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

Hi Elijah, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The beginning of my brand really started before I even knew what I wanted to do with my life. For a while I wanted to have my own Real Estate Agency, then I wanted to have my own Law Firm. And though the type of business has changed through the years, my vision for its standards never has. I knew from the beginning how I wanted to operate. And how I wanted others to view what I do and what I’ve built as an example, not a deterrent.

What should our readers know about your business?
Makeup By Elijah was born to be what I noticed was lacking in the world around me. Affordable luxury makeup services. Taking everything one loves about expensive and exclusive makeup and bringing it directly to the people. In todays world every can benefit from feeling a little more beautiful, and I intend to help them along the way. Makeup isn’t about changing the outside, it’s about telling a story. Makeup is showing the world the beauty you feel within regardless of how others feel about you and your appearance. Makeup is self care.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One part of Dallas that I will always brag on is the food. There’s no place like home when it comes to cuisine. With a friend who’s unfamiliar with the area, I would definitely need to take them to Paradiso’s in Downtown Dallas. The food is amazing, and the vibes are immaculate. Next, we’d have to go to the arboretum, most people have been to a zoo, but a super garden is a gem few and far between. And the last stop on my list would for sure have to be Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian food in Mansfield! As someone who grew up in Hawaii I can easily say this is the most accurate Hawaiian food I’ve tasted here on the mainland. DFW is filled with hidden little gems all throughout and exploring the area is for sure my favorite thing. You never know what you’re going to find!

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 would like to dedicate a very big portion of my current and future success to Ms. D, my beauty and hair instructor at L Makeup Institute. She really carved away all of my insecurities by showing me what hard work looks like in the industry. I’m glad to call her a mentor of mine and can’t wait to show her what she’s taught me. I would also like to dedicate an equal portion of said success to mr. Tommy Gonzales. He showed me individuality and taught me to stand out above the crowd. I truly wish he would’ve gotten to see me graduate from beauty School.

Website: Makeup-by-Elijah.squarespace.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/Make.upbyelijah

Image Credits
Photos by mehrnoush Moslemi (instagram- @mehr.artistry) Tommy Gonzales And myself

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.