Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Glaser.
Jill, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As a preteen and teen, I spent hours in my bedroom, experimenting with makeup, Even though I loved the art form, I never considered makeup as a career; instead, I became an Illinois licensed attorney and practiced law for over 10 years. I married, raised three daughters, and felt fortunate to be able to be a stay-at-home mom for 16 years. By the time I was ready to reenter the work force, I found that I no longer wanted to practice law. In the year 2000, I was asked me to help with a school play-I was randomly assigned to do makeup- and that was it! I fell in love with makeup all over again.
I took a state-certified program for makeup artistry at the continuing education department of Columbia College in Chicago. I then started to work as a freelance makeup artist, doing makeup for weddings, commercials, TV appearances and more. In 2003, the continuing education department at Columbia closed down and there was no other makeup artistry program available in Chicago. Seeing a need for education, in 2005, I created a curriculum, and went through the laborious process of having the school certified by the Illinois Department of Higher Education. I hired a theatrical artist to teach theatrical makeup and, initially, I taught all of the other courses. Within a few years, and a lot of hard work, Make Up First ® School grew to become the leading makeup artistry program in the entire Midwest. We have since expanded the School further, opening an in-School Pro Shop, and also providing job placement through our sister company, Artists by Make Up First, LLC.
Has it been a smooth road?
Starting, and then growing the business, was definitely labor intensive. In the first three years, I worked 7 days a week, well over 12 hours a day. I did not have a problem with organizing the business. However, in the beginning, I was not familiar with the people and the industry, which sometimes resulted in some poor decisions in terms of allocation of expenses. In the end, everything worked out, although I am sure that I will continue to make new mistakes!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Make Up First School and Make Up First Pro Shop story. Tell us more about the business.
Make Up First School is the only makeup artistry program in Chicago, approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, Division of Professional and Vocational Schools. The School is also an approved Continuing Education Sponsor under the Illinois Barber Act, making it possible for licensed cosmetologists, estheticians, barbers and nail techs to obtain requisite continuing education hours through courses and workshops presented at the School. Make Up First School is the only training school in the entire Midwest that offers a comprehensive curriculum, ensuring that the graduates are able to work in a variety of makeup jobs. All of the instructors for the courses and workshops are state-approved, and are currently working in the area of their expertise. In addition, the School invites guests’ artists who are renowned in the industry for special effects workshops, portfolio building workshops, and others. Our graduates are actively recruited for job positions, typically through the; if students want to pursue this career path, they are given a head start by their association with Make Up First School.
Personally, I still work on a part-time basis as a freelance makeup artist, specializing predominantly in makeup for commercial shoots for high definition film and television, and high resolution print. I am also an expert at camouflage makeup for severe skin discolorations/disorders. I volunteer my services for the Phoenix Society as well as the Burn Institute of Loyola Hospital.
As a company, I am very proud of the fact that our graduates are highly sought-after for employment. We are known, not only for our skills, techniques and product knowledge, but also for our superior education in the areas of the science of the skin and hygienic/sanitation practices. I am also proud that our students “get what they paid for”; the students are very happy and proud to attend, and are sad when the certification program is completed! However, most of our students keep in contact with us for advice, advanced workshops and to replenish their kit supplies through our Pro Shop.
We have a huge social media following, with people from all over the world, who eagerly wait for our daily postings: I believe that the audience can tell that we enjoy what we do, and we hope that the students are having as good a time as we are!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The most apparent trend is the shift away from brick and mortar, for both education as well as for products; the upcoming generation heavily relies on social media (and YouTube) for their information.
In order to change with this trend, we have an e commerce website to satisfy those individuals who wish to shop for products on-line. While there is no excellent substitute for hands-on practice with teacher critique, in order to stay competitive in terms of education, we are in the infancy of creating an online course or webinar series.
Contact Info:
- Address: Make Up First, LLC
100 N. LaSalle Street
Suite 1010
Chicago, IL 60602 - Website: http://www.makeupfirst.com
- Phone: 312.621.0801
- Email: info@makeupfirst.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeupfirstschool/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makeupfirstschool/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MakeUpFirst
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/make-up-first-chicago
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/makeupfirstschool
Image Credit:
Robert Beczarski, Jim Luning, John Filipkowski
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