Katrina

If you have the pleasure of meeting Katrina you may find yourself at a loss for words, as her beauty just about takes your breath away. Spend a moment or two with her and you realize quickly that her beauty is not just skin deep. Katrina is a Hollywood based make up artist, but will be the first to tell you that she prefers enhancing a woman’s individual beauty as opposed to making her into something she’s not. “Who I am goes beyond just applying make up,” says Katrina. “When I get a woman in my chair, that’s when I can really talk to her, really bring out her confidence.”

Katrina is a beauty guru of sorts – so it’s not surprising why she’s the obvious choice for so many celebrities. Working with a high profile clientele in Hollywood and traveling frequently out of state, Katrina felt the sting of the recession when she lost one particularly big client to Japan. “I’m no stranger to challenges,” Katrina explains. “Even as a child I was faced with some pretty grown up stuff, but it’s made me into the person I am today.” With the uncertainty of the economic slow down, Katrina decided she would have to expand her repertoire.

Being diversified, Katrina had always serviced a hand full of bridal clients. She’d never marketed herself in that particular area, but always welcomed weddings as a much-needed break from the drama and pressure of some celebrity clients. Being there on someone’s special day gave Katrina great joy. “I’m there at the beginning of a new chapter in someone’s life,” explains Katrina. “I’m like the fairy God mother with my wand, making her feel like a princess.” Finding connection with something spiritual and profound, Katrina feels a great privilege to be witness to one of the most important days in a woman’s life. She soon began marketing efforts to gain more bridal clientele, and it seemed within weeks she was constantly booked. “I’m open to the idea of things changing and morphing. I like the challenge of finding new work in unexpected areas.”

Working more in the bridal industry isn’t the only change Katrina’s life has seen because of the recession. “I’m doing a lot more things that I never did before,” says Katrina. “Because I’m traveling less for work, I’ve taken up new hobbies in my home town. I’ve really gotten into hiking. I go 9-10 hours a week and I just love it.” Excited to also try tennis because a good friend of hers plays, Katrina welcomes the added quality time it will allow them both. Being a dedicated volunteer at her church has also broadened Katrina’s feelings on giving back in this time of need. “I’ve been ushering and mentoring more and I got involved in Habitat for Humanity. I have all this extra time to do things in my life I’ve always wanted to do,” says Katrina.

Currently, Katrina has relocated to Santa Barbara and works part time with Gwyneth Paltrow’s brand Goop where she is able to balance her value of mind, body and soul happiness. She was also able to go back to school with that extra time off and get her real estate license. Last time I talked to her she was handing my book to the editor of Goop. Always empowering other woman, that’s Katrina for you.

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About the currency project

The Currency Project challenges us all to see the beauty through the pain, the positive that can come from a negative and the heartbreak that can turn into a new beginning. Life is uncertain but our faith, hope and love can never be taken from us. Our true currency in life is what we make it.