Born To Shine

BORN TOShine

For the past 22 years acclaimed Makeup Artist, Melanie Burnice has been beautifying the world’s best actors, muso’s, performers, royals and global business leaders. Founder and Director of Beauty Boss Business, Melanie knew she had a voice and enough knowledge that it would be worth sharing with others and do some good in an industry which has brought her so much joy throughout the years.

Awed by their journey and their stories as much as their talent, Melanie shares about the conversations in the chair “ it has always left me with inspiration, wisdom and valuable tools I can use in life and business”.

This lead her to create the award winning podcast “Brilliant Brains and Beautiful Minds”. Melanie thrived delving into personal stories, business journeys and tapping into experts who’ve mastered their skill. An insight as to what makes people tick, their purpose, drive and mindset. Honest conversations showcasing diversity of humankind on the how and the why people do what they do.

“Coaching others who want to achieve success, breakthrough barriers and forge a strong path of their own is so exciting and a wonderful adventure I get to be on with others. Finding your own wings is an empowering moment in life but guiding others to help them fly is an unbeatable high! My sense of curiosity has had me asking WHY from a young age (Yes I was that child & that adult). I love people, understanding mindset, purpose and always wanting to learn and know more, I love finding out what makes people tick and seeing the beauty in magical moments all day long.”

“I have a strong presence across my industry that has awarded me much success and happiness throughout the years. I’ve a natural inner drive and ability to bring people together, inspire and educate. I believe when we stand united, showcasing diversity and individuality, we can affect change. My ethos of Uniting, Nurturing and Empowering flows through my veins and is the powerful message that I stand behind in all that I do.” Says Melanie

Now, in 2020, Melanie has just taken out the Gold Award for Solo Entrepreneur of the Year and Podcast of the Year in the prestigious 17th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

We take a deeper dive into Melanie’s journey. From Make Up Artist and Podcast host, to founder of The Makeup Artist Guild Asia Pacific & the Makeup Artist Guild Awards and so much more.

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTRODUCED TO THE PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY INDUSTRY?

When I was young I loved experimenting with makeup and hair products, and then I my late teens through dance and performing arts, we learnt makeup and I fell in love with it even more. I was 19 when I decided I would save and do a full time makeup course which I did when I was 21. I’ve never been able to do anything half hearted so I studied hair in the evenings and gave myself every opportunity to learn about everything. I learnt early on skin was such an important factor in makeup so I read and learnt and asked a lot of questions. I was able to guide my clients and it felt fantastic to be able to help on so many levels not just create a look for them.

TELL US ABOUT BEAUTY BOSS BUSINESS.

After years of running my production company I was always juggling between business and beauty so I found a name that I thought represented who I am! Being an entrepreneur isn’t for everyone, but if I was going to do it I wanted to own it. Beauty Boss Business is education and honest stories of real people in business who share their candid stories and the reality of working for yourself with great tips and information to help small businesses owners and freelances succeed and feel that they have someone to walk the business journey with. Beauty Boss Business is growing and we will create Beauty Boss Education next year which will be a grand scale of education around beauty and business.

HOW HAS 2020 CHANGED THE WAY YOU DO BUSINESS?

I was writing a book to help guide the many talented industry people I work with break through all of the information out there on business and give them what they needed and, in a way, that they understood. 2020 I was locked in to present at the biggest beauty and Makeup trade shows in New York, Amsterdam Las Vegas and Vancouver and more were in the pipeline. I would share my knowledge on stage and the book was an offering. When Covid hit I held the book from the final edit as I thought that the book wouldn’t be the right angle during Covid. So, I looked into my 2021 strategy and the online course was meant to be delivered then, so I switched it up and brought the online course to life and presented virtually at the trade shows. I have had such wonderful feedback And have already been locking in dates to present for next year. I also launched the podcast/vodcast Brilliant Brains and Beautiful Minds. My production company created the content for Brilliant Brains and Beautiful Minds to keep it ticking over and my awards platform really nurtured our artists during a really tough year. It was a year to give back and not to take. Support acceptance, compassion, empathy and love were on the agenda and that’s how I chose to work through Covid. I was faced with many mental health calls from wonderful people in my industry, so I chose to share my personal history, be vulnerable to ensure to others that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel when you learn how to reframe the mindset.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RECENT AWARD. HOW HAS THIS IMPACTED YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS AFTER EVERYTHING THAT’S GONE ON THIS YEAR?

It’s been wonderful to be recognised as solo entrepreneur of the year. Juggling 3 businesses can be tough and sometimes a lonely journey and I’m so grateful to have been acknowledged on a global playing field up against 1200 talented entrants. Entering awards for me really gives you a sense of where you’re at, last year in New York I took home the silver and the bronze so to come away with 2 golds I was beyond excited and it reminds me how much I continue to grow and evolve and I’ll keep doing that in business and life as that’s what makes it an exciting journey and feeds my unwavering curiosity with life! I feel since social media came into the game as a business owner I needed to learn to adapt quickly and frequently. I’ve always allowed myself within my business core values to remain open to the opportunities and possibilities and allow my curious nature to explore. I feel when Covid came about I had a month of the Covid breakdown like the rest of the world, spent sometime in the bush to comeback to peace and then chose to write my story for 2020 and not have it dictated to me by someone or something other than me. I’ve always walked my own path whether it was the right one or not. I’ve made my mistakes and owned them, so I thought with everything life has thrown at me already, nearly declaring bankruptcy, depression, serious car cash, I’m still here so what will I create or do to add value to this life and not just for me but for the industry that has given me so much joy over the years.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE COMING UP NEXT FOR BEAUTY BOSS BUSINESS?

The 7C strategy education platform is in full swing and will continue to grow, we will look at creating a subscription base late next year so the beauty industry can keep up to date with the businesses side of their craft in a fun and easy format! We will launch the beautyboss.education platform in March which will be very exciting and I look forward to sharing it with your readers. Season 2 of “Brilliant Brains and Beautiful Minds” will launch, my production company is creating content for brands and my awards platform will continue to support artists. 2021 here we come.

You can listen into Melanie’s podcasts via iTunes and Spotify. www.beautybossbusiness.com @beautybossbusiness