Name: Kendra Steele
Age: 26
Title: Makeup Artist/Esthetician/Residential Real Estate Agent – It’s really fun to explain this when I’m asked what I do.
Married/Single: Married
Kids: Not quite yet 🙂
City you live in: Scottsdale
A typical day in my life includes…
many different things. In addition to owning my freelance makeup business, I sell residential real estate with my momma, Sherry, and work for Citrine Natural Beauty Bar. I don’t really sleep late, but my favorite time of day is waking up with my dogs (ok, I love my husband too, but he goes to work early) and catching up on emails or getting some work done while I drink my coffee. Any time that I have the chance to be at home for most of the day, I spend it cleaning and organizing while listening to loud music, usually with my go-to face mask on the whole time. Those are my favorite days, but the ones I spend working with clients or at Citrine are so fun too. Any day that is different than the last is one that I look forward too. I am a Gemini so I love change and diversity in my everyday routine.
I was born…
in South Scottsdale, less than ten minutes from where I live.
My favorite thing about Arizona…
is my family. I was born here (as you just learned) but grew up for the most part in Texas because of my dad’s job moving our family there. I love Texas but I am so close with my extended family and being away from them got harder and harder as we got older. The big life things started happening like babies and weddings and all of that good stuff and I didn’t want to miss out. The first year that I moved back, I WALKED around the corner to my grandma’s house for our Christmas dinner and that was one of the most memorable moments in my life. It was one of those moments where everything just kind of hits you and you realize how crazy it is that things work out the way they are supposed to.
I’m listening to…
a Pandora mix of Country and Hip Hop music.
My family…
is my world. I am so blessed to have a family that, although crazy and dramatic at times, loves each other and can sure have a good time when we are all together. My husband’s family has only added to this. I love them all and have felt like I belonged in their crew since I met them. Our families are the kind of families that watch the news while rubbing each other’s shoulders. Some may find it strange – I disagree. My immediate family consists of my husband, myself and our two fur babies (Paisley and Beauregard). We plan to have kids, but who knows when that stage will come. I try not to think about it all that much because we all know what happens when you try to plan your future!
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…
my husband. I know this is not the answer you were looking for but its honest. We love to try new restaurants. Okay, we love to try the craft cocktails at new restaurants.
One thing I cannot live without…
dogs! My dogs are my best friends and my therapy. I can’t imagine my home without their energy and love.
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
a veterinarian. I love animals and still think it would be such an amazing job. Unfortunately, once I got older I realized I don’t have the stomach for this or anything else in the medical field.
I’m inspired by…
the little things every single day. I think it’s so important to treasure moments in life that reveal love and happiness – this is what keeps me going. It’s easy to let these glimpses of what life is really about be overshadowed by negativity, conflict or stress.
The one person who motivates me is…
my little brother. Long story short, he is sick and fights every day to live life like he isn’t. He has Crohn’s disease and was a pretty sick little boy. He had his disease under control for years, but the last few years have been really hard. He will not let it stop him. He is in paramedic school right now and hoping to get into PA school in the next year or two. He doesn’t let the cards that have been dealt to him turn to pity or wanting people to feel bad for him. He has turned them into a passion to help others and I can’t even put into words how much he motivates me and makes me realize how minuscule the things I complain about are.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be…
changing the way people view health, diet and medical care. When it comes to these subjects I am a bit of a conspiracy theorist. Although I am no example of perfect health, my eyes are open to what is wrong with the foundation of how this is handled by most. I take the time to research and know what I am putting in my body, including what products I use in my home.
The perfect day would be…
to wake up, go outside, and discover that a magical cold front moved into the valley and there was snow falling. Then, I would go to my favorite breakfast place (Breakfast Club) and get the same thing I always order (Breakfast Grilled Cheese – you HAVE to try it). After this I would go home, sit by my fireplace that I never get to use and enjoy the warmth. That afternoon I would take time to get ready. Even though I am a makeup artist, it is very rare that I actually have time to shower, do my hair and my makeup all in one day. I would lounge around, getting ready at my own pace. Then, I would host dinner at my house with all of my family, friends and coworkers and we would play board games. I love a good game night! Once the evening had ended and everyone had gone home my husband and I would top it all off with a glass of whiskey by our fire pit, bundled up in the cold. Can you tell I dislike the heat?
My first job was…
working at the jewelry counter at TJ Maxx my senior year of high school. With my first paycheck I bought a purple Juicy Couture wallet that I still use today. It is so cheesy and has phrases like “get money” and “charge it” inside, but I just can’t seem to part with it.
My favorite escape…
Greer, AZ. I grew up going to this tiny town in the White Maintains every summer. It had been a while since I had been and a couple of years ago my husband started working with someone who owned a lodge there. His client “offered” for us to go up there for a little getaway. Little did I know my husband was actually planning to propose. This place that had always meant so much to me became 10x more special just like that. We go back at least once a year to enjoy the peace and quiet.
My life…
is surreal. I am constantly humbled by how blessed I am to be married to a man who was just a cute boy I crushed on from states away ten years go. Every day I thank the Lord that I am with him and also say to myself, “I’m married to Ryan?”. Sometimes it is just hard for me to believe. I have not one, but three jobs where I am surrounded by supportive and amazing human beings. Maybe I am just overly emotional, but almost every time I see a sunset I tear up because it just puts the beauty of this world in perspective despite all the nasty things we hear about each day.
I’m currently working on…
my health. I have a severe anxiety disorder and because of this suffer from migraines and low energy a lot of the time. I refuse to take traditional medicines for this because of the side effects and the long term effects on your body. My hippie side takes over where this is concerned. I have many ways of coping with this but I never stop learning. Most people other than those very close to me would never know I struggle with this, but anyone who has or has had anxiety or migraines knows that it can completely shut you down. I want to get to a place where this no longer interferes with my life. I refuse to let it get in the way of my work, so I tend to let it affect my personal life more which is not healthy either.
Always…
tell the truth and have confidence in your own knowledge. One of the most important things I have learned in my career is when you don’t know the answer don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know.” This was a big policy at a previous company I worked for and it is SO important. Many people feel the need to lie or act like they know everything to seem like they are professional. You should never hesitate to let someone know you will do some research and get back with them. They will respect you more for taking the time to follow up.
Never…
use the word “just” before telling someone what you do for work. This is a lesson I learned from Jill Kohler, the amazing owner of Penrose Academy where I went to school for Esthetics. This was so memorable to me because I tend to downplay what I do, especially in situations where I am surrounded by people who went to college for 6+ years to be where they are. It can be intimidating. What you do is important and certainly not something to be ashamed of.
Favorite Quote…
I am not really sure if this counts as a quote, but there is this woman named Danielle LaPorte who has a website with these cute things called “Truth Bombs”. My favorite one says “Interrupt Anxiety with Gratitude”. This is such a powerful statement and really makes me stop, breathe, and remember what’s important.
Biggest Dream…
to purchase a house in South Scottsdale or Arcadia that has never been touched and turn it into my forever home while keeping some of the original charm.
My Pet Peeve(s)…
when people wear holiday colors when it isn’t the holiday!!! Red and green… black and orange… makes me crazy!
