Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda McKnight.
Hi Amanda, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I always knew that I wanted to own my own business. I just thought it would be a catering company. I loved to cook and attended the Culinary Arts program at Walter’s State Community College. I had one semester left when I had my son. It made me realize that to succeed in the culinary world that I would have to work long hours, often at night. I did not want to miss my son’s milestones, and I didn’t want to have to be away from him for long hours at a time. So, I took some time off to think about what I wanted to do.
One of my good friends who ran her own salon at the time suggested that I do makeup. When I asked when I could start, she informed me that I had to go to beauty school and get a license. I ended up going to Tennessee School of Beauty at the age of 29 for Esthetics, and my license at 30. After taking additional makeup classes and working with other local makeup artists for a year, I started Southern Sirens.
Why makeup and Esthetics? When I was younger, I had an acne problem. I was embarrassed by it because no matter what I did, it didn’t really go away. Also, I have been considered plus size for the majority of my life. I know what it feels like to not fit society’s idea of being beautiful. However, my parents raised me to be confident and proud of myself. I wanted to make other women feel confident and beautiful. I wanted to enhance their natural beauty, and I wanted to do it on some of the most important days of their lives.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I think that if any entrepreneur says that they had an easy time starting and running their business, then they must be extremely lucky. Starting a business and then running it is definitely a learning process.
Every year, I come across something new, and I have to adjust and adapt my business. Social media has expanded and grown like crazy in the nine years that I have had my business. Trying to keep up with the new ways of connecting, and the feeling that your business is always open can be a bit stressful.
It’s hard to disconnect due to FOMO. Covid has definitely added in a new set of concerns and obstacles as well. Even with the struggles, I wouldn’t trade working for myself.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Southern Sirens specializes in on-location hair styling and airbrush makeup services for weddings. We also offer these services for the other special events in your life such as prom, baby showers, graduations, etc.
We are different than most places in Knoxville in that we do not offer salon services such as cuts, colors, facials, nails, etc. We only offer hair styling, airbrush makeup, and lashes. I am proud that our team is known for enhancing our bride’s natural beauty, we are known for keeping on schedule, and being a consistent and reliable beauty provider which is so important because our clients are choosing us to be a part of their once in a lifetime moments.
We provide on-location services for parties of just one person to parties of 15+. We believe that everyone is a star and deserves to shine. We have also started offering lash extension services to our clients as well.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
My team and I specialize in wedding and event hair styling and airbrush makeup. To see if we have availability for your date, you can fill out our contact form on our website.
We really enjoy doing photo shoots, fashion shows, SFX makeup, etc. We are always open to collaborating with other local artists on creative projects.
The best way to support me and my team is to recommend us to someone who has a special event coming up and follows us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, Pinterest).
Contact Info:
- Email: amcknight81@gmail.com
- Website: www.southernsirens.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernsirens/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/southernsirenstn/
- Other: Tiktok- @southernsirens
Image Credits
Tonya Damron Photography
Derek Halkett Photography
Nelya Photographs
Star Noir Studio.
DeeDee Holmes
October 28, 2021 at 11:01 pm
I couldn’t be prouder of my daughter, Amanda. As she said, she knew early on that she wanted to own her own business. It’s wonderful as her mother to see her not only succeed but to flourish. I’m one proud mother.