Dannica is a Makeup Forever National Educator in Canada.
Growing up I did not believe I was creative. Turned out, I was wrong, and my creativity took the form of problem-solving. Thinking about that, if I could speak with my past self, I would tell myself that it is okay to take a different path than the one travelled by most. I would point out that it is all right to be unconventional and blaze your own trail in life. That not following the most politically correct way up the corporate ladder can be satisfying if you approach it with honesty, thoughtfulness, and with reason. Maybe the basis for becoming an educator was to show others there are different ways to learn and unexplored means of getting there.
My career began soon after college. I had always been an athlete in both high school and college but a comment from a fellow I admired, rocked my world. He said…there she is…great at sports and pretty too. He was talking about another athlete, not me. That cinched it, I went out and bought my first eyeliner and a love for makeup was born. Growing up in Edmonton, Alberta, I went to school for business and marketing at NAIT. Soon after graduation, I worked for a marketing firm where I was exposed to the world of commercial advertising. During filming one day, I watched a makeup artist prepare the actors, on set. Being passionate about makeup and beauty, my eyes were opened to the possibility that my passion and career could be one in the same. I headed to Vancouver, British Colombia to study makeup artistry at Blanche MacDonald.
After graduating as a makeup artist, I worked retail and loved my role as a Beauty Expert. I built relationships with women who needed help discovering products that worked for them and made them feel joyful about themselves. Being a makeup artist was very satisfying because it allowed me to share the gift of beauty with so many different people.
One of my scariest and most joyful learning experiences, was working 100% on commission doing outside hair supplies sales for salons. Creating relationships and reading the needs of the salons and their owners was a craft all on its own. Here, I proved to myself that I was in control of my future, my business and my JOY. This commission-based role helped me to land a full-time regional sales position with MAKE UP FOR EVER.
Now residing in Montreal, Quebec, I am the National Educator for the brand, and the Shopping Network Representative. Celebrity clients have included Kehlani, Ria Mae, Martin Short, Gord Bamford among others. I have worked on many National commercial campaigns including Travel Alberta, Arctic Spa, and Big Valley Jamboree.
I pride myself on elevating others, whether they are in the field or in corporate head office. I am passionate about seeing growth in others and sharing the knowledge I have earned over the past 20 years.
