40 weddings earning $115K Working less earning more as a bridal hairstylist & makeup artist

I'm Carly. My Instagram business name is Carly Marie Artistry. I offer both hair and makeup right now because I absolutely love both. So I haven't decided if and when I'm going to give one up yet, but that's okay. I'm in Charlotte, North Carolina, and I have been doing hair and makeup for forever. And when I got married, I just kind of remembered how much I liked doing, like, hair and makeup, and I was doing it for friends, you know, getting married out of college at 22 or it's like, who has money to get married at 22? And when I got married, I was like, you know what? I think I could probably do this. And I just opened an Instagram to see what happens, and then, like, Covid hit and I found your account and I thought, oh, like, Pinterest hair doesn't only exist on Pinterest. It's, like, actually doable in real life. So that's when I started, like, really investing to be able to do Pinterest hair and makeup.

Now you do Pinterest hair and makeup?

And makeup, yeah.

Is that pretty normal in your area to get married young?

I feel like it's like a 50. 50. Like, some brides I get, they're like 21 to, like, 24, right out of college, married their high school boyfriend. And then I'll get brides that are late 20s peeking into their early 30s. So I feel like it's like one or the other.

Okay.

Yeah.

So that even for, like, for my area, I don't. It's not normal for me. I don't really see a lot of younger brides, but, like, I kind of, like, straight out of college. I feel like that's a down south thing.

It definitely is. It's a definitely more down south. And I feel like the more Southern the family is, the younger the bride is.

Okay.

Because it's just, like, normal for them. Like, their mom got married at 19, they're getting married at 20. Like, it just continues because it's normal.

Yeah.

In whatever. So.

So I been lucky, literally so lucky to see a lot of your journey and to, like, see you kind of, like, transform and. And I really wanted to chat with you because you did a rebrand, like, when you joined the program. So. And it was beautiful and, like, perfectly executed. I loved every piece of it and getting to see it. But I would love to know, prior to joining Bridal Boss Academy, where were you at, like, business wise, like, what was any of, like, your struggles that maybe you were going through, that maybe you're like, I think I need some business education. I think I would benefit from that girl.

He was struggling down there. I was driving the struggle bus. Okay. So basically before Bridal Boss Academy, I was kind of figuring out everything and using everyone else in my area. Like, just looking at them, seeing what they were doing, and then trying to do it for myself and seeing, like, what worked and what didn't. And just kind of also adopted different policies or rules based on very hard lessons learned. So, like, I was one of those that was like, I fell into the knot and wedding wire, you know, I. Early on. And I like when I very first started, when all my services were basically like, for free and they were ugly, it was fine because that, you know. But then once I started, like, investing in business and seeing like, okay, you don't necessarily need that, it helped. So, like, what I learned was, I guess not to wait to invest because what took me, like, four years to try to figure out by myself, I learned in less than a year in your business, in your program. So that would have saved me a ton of time. But, yeah, that was kind of like the most thing. And then, like, trying to identify my ideal bride was really hard in the beginning because I wasn't quite. It was hard because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do as far as, like, hair looks that I wanted to do. So I was just kind of trying to be good at everything because I wasn't sure what I liked. And then what actually really kicked me into gear and what I liked is I found your page during COVID and that's how I kind of figured out what I liked, because I was naturally drawn to, like, aesthetics of your hair over a lot of aesthetics of other people's hair. So that's kind of what, like, naturally led me down the path that I went to, like, decide what my niche would be and things like that. And it kind of also felt like that in the makeup. Like, after finding you, I found, like, a lot of Australian based makeup artists, which I like their esthetic. So I started trying to align my aesthetic with that because that's what I was naturally drawn to. And so I figured I would eventually start getting brides that were drawn to that as well.

Do you feel that makes total sense? Don't we love our Aussies? I love their hair. I feel like their stuff trends down to us, like a couple later. And I love, like, the bouncy blowout. I feel like really started in Australia and is really moving down to us.

I'm here for It. Yeah, I'm here for it, too. Like, I. It's. It's up with you guys, like, this year a lot, and it's, like, just starting to kick down here, and so I'm, like, so ready for it next year. So that's going to be like, one of my new posts for, like, trending bridal 2025. It's like that the. I'm gonna do the modern. It's like a slick back with either glam wave or just like a loose wave. And then the bouncy blowout are two, I think, that are gonna start. I kick them down here.

I see that trending, and I feel like that would be very on brand for you, that style. Do you feel like once you, like, went through the program, you were able to identify more who your ideal bride was, and do you feel you're now attracting more of them?

Yes, definitely. So before the program, I, like, kind of thought I knew who she was. And then after I had some things, like my original ideas of who she was stayed, and then I was also able to, like, narrow in even further of who she was and then think, like, oh, this characteristic doesn't, I thought, align, but it doesn't. So we're like. So I was able to update and further, like, niche down on my list of who she is.

And I think you did that, like, so well, like, visually and the way that you did your packages, like, the way that you kind of like, I guess, because I saw where you started and then, like, I saw your visual rebrand, like, I really got to see that transformation, which was just, like, so cool. Would you mind sharing, like, what really helped you with that transformation? To, like. Because I feel like sometimes people will go through a rebrand and their confidence just kind of, like, isn't there to fully go in it. But I feel like yours visually and everything, you just, like, hit the mark. So I would just love to know, like, what helped you the most to be able to push through a rebrand? Because sometimes it's not always easy.

Yeah. So I made a list. Oh, hold on. I'm frozen. Let me fix my video. Okay. So I made a list of everything that I wanted my rebrand to be to look like. And I reached out to a photographer friend of mine that I know, like, she gets the vibe.

She got the vibe.

And she will tell me if something like that I'm thinking, is not the vibe. Because sometimes, like, you know how you get, like, you too big and you got to come back in.

Yeah, she.

Yeah. So I was really lucky to have her as kind of like a rebrand partner in the sense of, like, she kind of helped me have someone to bounce my rebrand ideas off of, and she helped me, like, source a model that would fit the aesthetic that I was looking for. And I was lucky enough to have relationships with some certain vendors to borrow wedding dresses and just kind of have like, a whole thing. So I feel like my rebrand came together exactly as I saw it in my mind. So being happy with it, I was able to utilize it, put it into motion, and then every time you try something new and raise your prices, rebrand to attract something else. You know, you're always going to have no's in the beginning, and eventually those no's will turn into yeses. So I just kind of like, sorry, I have the hiccups. Held my breath through it until I started seeing the motion that I wanted. Yeah. So, yeah.

And that's, like, what I think a big piece is. And I'm so glad that you said that is like, you will get no's in the beginning and they will turn into yeses, and you really do have to, like, see it through. And I'm really glad that you did.

Yeah. And I was, like, also noticing, even though, like, if a bride would inquire with me and she would tell me about her wedding day and she was saying, like, all the right things she wanted to work with me are, like, the aesthetic that she's looking for, her pin board is full of hair and makeup looks that I like, or she sends me my own Instagram page. If she still said no because of, like, budget alignment, I at least knew I was heading the right direction because she liked what she saw. And I would eventually get to the brides that had the budget for me. So it was a slow process. Yeah.

So nice to see that, like, reinforcement of, like, oh, I'm actually. She's finding me.

Yeah, she's finding me. She likes my stuff. My aesthetic aligns with her esthetic, which was, like, validating to hear. And now we just have to get over the price raise hump and just, you know, wait for those yeses to come in. Because they. They will.

They will. Now, I would love to know because I feel like. I feel like you definitely raised your rates in the Academy when it came to your prices. Were you previous, like, before the Academy were. How were your prices? Were you a la carte? Did you have packages? Did you switch to the package model?

I know you have. I actually don't have packages now because the a La carte for like the moment in time I'm in is easier for my brain space. So hopefully we'll move to packages like in the future probably, like maybe when I'm done having all these children, but for just right now, like a la carte is just easier for me to mentally compartmentalize. So. But my rates before the academy were really low and I feel like I kept them low because I was more just starting out and I knew my quality of work wasn't there and I didn't want to charge for something top of the line when I knew I wasn't giving top of the line. So I invested in one on one classes with you. I've invested in one on one classes with other makeup artists, online courses, things like that to get me to where I feel comfortable in my skill set to be able to raise my rates. So that's what I did and it's worked out really well so far. So I feel like I'm hitting a point where I need to raise them again.

Why?

But I'm not sure why I was. I'm getting like over 50 inquiries a month.

Why? That's amazing.

Yeah.

And how much are you. So your demand is there. How much are you converting with them?

I'd have to look because I haven't looked. A lot of them I'm already booked for. Because it's like weddings for next May. Okay. So there's like a few dates in May that I've had like six inquiries for, but I'm already booked. And then. Or I'm not booked for the date, but I've got like four inquiries for that date sitting out there. And like you say all the time, like brides are kind of taking a little bit longer to book. So I. I need to figure out like, why in my area, why they're taking longer to book. Are they taking longer to book because they're assessing their budget or because life is happening or things like that? So that's my next kind of research dive to see if I need to raise my rates again.

I mean, I think there's a few factors and I'm actually really excited for the new bridle boss because I'm going to be going over the three factors. To raise your rates.

Yeah.

But it's definitely when you have that demand there, when, when you're able to. When your conversion rate is like over 35%, you can definitely sustain that because it's like if your conversion rate is still sitting around 20, that's good. But when you raise your Rates, you know, it's just gonna. Your conversion rate will drop, so you wanna make sure it's a little higher. So when it drops, you're at least at 20, but like 50 inquiries a month that your demand's definitely there. Especially having to turn them away.

Yeah. So it depends on the month, but, like, I'm probably averaging, like, It'll be like 30 inquiries one month. 40 something. 50 something. So. Yeah.

That's amazing.

So I'm excited because it's. And I'm sure it would be even more if, like, I wasn't dying the last, like, nine months. Like, if I, like, if I could still hit it hard like I was earlier, like, in the year. But it's okay. I'm still like, happy with what happening.

Yeah. Because if you even feel like, like it's not like you're totally ghosting, but like, even if you feel like. No, if I turned up the volume on this, like, you would probably wind up getting a hundred inquiries a month, you know, like double. And you're not. Yeah, like, you're already getting 50. So, I mean, that's something to look forward to. And I think, I mean, 50 inquiries. Oh, my God. That's such a bad problem to have.

Yeah. You want to work with me? Cool. Oh, my God.

You're showing me my work.

Oh.

What I love is that you. I've been talking to a couple different BBA girls and. And what I'm finding and that I'm loving is like, you went through the program and you were like, you know what? I still do love hair and makeup. And you're finding success with that, but you niche down within that hair and makeup. And it's like you went through the program and you took what worked for you, and you're like a really fast implementer. I feel like you like, take stuff and implement it right away. And like, you took what worked for you and you left what didn't. So I love that you, like, customized it for yourself, you know what I mean? To like, find what works for you. Even same with packages, you know, like, you were able to take what works, take what doesn't, you know, and you're finding success with that, and I love that. What would you say if, like, if there was like, one part of the program, like, if I deleted everything in Bridal Boss Academy and I only kept like, one thing, what would you be like, don't delete that. I need that.

That's hard. Like, it depends, like, where you're at.

Oh, what was you were at?

I think I would keep the niche, like, niche and branding.

Okay.

Because I wasn't like, kind of like, wasn't really narrowed down on that. And then I would do like, your pricing lessons. Not even like about like packaging, but like how to price yourself and when to price and when to raise your rates and things like that. Because I do think, like, you know, if you do just look at everybody else's pricing in your area, like, you know, a day one makeup artist should not be pricing themselves makeup by Carly G. Yeah. You know, yeah. Like, I do believe that, like, your, your work has to be there. Like, you can't just go from 0 to 100. So I think figuring out your niche, investing in your skill set and then when to do your pricing and how to do your pricing helped a lot.

Amazing. I'm so glad I asked and I'm so glad that we had conversations because you inspired me to create a new lesson and like, do the pricing of like, how to create your rates so, like, what's already in there? And then the how to know when to raise your rates and how to scale, scale it up so that way you have like a scalable model of like, okay, I know at this point I need to raise my rates higher and then I can go up higher from that. But I would love to know, when you did raise your rates, what was like, the feedback from your brides? Was it as scary as you thought? Did you see success?

I did. It took a hot second because right after I raised my rates, I was still. My Instagram was still attracting my previous level bride, so I was still getting a lot of inquiries from her and I had to sit down and figure out why. And it was my Instagram was attracting that because I wasn't doing a good job of like, quality posts. Even though I knew like my work quality was there, like, the post quality wasn't. So I started like figuring out what I wanted my feed to look like. And it, you know, it takes a second to like build up like pretty feed. So once I, once I started having a more quality looking Instagram, it was, it slowly turned into more yeses and things like, if that makes sense.

That does make sense. So like, once you kind of match the quality of your work with your rates, the value is communicated.

Yeah, yeah. Because like, I've always known, like, my level of customer service has always been there and other backend things have always been there for like, quality of that type of service. It's just I've been needing to focus more on communicating. Like, this is my Quality of work this is, you know, how I'm going to showcase it and properly showcase it and effectively showcase it for it to also translate. Because sometimes I feel like it. Like, sometimes I feel like it doesn't matter, like, how responsive you are. Like, if you're like, if your buns suck, your bun suck.

You're so real. I'm obsessed. It's like, honestly, you're so right. If you're a bun suck, your bun suck. It doesn't matter if you're getting back to me. Two seconds. Like, yeah. And sometimes we need that reality check from ourselves or our community versus, like, hearing it from a bride.

Yeah. And I like, I like my post today was kind of about that because I've been getting a lot of phone calls and emails about brides being like, I booked too quickly. Oh. And I'm like, sorry about it.

Should have held out. You should have held out because you looked. Now I'm booked and busy. Sorry.

Yep. Sorry. Sorry. You.

When it comes to Bridal Boss Academy, what would you say was, like, your biggest win or your biggest, like, goal that you hit inside the program?

I think my biggest win was, like, figuring out how to effectively communicate my value and showcase it properly. So that, like, helped a lot because, like, my brain is really good at, like, customer service and all that stuff. Like, I've worked in, like, hospitality, like, forever, so I already knew I had that. But, like, communicating what I can do and how I can do it and showing that I can do it has always been a struggle. So now that I feel like you've helped do that in Bridal Boss Academy, it's flowing better. Like, I can create Instagram posts quicker, reels quicker, things like that.

That is such a win, especially when we have another baby on the way. We need to be able to create those reels real quick.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And I think, too, like, it's weird because, like, when I first had my first baby, I was, like, so worried that everything was just gonna, like, freeze and die. And then actually, it's taught me, like, I only have brain space to think about, like, the most important stuff. So, like, all the little shit, like, doesn't matter.

No priorities.

Like, yeah, like, I used to put so much time and, like, oh, my God, my logo doesn't look right. My color palette isn't right. And, like, it, like, in the end, it doesn't matter.

No, it's.

It's your work. So, like, keep focusing on that. Keep focusing on your reels, keep focusing on your posts, and the rest will, like, the place.

Absolutely. I mean, you already have, like, your back end pretty tight. And I know you're a honey Bunk. Ride or die girl. Yeah, Otto. Ride or die girl. Did you find any. Were you able to use any of the email templates or any of that piece even though you were a honeybooker?

I used some of your email templates and then like you said, like, I plucked out what worked and what didn't. I kind of feel like I had a hard time identifying, like, who would be who was emailing me. So I think I just kind of like, what I did was I created like one email and then for like each, like, inquiry, follow up, whatever, and then I just have like bolded sections of like, if you see X, change it to this. And then I'll just modify my emails based on that instead of having like, like a amicable buyer, expressive buyer, like all those emails. Because it was kind of also like, a lot for me to just keep up with. So. But that's just because I'm in like, survival mode with toddler and being pregnant. So I'm sure I could probably handle it more if I wasn't.

But I love, I love that you did that. I actually just delivered that lesson to my mastermind girls with the bio types, and they were obsessed with it. I'm gonna have to relay that because that was really smart. You took like a piece and bolded it and was like, yeah, XYZ shows up. This is how we're going to communicate versus, like the one. It's all email.

Yeah, yeah. Like, kind of like, it just kind of reminds me to like, match their energy. Like, if they seem a little more like, you know, send me your pricing guide. What's this look like? They're more like question and answer down to the point. Let's do it then. You know, let's not send 50,000 exclamation points. Let's not be like, oh, my God, your venue. Oh my God, you're photographer. Let's answer their questions and get to their point and be done.

Exactly. Master energy, read the room. Understand we're talking to versus. Thank you so much for your email. Let me know if you have any questions. That whole vibe. Yeah, what was I gonna say? No, I was just thinking because I just delivered that lesson today and I. I'm gonna have to share them with that. I'm gonna have to be like, Carly is amazing and her pregnancy brain is delivering results late.

Late term pregnancy brain. We're like, back to being able to think. So now I'm like, oh, my God, I have all this stuff I want to do and it's like, oh, wait, I'm actually gonna have a baby in three weeks. So, like, I kind of have to pick.

Yeah, you have to prioritize.

Yeah. Like, there's like all this stuff I want to do and like, get done and like, business wise. But it might, might have to wait until after, which is. It's fine. So.

Well, wait, I'm so curious because, like, I feel like that is so helpful to like, you're put in the position of like. No, I can only focus on like one or two things. What are like your non negotiables. This is the thing I have to do for me to see success in my business or my business to not quote, unquote, die.

We know that it won't, but yeah, I have. I, I prioritize. Keeping up with my content is what I do. Like, I, like, I don't prioritize the, the boring stuff. Like, I can settle my QuickBooks anytime. If I don't have time for it, I can swing it over to my accountant and just pay the fee of him to do it. But keeping up with my content is my top priority because I do feel like it's important to show up a good amount so that brides know that you're alive and, and well, you know, working.

Yeah.

Because I do have comments from brides that are like, yeah. Like, I like, saw some pages that I absolutely love, but they haven't posted in two years. So it's like, thank you.

Thank you for sending. Yeah.

Are they or are they not? I'm like, well, they are. They're just not good at social media. Yeah.

They just don't want to show up.

Yeah. Or they've gotten like, comfortable because they're hot. Like, they're on planner lists, so they get all their business from word of mouth, so they just stop their socials.

Such a good point. That is such a good point. And I find people who are on planner list, they just kind of let the social media fall to the wayside. And I heard from my clients the same thing. Like, oh, I wanted to hire them, but they're dead on social media. And it's spooky.

Yeah. But then it's like, too I see like, like I had a bride recently. She picked someone based off of like a friend's word of mouth because it's like, who she worked with and she's on a lot of planner lists as well. And like, her Instagram is all professional bridal photos. So, like, her feed looks pretty.

Yeah.

It's like she went for her trial and was left, you know, not feeling very impressed, and it, like, wasn't what she wanted. So she calls me and I'm like, okay, let, you know, let's talk about, you know, how your trial went, what you didn't like, and what you're looking for. And she came in and she was like, oh, my God, I don't understand, like, why this was so hard to begin with. I was like, it's not. You just have to pay attention to what you're saying. Yeah. And she was like. She was like, see, I feel like when I go to your page, I see hair and I see makeup. I was like, ooh. Because I don't really post professional photos unless you can see what it looks like. Because if she's. If it's a picture and she's like 50ft back, which I also learned from you. I didn't know because I thought, okay, the whole picture looks pretty. The bride looks pretty. Everything looks pretty. But you can't see anything. So you don't know if, you know, her blush is lined up like this or if her bun is halfway falling out in the back or if there's Bobby Pink's galore in that thing. Like, you. You can't tell. So you're impressed with the picture, which means you need to go to the photographer's page, not the hair page.

Yeah. That's why you post intentionally. And that's your ideal bride finds you strategically.

Yes. So that's what I. That was a big thing I learned from you too early in the beginning was like, okay, pretty picture does not make. Does not mean you have to post it because you can't see it. You can't see it. Then what's the point?

We want to sell the hair and the makeup, not the photography shot. Because you're right. Like, go. You would have. You want that photographer. You don't necessarily want that hair and makeup, Right?

Yeah.

Unless you can see it.

Yeah. So keeping up with my content has been my top priority. And everything else can either wait until a later date or until I have more time to do it. Something like that.

Amazing. I remember the last time I heard about your experience in the academy, you were like, almost coming up on your six figure year. Have we. I don't remember exactly when that was. I know you joined this time last year.

Yeah, it was the third. It was whenever you hosted your third call.

Yeah.

In Academy. I'm thinking like, February.

Yeah. Maybe February. Like, definitely January or Feb, Probably January or February.

Yeah, because you launched in November, right? Yeah. Signed up for it that day. Because I'm not dumb. You shouldn't be either. Just sign up for it. And then went through the program, was calculating and then I think. Yeah, because I think when I, when we had the call, I was like, yeah, 70 or 80. And yeah, I think I've gone over for 20, 24. Yeah, I think I'm. I think I'm at 115. Carly, I have to go. I have to go double check and verify. But I'm. I think I'm like in and around that, give or take.

That's incredible. That's incredible. And I feel. How many weddings did you do this year?

40.

Weddings and you're sitting at a six figure year. I mean, I never even.

I never even cracked that. At 70.

No, at 70 weddings a year. So I'm so sorry. Okay, so you're telling me you're doing half the weddings you used to do and you're probably earning double?

Oh, yeah. Wow.

Yeah, you're just such a testament of like, you really put in the work. And I know just because of where you were when you started the program, like you were very beginner, I would say, because like, you did do that whole rebrand. So there was a lot of times where I feel like you were probably sitting in that uncomfortability of like, wtf? Like, yeah, is this gonna work out? And I feel like that's such a testament of like, it did work out, like you were able to work less, which I feel is probably super important for you because you're building your family right now. Do you know what I mean?

And are.

Are you taking weddings like Friday, Saturday, Sunday now, or are we scaling.

No, we're scaling back. So like, I kind of unintentionally didn't take weddings this year on Sundays just because I either didn't get an inquiry for it because I feel like we're past the COVID boom. So nobody's like, you know, fighting to the death for dates. So. So if I did have a Sunday wedding, it was like I maybe had three. And I liked that I could have Sundays with my family and things like that because I am starting to tip into like a new era. You are of my life. I did have a few Fridays, mostly all Saturdays. So. Yeah, it's mostly just Fridays and Saturdays.

Okay, you did.

Oh, no, I did. What an ugly face. Okay, here we go.

Let me tell her real quick.

Yeah, please tell me. Yeah, so I feel like yeah, I'm gonna try to keep that trend for next year. Unless I get an inquiry and the bride is just all the. All the. Yeah. Then we'll say yes, but it won't be like. I mean, she's like, really gotta, really gotta be. Yeah. Yeah.

So, like, I am beyond proud of you that you hit your six figure and that you're working less. I would love to know how, like, that feels for you. Like, in your life. Like, has that been something that's been able to change your life for the better for your family to be able to, like, work less and earn more?

Oh, yeah. Because, like, in the beginning, I was hustle mode. Like, I would say yes to anything, anyone, whatever it took to, you know, get content, get clientele, think I was moving the needle. Some of it was, some of it wasn't. And so I've learned, you know, I can. It's okay to say no to things. It's okay to say no to brides. Even if you are available. It's okay to say no because something better or more aligned with what you want to do will come along. It's been better, like, with my husband's mind and my husband's relationship, because now, like, we have a Sunday to, like, hang out and be together. And it's not like he's working all week and then has to watch the baby all weekend and I'm off working kind of thing. And I've kind of always, like, wanted to be an equal contributor. Like, I. I just didn't want to be like, oh, I'm off doing hair and makeup, you know?

Yeah, yeah.

Like, I always had the idea, like, I wanted to leave my corporate job, and I'm like, one who jumps and the net will appear. My husband likes to know what every strand is constructed of. When we were talking about it, he was like, you have to at least match your corporate salary. This was in the very beginning. And I said, okay, do I have a time limit or just. Once I hit it, I hit it. He was like, no, once you hit it, you can quit. So I made him sit down and make me a spreadsheet. Tracked everything, even missed business that I had to say no to because I was working during the week just to see. Not necessarily that I would get that booking, but, you know, to see the money that you're giving up because you have to say no because you have to work a corporate job. Yeah. So I hit it. In less than a year, I went 10 grand over my salary, and I was able to quit and go Full time, and then started investing in your classes and things like that. Got pregnant with. With my daughter Amelia and kind of slid back down because it wasn't a great pregnancy. And. And it just, you know, it just was how it was. But once you launch Bridal Boss and I was, you know, had her and, like, I knew I was ready, and I knew I wanted my business to be bigger than what it was, I was able to kind of get myself back on track, figure out what I wanted to do, and let's do it and get it done. Wow. That was kind of a ramp, but.

No, but I love that because I feel like people will resonate with, like. Like, that's so. That's so real. Like, I kind of love that your husband did that. He's like, yeah, I believe in you and we're gonna track it. And once you match it, like, he was giving you that security net, but he wasn't saying, like, don't go for your dreams. He's just kind of like, prove it. And you're like, oh, I'm gonna prove it. And then I go over and then. Does he know that you hit six figures for this year?

Yeah, we talk about it all the time.

Is he like my babe?

Yeah, he like, I'll do check ins. I'm like, oh, my God, guess what? We're like, I'm hit.

Hit it.

I've hit this amount or whatnot. And then he tries to be like, oh, but that's before taxes. And I'm like, I don't care. Like, that's like, you make your salary before taxes. Like, that's what you earn. Yeah. So. But no. Yeah, he's. He's like, proud of me with how far I've come, and he's always known I can do it and all that good stuff, so I'm thankful to have him and the support. Yeah.

We love a supportive husband.

We love.

And we love being equal because we can be equal.

Yeah.

How is your 20, 25 year coming along?

It's coming along good. I'm a little over halfway booked, So I have 19 weddings booked. I think I'd maybe like to take like 10 to 15 more and then just save some dates. Like, you know, if like a really awesome bride or like a planner comes. Because, like, you know, sometimes the more like high end planners, some of these guys, they be playing a wedding in three months. I'm like, y' all are crazy as hell. I know. I will try to save a date for you.

Those high end brides are, like, so spontaneous. We're actually gonna get married next weekend. Here's my $300,000 budget.

Yeah. Are you available?

I. I may save it.

I may say, yeah, yeah, yeah, so. But it's nice because I'm, like, trying to, you know, give myself a whole weekend a month, because I can't afford to do that now. Like, I don't feel like I have to, like. I know seven. Like, to me, it used to be the quantity of weddings you did, and I never, like, thought about, okay, but what's that doing to you mentally, socially? You know, I know I had to have those years to figure out, but now it's, like, it's okay to work less and make more because I invested.

Yeah. Because you can work less and you can earn more, and you're just a true testament of that. And one thing I did want to make sure I asked you was because I know you don't have a team, right?

No, I don't have a team. I have, like, a couple girls that I'll ask to come and help me if it's a larger wedding party. But if those girls are not available, then it's what we can do with what I can do by myself, because I feel like in the south, it's kind of hard because you either have, like, people that are, like, they really want to come help, they're really reliable, they're dependable, or they've been doing hair and makeup for 15 years, and they don't need help. It's like, okay, well, I can't consciously charge X and deliver.

Ew. Yeah.

I can't do it. When I was you and I was bringing you, it was all fine because it was all same.

Yeah. But I am leveled up now.

Yeah. But now we're up here, and I need my helpers to be up here with me, and they're always willing to, like, come in for adjustments or if they're, like. If something just, like, is not working because, you know, sometimes, like, the hair just doesn't do what you want it to do, or, you know, they're not afraid to, like, come over and say, hey, like, for whatever reason, this is, like, not working out, and I'm not seeing how to do it. Can you come and just, like, help really quick? Which is totally fine. I'd rather you do that than, you know, try to Jerry. Rig your way through it. And then I have to completely redo it. Yeah.

After.

So, like, that's fine. And. But, yeah, so that's what I do. But, yeah, I don't contract weddings out if they book with me, they get me.

Okay.

Things like that.

So. Because I know your, your ideal bride is like the smaller bridal parties.

Yeah, I do like that. Just so that I know I'm gonna show up and I don't have to rely on anyone else. But I do feel comfortable taking on larger bridal parties and bringing the couple people that I know that have helped me and been helping me because they are reliable and their work is very pretty and they're professional and, and we, and we get along really well. So. Which is nice.

That's important. But no, I was curious if you have been. I guess you kind of answered it already but like have you found success in being able to attract that smaller bridal party for hair and makeup?

I would say no, but only because I haven't been marketing that way.

Okay. We love the awareness.

Yeah. Super aware. Because I've kind of fallen off of that type of marketing for my content and more focusing just on showcasing like quality of looks and makeup and things. And once I'm done with this or once I have this baby, I'm going to sit back down and go through again like on how to. I froze again. Dang it.

I was gonna, I was about to say I keep.

Because I keep looking up like this to talk. So the whole interview is going to be like staring at the ceiling.

Real.

So I'm, I need to like reevaluate how I want to market that again so I can start doing that content because like I like staying for touch ups. I like staying for reception looks and stuff. But I haven't been marketing it while I've been pregnant because I just, just can't. Yeah. Brain so well that. And like I just, I physically can't, can't stay that long. Like because you know our days start early in the morning and you're there all day and sometimes you don't get to eat. And like I just, with also me being like sick, I just, I can't do it. So I want to be able to. So I stopped offering it while I'm pregnant because I want to be able to offer like my best self for the morning. Yeah. And get that. And then start sitting down and figuring out, okay, now that I'm not pregnant anymore, what did I like doing before that and start entering that content creation again to market for that.

Yeah, that makes sense. I love that you're, you sound like you're so like you're really prioritizing putting yourself first which I always love, love, love to see in this Industry. Because I feel like sometimes, like other bridal hairstylists and makeup artists, we kind of, like, put ourselves, like, first. And I love that you're really prioritizing that.

It's hard. Yeah, it's definitely hard, but I feel like it's easier to speak up for myself right now because I have to. Yeah, not necessarily because, like, because it's still hard for me to be, like, you know, we're running 15 minutes early. Let me sit down and, like, have a snack or something. Because, you know, some people are just, like, oblivious to the fact that I am eight and a half months pregnant. And some people are, like, you know, then I have the most wonderful brides who are, like, standing there, like, feeding me chips as I'm, like, curling a bridesmaid's hair. So it's like, you know, which we love them. So. Yeah, it's definitely not without its challenges.

But.

Yeah, I do think. I do like how you're trying to also, like, in your content. Like, let's normalize the fact that we need to eat lunch and that we need to be able to drink some water and go to the bathroom without being like, oh, my God, wait, can you do this?

Yeah, like, well, can wait. It can wait. And, like, I feel like we don't. We shouldn't wait until we're pregnant to, like, start prioritizing ourselves. So, like, I try my best to, like, always, constantly get the reminders of, like, we are not robots. Like, I don't know if 2025 is going to bring the year of the Tesla robot doing people's hair, but, like, that. Let's hope that can be us. You know, we.

We do need breaks. We do need.

Yeah.

You know. Yeah, yeah. And large bridal rims. Yeah.

We don't want to be in the corner with no light.

No. Or ac.

That is diabolical. No ac.

Or, like, ac or, like, AC that isn't, like, big enough for the room.

Oh, and it's hot. Yeah, yeah.

It can't cool quick enough with the amount of bodies and the amount of heat. Yeah, that's it.

So can't do it. I want my bridesmaids complaining that they're so cold.

Yeah, yeah. I want them in July in a snowsuit in my room.

Yes. That's appropriate. That's the cold.

I want it.

Yep, yep. I want toes turning blue.

That's minimal bite.

Yeah, you get. You get a nice style with a side of frostbite.

Beautiful. Yeah, yeah.

If somebody was on the fence about joining Bridal Boss Academy, what is something that you would share with them.

I would tell them to just do it. Pull the plug. You can't afford not to just do it because the money you're going to spend is going to save you the years that it will take you to figure it out by yourself.

I love that mindset.

And that's it. Because I did have, like, a couple, like, artists reach out to me because they were like, you know, we see you on Marissa's page all the time talking about Bridal Boss Academy. And I'm like, that's because you should do it. All I got for you, just do it. And, you know, they're asking me if they thought it was worth the investment and worth the time. And I said, absolutely. God damn. Every time. My God. Okay. Stupid WI Fi.

Damn WI Fi.

I know, but it's just, it's. It's worth it. Like, you can't afford not to do it. If you had made it the course sooner, I would have bought it sooner. Thank you.

And where can we find you? What is your Instagram? Where are you hanging out?

My Instagram is at Carly Marie Artistry. C A R L Y M A R I E Artistry. And that's where I hang out. That's where she hangs out. Yeah.

Thank you so much for being here with me today. I can't wait to keep continuing to follow your journey.