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

Hi Regina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
As a newly single mom, I didn’t have time to play around anymore. If I wanted to make real money to be able to support myself and my child, I knew I had to go out on my own and not work for somebody else! Thank God I believed in myself because I know no one else did.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When I first started in my craft, I completely threw myself into my work. If I wasn’t working I was studying the people I idolized and wanted to emulate. I would comb over and pick a part every little 15 second Instagram video (10 years ago) I could find of them mastering their craft and try to pick up on all the little nuances. How they held their brush, the angle it was tilted at, the texture of their products.. I was a woman obsessed. Eventually when I had enough money, I would take classes from the masters and got to the point where I held on to the techniques I liked, let go of the rest, and developed my own style.

Was it easy? No. It was the biggest lesson in patience. If I wanted to build some thing long lasting, it would be slow and steady not fast and hard. I kept my head down, stuck to my work and did the best job I can do each and every time until my clientele grew and grew and grew. And sometimes I’m still not satisfied with my work, I’m still constantly picking it apart. But I think that’s just part of being an artist. Nothing is ever really perfect.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Find dining at the Cellar in Fullerton. The only place you ever need to visit in Southern California.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I just have to shout out the Amy Clarke! She taught me everything I know about how to hustle in this industry. Not sure why she picked me, but I’m so glad she did. She’s an amazing Makeup artist, mentor, and all around good human being.

Website: reginaquintana.com

Instagram: @reginadoes

Image Credits
Walid Azami Stephanie Williams

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA 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.