Meet Shajarazade Rodriguez | Makeup and Hair Entrepreneurship

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

Hi Shajarazade, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
My balance has changed over time as I have created balance and boundaries. When I first started my career I had limited balance or structure as I was learning. Now having 14 years of experience with the addition of my beautiful four-year-old daughter, amazing fiance’ and launching my second business, balance is my first thought each morning. If I don’t allow myself pockets of time to rest and plan for the next day, my day is off. Even on the days that I don’t feel like I got anything done, balance was also present as rest is essential for building my brand. I am thankful for the balance that I am allowing in my life. When you first start your path on entrepreneurship, it can be overwhelming, to say the least, and you find yourself working more than you have ever worked, Being able to see that life gives you time to rest for the next leg of your race, you just have to accept that rest, is truly my balance. I am thankful for being in a position to see and accept help. I have learned that allowing balance such as help, affords me the time to spend time with family and friends as well as position high priority items at the top of my daily agenda. Balance is a key part of my success.

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.
What I am most excited about is my newest brand, My Makeup Toolbox. Over the course of my career, I often hear my clients say, “I wish I could just take you with me to do my makeup all the time.” My Makeup Toolbox is me in a bag. A professional makeup artist assists you to create the perfect look. The biggest challenge that I have to overcome was the process of creating the brushes. As a makeup artist, you can see and feel when you have a quality brush. My Makeup Toolbox is also a step-by-step guide on applying your makeup. The print on the brushes had to be perfect to guide each user’s application. Communication with the brush manufacturers was critical. Building a brand is worth every tearful, restless day. It’s the reward of creating the life you want, by creating the business you are excited to wake up and work every day.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am such a foodie! My friends and I will put all the food on the table and share in a Tapas style. So some of my favorite places to eat that have a nice atmosphere are Tupelo Honey, La Belle Helene, and The Crunkleton.

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?
In the beginning of my career, two photographers gave me a chance in the wedding industry. Robert Christopher (IG: Robert Christopher) I was the mentor that gave me my first introduction to the wedding industry of makeup and hair. Lawerance Logan (IG: Iamzyah) was the first fashion photographer to create content that you can still see on the VogaBeauty website today. I would also like to give Shoutouts to all the family, friends, clients, and more that have given time, prayers, and more to my brand.

Website: http://vogabeauty.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vogabeauty

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mymakeuptoolbox

Youtube: vogalabeauty

Other: My Makeup Toolbox: https://www.mymakeuptoolbox.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/mymakeuptoolbox FB: https://www.facebook.com/mymakeuptoolbox