We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica W. Leonard and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jessica, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Interestingly enough, I don’t think it was I who came up with the idea for my business. I believe it was birthed from something that began as a creative outlet and almost therapy for myself, the artistic process of applying makeup. I don’t wear makeup daily, so it was always my special treat to myself to grab my glass of wine, turn on my music, light my candle, and get made up to present the best version of myself to my friends and family when we gathered. It has always been my belief that looking my best when I get together with loved ones is a silent show of respect for the occasion. We tend to get dressed up for the important things in life and quality time is one of those opportunities to show the people around you that you value them and the time they have chosen to spend in your company. From those encounters came compliments, interest, and genuine admiration for my makeup which led to inquiries to do the same for others as a service or teach them how to get the same outcome on their own. Simply stated, my talent was in demand and people around me heavily influenced my decision to pursue becoming a makeup artist. In 2017 I began sharing my artistry and providing services to the public as Bourgeois Gurl Make-Up.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am most proud of my growth and experiences since I began sharing my artistry and offering my services publicly. I am most excited for the places I will go and the doors that my talent will continue to open in the future. I have so much more to offer and I take every opportunity to continue to learn and advance my skills to be prepared. I’d say that my passion for the art is what makes the journey easy. I think that focusing too much on confirmation of what I already know to be certain is what challenges me. By that I mean concentrating too much on likes, follows, shares, comments, and other things that can be a distraction on social media. I’ve learned to focus on the people who are here now and showing their unwavering support as opposed to being worried about those who have not yet arrived. One thing about my brand that I want the world to know is that it will forever be inclusive, evolving, and backed with the love of the art!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had a friend visiting for the week, I would love to show them some of my favorite places to eat and unwind. One place I love is Smithy in downtown Dallas. They have some amazing brunch options on the menu and their food never disappoints! You will certainly leave satisfied. My husband and I enjoy going out and listening to live music. www.MaturePartyCrowd.com promotes #NeoSoulSundays (@NeoSoulSundays on Instagram) and they cater to a grown, sexy, and more mature audience, which we can appreciate. We frequent their events and always have a great time.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to shoutout my mother, Gina Walter, for gifting me with my creative abilities and always encouraging me to pursue and perfect them. She is a creator in many mediums and from a very early stage in life I was introduced to art in all forms, which has forever inspired me.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/BourgeoisGurlMU
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BourgeoisGurlMU