Justina Ford went from job to job trying to find the best fit, but nothing seemed to match her interests, talents, and desires as perfectly as she wanted. So she combined her passions for makeup and coaching and started her own businesses instead: MakeupByJFord and PurposefulPursuit. Read our interview with the lovely Justina below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
I was motivated and inspired to start my business when I left a job I loved to be with my husband at his first military duty station. I applied for jobs over and over and nothing that I really desired would go through. I took odd end jobs but none that were satisfying, flexible enough or allowed me to express my desires and interests. I got tired of waiting for someone else to hire me for my perfect dream job and I thought back to my past desires, interests, and talents and that is when makeup and coaching came into the mix.
Tell us about your business.
I like to refer to my business as a multi-layered business. I am pro makeup artist and a mindset coach for multi-passionate women of faith looking to shift fully into their purpose and manifest the desires of their heart. My slogan has been “so much more than makeup” for quite some time because I understand what creating and designing my own business has afforded me and I know so many women are looking to create and design their own purposeful businesses. So I get it and I’ve been there and I’m here to help women to identify with their outer beauty as well the inner beauty of mindset and how it affects all areas of their lives especially purposeful business and messaging. So, I’m helping women of faith with mindset and messaging so they can begin to be more confident + clear, this way they too can create and design a life and business that meets their personal definition of success.
Where is your business based?
My business is based in Savannah, GA. Most of my clients are local to the Savannah, GA area and many of my coaching clients come from all over via the internet.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
The first step I took was to get training. I got my certification as a makeup artist and I utilized my Master’s degree as a human service counseling professional to conduct the mindset and strategy work that I do with my coaching clients. I also hired my own coach before rebranding myself and launching The Purposeful Pursuit to a Beautiful You.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
The most effective thing that I’ve done to raise awareness of my business and to get new customers has been to do free work. I know it sounds counter intuitive but people need to know what you do and if people never see you doing what you do best because you are waiting to get paid its kind of a catch 22. So I started making myself known as a makeup artist by doing free work for professional photographers and I’ve made myself known as a coach by giving value through free content and offering local and online social events. The people who end up coming to my events are essentially my ideal clients and they have an opportunity to work with me in a group or private coaching format.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
One of my biggest challenges has been setting up all the techy and behind the scenes stuff for business. You know… the sales funnels. I know exactly what I want in my funnels and I know what I want them to do but getting them to do it smoothly has been a challenge. I can do the small parts but it takes me forever! Definitely not my zone of genius and I’m ready to hand this part over.
How did you overcome these challenges?
I haven’t just yet but I am definitely researching some profiles on Upwork so I can delegate these aspects of business. I think I’ve given myself enough of a headache over trying to make the techy stuff work. In 2017 I won’t be handling this aspect of my business… I’m speaking that into existence!
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
During difficult times prayer is definitely something that helps. I love to stay connected to God’s inspired word. Reminding myself to stay in a state of gratitude has also been very helpful. This year has been a very difficult time and I’m sure when the time is right God will place it on my heart to share and be of encouragement to other women. I’m reminded that God uses us through our mess. So, I’m willing to go through a “little mess” to help others and give God the glory in the end!
How did you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
I distinguish myself from my competitors by offering quality work in a professional manner. I always hear about flakes or people not following through or delivering the results they say they can give and I do just the opposite. I’ve accepted the fact that I take pride in what I do and that I give quality work and I over-deliver. Communication is another way that I distinguish myself from my competitors. I treat each client/customer like a person and my clients know that I care about their beauty needs as well as their personal, spiritual, and business success.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
Show up in a consistent manner. I recently heard this from one of my colleagues. It’s not something I didn’t already know, but hearing it like this, “blog, do video, show up live every day and share your content regularly and consistently” made all the difference. It’s one thing to write or record your content but when it comes to sharing it in a very public format that’s where blocks tend to come up also.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
I would remind other entrepreneurs that building a business is a journey in personal development all in itself. It’s a journey of self-reflection and growth. You begin to realize all the limiting beliefs that you have and need to work through, so don’t give up. You showing up in your business is just as much for you as it is for your potential clients. I would also advise entrepreneurs that you if you’ve been called to business you’ve been called to ministry. Your business can serve as a ministry and God can get the glory if you desire him to.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
My favorites are FacebookLive, WordPress, Evernote, Calendly, Canva, Leadpages, PayPal, MailChimp. I couldn’t live or function without any of these!
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @makeupbyjford
Twitter @makeupbyjford
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/makeupbyjford
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/purposefulpursuit
Website: www.justinaford.com
Hashtags #makeupbyjford #purposefulpursuit #savannahmakeupartist #savannahmua #savannahpurposecoach #savannahmindsetcoach
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
I recently read “Big Magic” and I absolutely loved her thoughts on creativity. Being a multi-passionate woman of faith who highly values creativity, this book really spoke to me. God is the ultimate creator so I know he has called us to be creative in our own unique way.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
I’m currently learning more about redeeming energy psychology for the kingdom of God. I will soon be getting my certification in Splankna Therapy! I’m so excited and if only the dates could get here sooner.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
For the next few months. I’m going to be laser focused on my goal to grow my Now That’s a Beautiful You Inner Circle Group Coaching Program. This is an intimate monthly inner circle coaching program for only 5 women at a time. I plan on achieving this goal by implementing my marketing plan which consists of growing my Facebook group and my email list through high value content offerings!
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
Yes, I’ve completed the “Now That’s a Beautiful You 10-Day Mindset Series” for Multi-Passionate Women of Faith who want to build purposeful businesses that light them up. If you are a woman doubting that you can have “so much more” in life and business, I’d encourage you to join my Facebook group. If you’ve been setback by fears, limiting beliefs, and lack of support, you’ll enjoy this free mindset series.