Today we’d like to introduce you to Cary Kerouac.
Hi Cary, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
A Brush with Destiny: How “Her Lips are Cherry” Came to Be
My journey started with a single brush stroke. At 21, I found myself living a dream in the world of professional beauty as a model and makeup artist for Covergirl. That experience was my education, opening doors to an incredible career working with prestigious names like Estee Lauder and Vogue. I spent years perfecting my art on photoshoots, giving brides their dream look, and helping clients feel stunning for their most important events.
After building a solid foundation of experience, I knew it was time to build my own legacy. That’s how “Her Lips are Cherry” was born in 2024. The name of my business comes from my Father, Michael Kerouac, a song he made for my as a little girl.
“C-c-c-Cary, the Canary, she’s the kind of girl who is extra ordinary, Her eyes are berry, her Lips are cherry, she’s the kinda girl the boys All want to marry!”
The perfect opportunity arrived at my family’s venue, Little Paradise Venue in Groveland. My in-laws to be, Elias and Sandra Da Rosa gave me an amazing opportunity! There, I was able to merge my love for beauty with my skills in venue management and planning.
The business has since exploded. “Her Lips are Cherry” is a preferred vendor at over a dozen venues, including favorites like Hidden Barn, a special thank you to Bruce Hasse at traditions services for opening the first door to venue partnerships, and has forged wonderful partnerships with wedding planners Dez Breathtaking Weddings and Events and Laci at Enchanted Events. Countless amazing vendor referrals and collaborations with my amazing vendor team such as Sandra hiles at hiles event Planning, Brianna Zerga at family tree events and Christie at CMP photography, Spencer at Saturated Visions Video
for actress headshots and boudoir to styled shoots and weddings! As
well as great connections from wedding venue maps like Edwin at WSE dj services!
With the unwavering support of my Partner in life Chris Da Rosa and my mother, Carolyn Kerouac who has helped me in every turn in my life. Life has not always been perfect and I have overcome my fair share of trials and tribulation, I am truly grateful for where I am today! We have a gorgeous family of 8 awesome kids, a beautiful wedding venue, and a successful beauty business, such a truly blessed life!
I was so blessed to meet Nailah Prince at Sarasota One Stop Wedding Shop at her extravaganza this past year and expanded our reach to the Tampa bay and Sarasota area! We have a ton of weddings coming up together and her caliber and character have helped guide me through this amazing growth! I look up to her so much and an honored to be a part of her business! I also met some amazing coworkers Through vendor referrals and collaborations with her with bridal experts like Heather McGuire, Ash Sook, Christina with Heart and Root Photography my small business has grown into a team of talented artists. Today, we travel across Florida, delivering beauty services, hosting trials at our gorgeous bridal suite and making special days even more memorable. It’s a true joy to be able to live my passion every day and make my brides feel absolutely stunning! I love every minute of it!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Haha, nothing easy in life is worth having! Starting any business comes with its own set of challenges! Thankfully, this has been a pretty smooth ride, and I’ve had amazing support along the way! I found timeline creation a struggle in the beginning, but got it down now!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
HMUA
Specializing in bridal glam
https://herlipsarecherry.my.canva.site/
Ig: @herlipsarecherry
Fb: weddingsandeventsbycary
I am most proud of building a trusted company and building personal relationships with my clients. I love seeing them glow on their big day and getting to be a part of that experience!
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Network, network, network! I attend as many events, styled shoots as possible. In this industry you really have to put yourself out there! It doesn’t always go the way you’d like it too, this industry can be brutal and cutthroat, but the key is to keep trying until you find your tribe! I am blessed to have an amazing mentor and friend in Nailah Prince of SarasotaOneStopWeddingShop, I call her when I need advice, or to vent, she’s always encouraging, real, and has built a truly remarkable business is a very short time. You should always look for a mentor who has attributes you admire and goals that align with your own! My advice is to find someone who follows those things and ask to shadow them, be an assistant, a good mentor will be honored to help you to the top!
Pricing:
- Bridal hair and makeup $350 includes trial
- Bridesmaids Hair and makeup $225
- Mob & Mog $200
- Group discounts, parties over 5 10% off
- Trusted venues and vendor discounts 10%
Contact Info:
- Website: https://herlipsarecherry.my.canva.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herlipsarecherry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1XtGeNMQ6S/
Image Credits
Cmp photography
Heart and root photography
Banks photography
Jerz Nieves photography
Saylor Grace Photography
