This is the final episode of the Artist to Artist podcast. After 60 episodes, I'm putting the podcast on hiatus to focus my mentorship energy inside the membership, where I can go deeper with artists building sustainable careers.

In this episode, I'm sharing what I learned this year building Artist to Artist, and having to rebuild my business from the ground up, why I'm ending free content in 2026, and the truth about hosting masterclasses without a massive social media following or brand support.

I'm also talking about the invisible gap between free Instagram content and expensive masterclasses - and why nobody's teaching the professional infrastructure that actually keeps you working. Plus, the strategic decisions I'm making for 2026, including stepping back from weddings after 20+ years and focusing my energy where it can have the most impact.

If you've been listening to this podcast and getting value from it, this is your invitation to join me inside the membership where we can work through your actual business challenges together.

Important Update 

This episode references a past membership price. Artist to Artist is currently $60/month. Learn more and see current details here:

https://www.artist2artist.co/

Connect with me on Instagram: @artist2artist.co (artist education) and @angiedib (client work)

Thank you for listening. If you're ready to build a career that survives industry shifts and actually pays you what you're worth, I'd love to work with you inside the membership.

Before you set any goals for 2026, you need to assess where you actually are right now. Most makeup artists skip this step and wonder why nothing changes year after year.

In this episode, I'm walking you through the four-category audit framework:

Infrastructure - Can someone with money actually book you easily? How does the back end of your business run?

Confidence - Are you apologizing for your rates or pricing without market knowledge? What is the client perception of who you are and what you offer?

Visibility - Who with money actually knows you exist?

Momentum - Are you creating opportunities or waiting for them?

You can take this framework and do the audit yourself. But knowing what's wrong isn't the same as fixing it.

Important Update 

This episode references a past membership price. Artist to Artist is currently $60/month. Learn more and see current details here: https://www.artist2artist.co/

Connect with me:

https://www.instagram.com/artist2artist.co/ 

If you're waiting until January to start planning your next year, you're already behind.

December isn't downtime, it's when pro MUAs lay the groundwork while everyone else promises to "start fresh" in the new year.

In this episode, I'm breaking down why the quiet season is your biggest competitive advantage and how to use it strategically.

The Planning Mindset Shift

For years, I stayed stuck because I was reactive instead of intentional. When you have a clear goal, you stop reacting and start directing your business. While you're getting organized in January, other artists who planned in December are already executing.

Three Focus Areas for 2026

Your portfolio is your currency. Audit your book and ask: Does this represent the work I want to be doing? Treat creative shoots as career-building days, not just practice. Pay attention to the details that make clients say "this person is working at my level."

Your network opens doors you can't see yet. Think about who you want to stay connected with heading into 2026 and find low-pressure ways to check in.

A lot of your business needs attention now. Clean your kit, update your website and Instagram, review your pricing, and audit your year. Which jobs energized you and which drained you? Professionals rebuild in the off-season.

Your 2026 Action Plan

Create a mood board about the work you want to be doing - the style, the clients, the energy. Then ask: What needs to happen between now and next November for this to become reality? Put time in your calendar right now to think about what would make 2026 a success. Pick one thing you can do this month to move toward that.

Planning isn't about predicting the future, it's about preparing for it. Your dream career doesn't pop out of thin air ... it starts with intention.

Important Update 

This episode references a past membership price. Artist to Artist is currently $60/month. Learn more and see current details here: https://www.artist2artist.co/

If you've been sending DMs to photographers and vendors and getting nothing back, this episode is going to change how you think about networking forever.

Most makeup artists give up after their first ten messages go unanswered. They assume networking doesn't work, or that they're doing something wrong, or that nobody wants to work with them. But the truth is, they're just playing the short game when they need to be playing the long game.

In this episode, I'm sharing my biggest networking failures from when I was starting out - including the years I wasted reaching out to people who were completely out of my league and wondering why I wasn't getting responses. I'll walk you through why networking takes a minimum of 18 months to pay off, why your first 20 networking attempts are literally just practice, and how the photographers I work with now are people I met five, seven, even ten years ago.

You'll learn the three networking mistakes I see new artists make every single day, what I wish someone had told me ten years ago about building industry relationships, and why the compound effect of staying in touch imperfectly is more powerful than any complicated networking system.

If you're ready to stop feeling like networking is pointless and start building relationships that actually lead to bookings, this episode will give you the perspective shift you need. And if you want step-by-step guidance on how to do this strategically, join us inside the Artist to Artist membership this month. We're focusing entirely on networking and career growth - teaching you who to reach out to, what to say, how to stay in touch, and how to turn casual connections into consistent paid work.

Important Update 

This episode references a past membership price. Artist to Artist is currently $60/month. Learn more and see current details here: https://www.artist2artist.co/

Speed is a non-negotiable in this industry, but it doesn't mean sacrificing quality or cutting corners on hygiene. In this episode, I break down the myths self-taught and new makeup artists believe about working fast, share the moment I realized speed was actually a skill, and walk through the systems that let you work efficiently without ever putting client safety at risk.

In this episode, you'll learn why timelines get shorter as you gain experience (and how to prepare for that reality), the three biggest myths holding new artists back from working efficiently, the hygiene gap in our industry and how to build systems that keep you both fast and safe, plus the practical product choices and workflow shifts that help professional makeup artists maintain high standards under pressure.

Resources Mentioned: Artist to Artist Membership - Try it free for 7 days: https://www.artist2artist.co/offers/Cji3RZiC/checkout

October theme: Speed & On-the-Job Workflow

Monthly challenge: The 30/30 Speed Drill

Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artist2artist.co/

You're not slow because your hands aren't moving fast enough, you're slow because your setup might be working against you. In this episode, I share the shift that changed everything for me on set: stopping the comparison trance and finally asking for what I needed to be comfortable and efficient.

We'll talk about why most new artists stay uncomfortable (and how to break that pattern), the non-negotiables of a pro setup, and the one thing you can reorganize today that will make your next job feel completely different.

In this episode, you'll learn why new artists stay trapped in an "outward-focused setup" on set and how to snap out of it, the real cost of a chaotic station, what pros do differently with space, kit layout, and garbage management, the office analogy that will change how you think about setting up, and one immediate action you can take today to work faster tomorrow.

Resources Mentioned:

Artist to Artist Membership – Try it free for 7 days  

October theme: Speed & On-the-Job Workflow

Monthly challenge: The 3x30 Speed Drill Connect:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/artist2artist.co/

Your client isn't just working with you - they're comparing your professionalism to every other service provider they hire. If your communication doesn't meet industry standards, you look amateur by comparison.  

In this episode, I'm breaking down the communication mistakes that are costing you bookings and probably more money than you realize.  

The 5 Major Communication Mistakes:  

1. Poor quality communication - casual texts instead of professional correspondence, spelling errors, too many emojis, improper greetings

2. No clear booking policies or procedures - winging it instead of having professional systems in place

3. Timing issues - asking for important information too late, communicating changes last minute, no follow-through on bookings

4. Not setting expectations upfront - failing to communicate boundaries, policies, what's included, cancellation terms

5. Poor communication during and after jobs - looking disorganized, not following up professionally, disappearing after the work is done  

The Reality Check:  

You're not competing just against other makeup artists - you're being measured against the professional standard clients experience with photographers, venues, caterers, and other service providers. When your communication falls short, it signals immaturity and inexperience.  

The Solution:  

Start communicating like the professional you want to be seen as. Develop systems, set clear expectations, follow through consistently, and treat every interaction as an opportunity to build your reputation.  

This Month in the Artist to Artist Membership:  

We're covering the client management systems that actually work - professional communication templates, booking procedures that build confidence, and how to handle every stage of the client relationship like a true professional.  

Ready to stop losing bookings to communication mistakes?  

Join the Artist to Artist Membership: https://www.artist2artist.co/  

7-day free trial available

Are you course shopping your way to success? Let's chat. 

Most makeup artists are spending way too much on courses that aren't moving the needle in their career. You think you need more information, but what you really need is better information.

In this episode, I'm sharing the 5 questions you need to ask yourself before buying any course - whether it's beauty school, online training, or in-person workshops.

The 5 Questions to Ask Before Buying Any Course:

Key Takeaways:

Stop collecting information and start building actual skills.

There are more bad programs than good ones - and some will leave you thinking you're prepared when you're not course hoarding keeps you stuck in "student mode" instead of developing real professional skills.

The proximity to a working artist is invaluable - but only if you actually engage with it.

There's no magic solution or course that will fast-track you to success.

This Month in the Artist to Artist Membership:

We're covering the business basics that actually matter for booking and keeping clients - the practical systems you need, client management skills, and how to bridge the gap between what you've learned and what you actually need to do the job.

Ready to stop course shopping and start building real skills?

Join the Artist to Artist Membership: https://www.artist2artist.co/

7-day free trial available

 In this episode, we're breaking down why chasing viral moments is sabotaging your business and why steady, consistent work is actually your secret weapon.

What you'll learn:

Key takeaway: Viral moments come and go. Steady work builds careers. Being reliable, available, and professional creates opportunities you never saw coming.

Ready to build consistent systems? This month in the Artist to Artist membership, we're covering how to build a portfolio and brand that reliably attracts opportunities. Learn the strategy behind consistent posting and how to show up professionally in every aspect of your business.

Start your 7-day free trial.

Connect with me:

Instagram: @artist2artist.co
Website: artist2artist.co

The Artist to Artist Podcast is for self-taught and undertrained makeup artists ready to stop second-guessing themselves and start showing up like pros.

In this episode, we're tackling something that's costing you bookings without you even realizing it: being unclear about what you do and who you serve.

What you'll learn:

The paradox every new makeup artist faces - you need to be versatile to get work, but your portfolio needs to tell a clear story

Why "confusion kills conversions" and what that actually means for your booking rate

The difference between being versatile as an artist and presenting a clear portfolio

How to decide what work to show vs. what work to take (they're not the same thing)

My personal framework for curating your portfolio strategically

What to do when you don't have enough content for strategic curation yet

Why content creation is a skill you need to practice intentionally

The multi-dimensional approach your modern portfolio needs (it's not just pretty photos anymore)

How slow industry turnaround affects your portfolio strategy

Key takeaway: You can be versatile in your work and clear in your presentation. Those aren't opposites - they're both necessary for building a sustainable makeup career.

Ready to dive deeper? This month in the Artist to Artist membership, we're covering portfolio building and personal branding in detail. Get the complete framework for curating work that attracts the right clients, plus weekly coaching to implement it all.

Start your 7-day free trial

Connect with me: Instagram: @artist2artist.co
Website: artist2artist.co

The Artist to Artist Podcast is for self-taught and undertrained makeup artists ready to stop second-guessing themselves and start showing up like pros.