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

Hi Christian, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When you start school as a child, the adults around you start asking questions like “What do you want to do when you get older ”? I would reply I’m going to be a doctor when I grow up.I stuck with the answer all the way until my freshmen year of college. When I started classes, I quickly discovered that a career path in the health field was NOT for me. I realized that the only reason I wanted to be a doctor was because it sounded good, but it wasn’t something I wanted to dedicate the rest of my life to. I needed to find something I would want to do career wise that didn’t feel like a job.When I thought about things that brought me joy, makeup was one of the first things that came to mind. In my free time, I was a makeup artist and the most rewarding part of it was making other women feel beautiful. I enjoy makeup shopping and trying new products. I randomly decided I was going to start a cosmetics line to invest in myself just like I was investing in those other companies.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Makeup is a form of art and every face is like a unique canvas. I strive to enhance my clients natural facial features without altering too much.My entrepreneurship journey has not been easy. I think my biggest challenge thus far is staying consistent. It so easy to give up when things don’t go as planned but I realized I’m doing a disservice to myself by not staying consistent.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve been living in Dallas my entire life but I’m still discovering parts of the city myself. One thing I love to do is eat! My idea of fun is getting dressed up and going out to eat. If I’m trying to make a good impression on someone I would take them to Drakes Hollywood. The food is so flavorful and they have good dessert

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 shout out my mom, Lori Wesley! If it wasn’t for my mom, I don’t think I would’ve taken an interest in makeup. I was sort of tomboy growing up and she was the one to introduce me to makeup. You definitely need a support system as an entrepreneur and my mom has been my biggest supporter since the beginning. She has helped me brainstorm new ideas, promoted me, and pushed me when things got difficult. Mom thank you for pushing me to bet on myself every day!

Website: www.cojocosmetics.com

Instagram: @beatbychris_

Other: https://www.styleseat.com/m/v/christianojo

Image Credits
@urlocalkae @aubrielleimpelstudio

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW 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.