Startup Story
Lindsey Swart is the founder of Pretty You Workshops in South Africa, a business creating interactive makeup learning experiences for women. She has been in the makeup industry for over 20 years and has headed up some of South Africa’s finest productions. She has a great passion in making women look and feel amazing. At her interactive workshops, she shares all her knowledge in a fun and beautiful environment.
LoA spoke to founder Lindsey Swart about the inspiration for her business, her passion for her craft, and her ambitions for the future.
What does your company do?
We host interactive makeup workshops aimed at your everyday lady of all ages. We supply all the makeup, tools, and the ladies sip on a glass of champagne while learning how to do their own makeup. We take up to 20 ladies at a time and the workshop runs for 3 hours.
I set up a beautiful table hosted at a venue, or I come to the comfort of your own home or office space. I talk through a step-by-step demo on a model while the ladies ask questions. Thereafter the ladies recreate their own makeup with my assistance. Makeup is a powerful tool to empower women and make them feel amazing! Each lady also leaves with a goodie bag and a light lunch.
“We host interactive makeup workshops aimed at your everyday lady of all ages. We supply all the makeup, tools, and the ladies sip on a glass of champagne while learning how to do their own makeup.”
What inspired you to start your company?
I was inspired to start Pretty You as I believe all ladies want to look and feel amazing but don’t always know how to, I wanted to share all the knowledge I have gained over my years with your everyday lady. It is my passion to teach and to make ladies look and feel amazing.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
My business model is special as it is very interactive, and we supply all your makeup in a beautiful environment. It’s a great platform to meet ladies from all walks of life and build relationships amongst each other.
Tell us a little about your team:
My team mainly consists of myself, I do employ a social media team to run all my marketing as well as content shoots.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I have been a freelancer for the past 15 years which teaches you to become disciplined and build strong networks. Part of my journey was to find a makeup company to help start up my workshops which meant for me I had to set up business plans. I am very fortunate that I got Cosmetix to jump on board with me as they are my supplier for all my makeup and goodie bags for my workshops.
“I have been a freelancer for the past 15 years which teaches you to become disciplined and build strong networks.”
“I have big dreams for Pretty You, this year I would like to become part of the corporate world and facilitate my workshops to staff in corporate organizations.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
I have big dreams for Pretty You, this year I would like to become part of the corporate world and facilitate my workshops to staff in corporate organizations.
In the near future, I would like Pretty You Workshops to be available in most of our provinces.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
It gives me great satisfaction to be an entrepreneur as it definitely pushes you to do your best as you can see how the hard work pays off!
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
The biggest advice I can give other women is that if you have a dream it’s never too late to start and to always keep your eye on your goals. I took everything step by step until I found my space and there is space for everyone.
Contact or follow Pretty You:
Email Address: lindseyswartmakeup@gmail.com
Your Website URL: http://Www.prettyyouworkshops.com
Your Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/prettyyouworkshops?mibextid=ibOpuV
Your Instagram URL: https://www.instagram.com/prettyyouworkshops?igsh=OWFqNWxhc2pwanY4
Why LoA loves it…
Taking a core skill or a passion for doing something you love is always a good jumping-off point for starting a business, and for Lindsey Swart that meant harnessing her skills as a professional makeup artist. Today, she is doing what she loves, building a business that makes her specialist knowledge and expertise available to others, whilst also enhancing clients’ lives. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa