one years later: after a long battle of self-love, forgiveness, and becoming a mother, I found my calling – but it took tragedy to push me there. Last year, two weeks before my second wedding, I received a call that broke me into pieces. My mother was dead. She passed away of cardiac arrest in her sleep. My mother was an alcoholic, who I had an on-again/off-again relationship with throughout my life. The year prior to her passing, we made amends. Her loss rocked my world. Again I told myself, wake up and put your makeup on, the rest will fall into place.
Through all the ups and downs, one thing remained the same. Makeup helped me feel better, it gave me strength even when I was weak. It gave me hope in the darkness. Over the years, I always did my friends/families makeup for fun or events, I just never took it a step further, until four months after my mother’s passing. At the age of thirty-four, I launched Sonja B. Conti Makeup. It had been my dream ever since I was eleven and now it was a reality.
Has it been a smooth road?
Owning your own business is wonderful, but it comes with its challenges, just like anything else in life worth fighting for. Starting a business from nothing is the hardest part. There are many components that go into starting a business, such as time, marketing, branding, hiring, inventory, balancing the books, and of course the financial investment. A month after I announced I was starting my own business I found out I was pregnant with my third child. I was elated, but at the same time knew the sickness was coming. I have very hard pregnancies to say the least. I was trying to balance feeling ill and getting my business running. Thank goodness, for my husband who was my support and helped me in any way possible. I could have given up and stopped right there but I was not a quitter.
Four months into my pregnancy, I noticed I was out of breathe and felt like my heart was beating out of my chest. At my yearly physical my doctor noticed I was in tachycardia. She ran a few blood tests but nothing seemed wrong. A month later I told my OBGYN and she sent me to a cardiologist. After an echo cardiogram, an EKG, and being hooked up to a halter monitor for twenty-four hours they confirmed I was in tachycardia. My heart rate would jump to 150 just standing still or walking five feet. I could not breathe and felt like my chest was caving in. I immediately went on a beta blocker to try and lower my pulse. It helped but I still had “episodes” as I referred to them. All while my business is taking off and I am booking clients every weekend. I kept working without complaining once and was getting the job done. I was determined to not let anything stop my dream. I finished my last bridal party and exactly two weeks later my daughter was born via C-section because my doctors were afraid my heart was going to give out.
My advice to young women starting a business is to not give up no matter how tough it gets. The journey is part of your story. Never be ashamed of failing. I truly believe failing is part of the process and it’s in the “failing” that helps get you to the good stuff. Also, do not be afraid to change your direction as you go. Figure out what works for you and be true to yourself. Put blinders on and try not to copy others, be unique, that is what makes you special.
We’d love to hear more about Sonja B. Conti Makeup.
After six months of being in business, I decided to host makeup classes. I found that many women were winging it when it came to makeup (no pun intended, okay yes it totally was). Many mothers especially take care of everyone but themselves and I found this to be a great way as a mom’s night out and also a learning experience. They bring their own makeup and I teach them the steps and techniques on how to apply their makeup. There’s drinks, refreshments, many laughs and giveaways!
Sonja B Conti specializes in airbrush makeup for bridal, boudoir, engagement, prom and events.
Recently, I came up with the idea to donate my services to cancer patients. I was inspired by my aunt who had passed away. During the last month of her life, she was in the hospital, and the one thing she asked me to do was paint her nails. It had to be the right shade of pink though, so I brought six different ones and luckily she found a match! Something as small as her nails being painted made her day. It filled me with such joy to see her smiling and happy.
One morning, I leaned over and looked at the big picture hanging in my bedroom that reads ” The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” I immediately thought “how can I give more?” Then my aunt popped into my head. If I can help even one person going through this horrible disease or brighten their day, then I will feel like, I have found my purpose.
My goal is to not only give women confidence but to educate them while I do their makeup so they can enjoy putting their own makeup on at home.
Sonja B Conti makeup is quite the experience, I bridge the gap between professionalism and fun. You will surely be entertained while sitting in my makeup chair to say the least. No matter your personality or makeup preference, my goal is to make sure you not only love your makeup but walk away learning a thing or two.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
I love reading! Some of my favorite authors/girl bosses are Jen Sincero and Cara Alwill Leyba.
Pricing:
- Airbrush Makeup with lashes $75
- Makeup Classes $35
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sonjabconti.com
- Phone: 401-241-5854
- Email: sonjabconti@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonjabconti/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonjabconti/
- Other: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/sonja-b-conti-makeup-bellingham-ma-2005072
Image Credit:
Shawn Michael Photography
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