Funding your business - more vent then anything!

why do some face painters carry scissors?

Cutting things.... like, string to tie off a sign or barrier, plastic bags, hanging threads... I've used mine many times.

I started with the Snazz kit from Michaels and moved to the Snazaroo Pro Pallette and Diamond FX black (for crisper lines) and white, silver and gold, and neons. I find a Neon rainbow cake is a timesaver as well. I recommend a square rainbow cake as it lasts longer than the round ones, right Matina?

A number three brush, a couple of good liner brushes, and some flat brushes, and a butterfly brush are good to have as basics. The butterfly brush is in a fan shape and is used to make butterfly wings, and other things.

A glitter pouf bottle of irridescent fairy dust is also a must have. I bought many colors of glitter before I settled on just this one for all gigs. First I ask the child to close their eyes, then I lightly mist the face, then lightly pouf the glitter over the areas I want to accent. Also, gold metallic liquid glitter for crowns, accents, etc.

Eyelash glue or spirit gum for attaching gems is a good thing too.

Q-tips for painting the lips, and baby wipes of course, for cleaning the "canvas" and your anti-bacterial spray/gel for your hands and to spray on brushes between clients. I always wash my brushes and sponges in hot water and sanitize them between gigs.

Some "tack" sponges are a good thing to have, as you expand to doing full and half faces. They are a big time saver. They are high-density little round sponges (i get mine from Michaels) and cut them in halves or quarters for better application of paint.

Hope this helps to give you ideas as you start to grow your business. Good luck to you!

I was fortunate in that I was able to get my "perfect" kit right away, but can I tell you something? While it really *is* nice to be able to get anything I wanted, in the end, it was not quite SO exciting after all. I think having to scrounge for each paint or brush or chair would have really made me much more PROUD of my accomplishments with regards to my kit, seriously. After the newness of the purchase and acquisition and sampling of the new item wears off... what are you left with? A kit that works, I dare say, as well as a "lesser" one. But you don't have the pride and memories of having to sweat for EACH and every item!

I think part of the fun and success of the Ramsey method is the PRIDE that you have in doing all of this until it hurts. So definitely keep at the DR stuff, take your time acquiring new things, and do not think that an additional brush or paint would make you all THAT happier

HTH, Barbie

Barbie makes a good point! Having to wait for things you want, and getting items one at a time, really gives you a chance to enjoy them, savor them, and really learn how to use them before moving on to the next thing. Something to think about anytime we jump into a new interest.

I started very small. Of course, I didn't really know what I was missing since I wasn't "plugged in" back then as we all are now. I purchased little things here and there as I went along. I'm very much a tightwad about FPing. I've always considered it a business (albeit a FUN one!) so every purchase had to be justified based on need and ability to earn a profit. Because of that, my kit is still pretty compact and I use everything that takes up space in it quite often. I do envy those who have all of the yummy goodies though! (DX Metallix! Ahhhh! I'm coming, my lovelies...)

I just read this entire thread and have a different story.

I'd been doing henna for over a decade and was asked to get (back) into face painting by an event I was doing...they provided the paints. I liked it but was afraid of colors (lol) so I decided to go to the first Bodyssey in 2009 to figure this stuff out. I applied for an art grant from our local arts council and...I got it!
(thank goodness for that grant writing class). That paid for Bodyssey and a set of Paradise paints and new brushes.
I remember, very clearly, my first ever workshop- and my first step into any of this- was in a Mark Reid class. He actually made fun of the fact all my stuff was new.

I think I got very lucky somehow but it's an idea for those looking for possible funds.

I haven't read all of the responses yet, but I will say that I try to keep in mind that the goal of my business is to make money. It is tempting to get all the pretty colors and splits, and fancy equipment, but I do want to make some money at this, not JUST do it to support my hobby. There is so much out there you don't NEED (particularly in the beginning.) I started with the small Snaz kits from Michael's and only a few brushes and sponges, and "free" business cards from Vistaprint. I did a couple of small festivals and a couple of parties to earn the cash to put into getting a kit of paints. As I work, I use only part of what I make to buy supplies. I earned enough to get more brushes, full color glossy business cards and postcards (like a brochure), brochure holders for the postcards, a banner for festivals (actually one of my first purchases), and more fun colors of paint (metalics, rainbow pots, etc.)

Just keep your eye on the goal. If you want it to be a hobby that pays for itself, it is perfectly acceptable to buy all the pretty stuff, but if you are wanting it to provide some income, take it slow and always think about your purchases in terms of "How much will this help my business?" "Do I NEED this?" "Is it a good investment?"

Very well said, Gina. At the end of any event I take off a percentage of pay and set it aside as "replacement funds". The rest of the profit I use as I need but it is an income business first, play second for me.

Hey Cabby,

I think we all struggle with wanting more paint, but here's what I've learned the hard way. I always have more money to buy paint when I put more money into advertising and less into paint. Flyers, posters, post cards, business cards are all very valuable and pay for themselves quickly.

Wow, year later and I have all my paint now! Well not all but I have enough to keep me going. I even bought a tall directors chair. So those who are starting out there is hope!

Ok, so this post is a bit old, but I had to add to it as I too felt the funding blues. I started out this March, with a tiny wolfe pallette (the $30 ones with miniature square pots), a neon cake, 30g each of white and black, and 2 brushes. The entire purchase came to be about $95 and came with a free rainbow glitter. I used a tiny folding table, the ones used to eat in front of the tube, and two walmart folding chairs I got on sale. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I moved forward. I added to my kit bits at a time until I had no room to store my paints. But I feel that funding my kit wasn't as hard if I bought things little by little. I'd buy $20 worth of products (which we know isn't that much) here and there, and before I knew it, I felt it was more than enough. The real financial pain was getting the money to get the insurance and lisences. Ouch. I wasn't used to dishing out that kind of moolah all at once... now, that was painful!