Today we’d like to introduce you to Diane Thomas.
Hi Diane, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In 2010, I visited a major theme park and had my face painted for the first time. I enjoyed the experience of being painted so much that when I returned home, I went online to research face painting. In my search, I found a forum of face and body artists, where I learned about safe products, practices, and how to handle face painting as a business. Armed with that information, I ordered a basic palette of paints and started painting my children, the neighborhood kids, and anyone else who would sit for me. When people started asking my rates, I realized I had an opportunity.
Initially, I learned designs from YouTube videos and eventually joined a paid subscription service to learn from some of the best body artists in the world.
With the help and support of my family, I built my business by searching out festivals and events and emailing coordinators to ask for vendor spots. Within two years, I was booking parties and corporate events, further expanding my customer base.
In 2019, I was able to go to a convention to meet some of the artists from whom I had learned my trade, as well as take some live classes to gain more education and experience. I participated in my first competition and won second place.
One of the things I am most passionate about, regarding face and body art, is safety. The products I use are FDA-compliant, cosmetic-grade products. This is so important to me that I have worked with multiple festival organizers to compose a list of regulations for their vendors, so that the face painting experience is safe for festival guests.
I have been in business for fifteen years now, and I can honestly say that the joy I feel when I reveal a face to a customer never gets old. I have repeat clients I have seen for many years, and it makes me so happy to have children return to my booth every time I am at a festival.
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?
Running Fancy Faces by Diane has not always been smooth sailing. Many of my festivals are outside, which puts us at risk for low crowds, rain damage, and equipment failure. But by far, the biggest challenge I have faced was during the pandemic. Safety measures meant customers could not have parties and events, and we certainly were not able to paint any faces. I had to shut my business down entirely.
Thankfully, I was able to find a new creative outlet, which was window painting for businesses. A friend of mine owns a hair salon with two front windows. She graciously allowed me to paint them and learn, as well as create a portfolio to share and solicit other businesses. I now have multiple repeat clients who hire me to paint their business windows every season.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Fancy Faces by Diane?
I am a professional face and body artist, specializing in face paint, henna tattoos, and airbrush tattoos.
I also paint windows for businesses on a seasonal basis. I am known for showing up early, my professional setup, and being very fast. I have had the opportunity to paint aboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas as an enrichment staff member, and I am an internationally recognized, award-winning face painter.
I do private parties, corporate events, school and church events, as well as festivals.
I’ve done a few murals and hope to branch out into that field more in the future.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I’m not sure I can share only one important lesson I’ve learned along the way. My business advisor recommended that I create a brand, so my business would be recognizable. I’ve found this to be essential. Also, get to know and understand the customer base, as well as network with other businesses offering the same services. Having a network of like-minded business owners is helpful when I need to direct prospective clients somewhere, if I am unavailable. I have come to highly value my network, and they value and refer to me in return.
Pricing:
- Hourly rate starting at $125
- Festival designs starting at $10
- Window painting starting at $50
- Murals priced on sq ft and design details
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fancyfacesbydiane.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancyfacesbydiane
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FancyFacesbyDiane/
