Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsey Johnson.
Chelsey, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Chelsey Johnson, co-owner of Golden Magnolia Studio here in Orlando, FL! I have been doing makeup and hair for about 13 years professionally but I have always had a passion for beauty, starting when I was a little girl with my Bratz and Barbies! I would love to braid my friend’s hair on the play ground and I always wanted to wear lip gloss and glitter. I started doing theatre in high school and fell in love with doing stage makeup, this continued into college taking a stage makeup course. I became my professor’s assistant and followed her around doing makeup for local news anchors and theatre productions. She encouraged me to continue with my makeup journey and I applied to the Joe Blasco School of makeup in Glendale, CA. I moved to California and went to school full time, it was such an amazing experience and I had such wonderful talented teachers. Once I finished school I was only 20 years old and unsure of my next steps, so I moved back to Missouri and worked at Ulta and did friend’s makeup for their weddings. A friend from college and I decided to move to Orlando, FL for more opportunities and hopes of working at Disney World. I decided on top of my professional makeup certification I also wanted to do hair as well, so I attended the Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School in Oviedo, FL. I worked at MAC Cosmetics and assisted at a salon, while working at MAC I was presented with the opportunity to freelance for weddings and productions at Disney World and I took all the opportunities I could! I continued freelancing and met my now business partner Shelby Sullivan and we decided it was time to start our own company and be our own bosses and that is how Golden Magnolia Studio was born. I am so incredibly proud of us and what our business has become!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My career journey hasn’t always been the smoothest but I am grateful the struggles have lead me to where I am today and I know there will be more bumps in the road in the future but I’m excited to continue this journey! After makeup school finished I had no job and no money to stay living in California it was a hard decision to move back to my hometown and go back to retail. Making the decision to move to Florida and leave my friends and family behind was scary but I’m so glad I did it. I learned a lot working for others and finding what was best for me and my career was certainly a bumpy road, also surviving the pandemic being a non-essential worker was a very uncertain time. Making the decision to start Golden Magnolia Studio with Shelby was the best and scariest decision I could have made, learning about all the things that go along with owning a business is a continued learning curve but I’m so glad I don’t have to go through it alone!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a makeup artist and hair stylist, I specialize in bridal hair and makeup but also love working on productions and events! Making others look and feel their absolute best on the best day of their life brings me so much joy! I am so proud of our company Golden Magnolia Studio, we provide a laid back luxury experience not only with the artistry and styling but also with the atmosphere, we want our clients to feel calm and taken care of. My favorite looks to do are a gorgeous soft glam with a pop of color and romantic Bo-ho hair styles!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The beauty industry is constantly changing, social media and trends really set the tone nowadays! I want to always keep current with what is trending but also keep the foundation of knowledge and what works for hair and makeup because no matter what the client wants to look and feel beautiful and that is my goal. Artistry and creativity is always at the heart of what we do, so no matter what changes happen I believe that the beauty industry will still thrive.
Pricing:
- Makeup application $200+
- Hair Styling $150+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Goldenmagnoliastudio.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/goldenmagnoliastudio
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/goldenmagnoliastudio
- Other: https://TikTok.com/goldenmagnoliastudio
