Viver Fragrância Make-Up Consultants, owned by Marilie Vermeulen, is a beautiful little workshop tucked away inside LifeStyle Pharmacy at Maerua Lifestyle Centre. It is elegant and so pretty, filled with enough make-up to make any girl happy.
The meaning of Marilie is Living Fragrance and that translated is Viver Fragrância.
How long have you been in business and how did you get started?
I have always had a love for business, I'm pretty sure I made my first sale when I was 7 years old and since then I never stopped. Viver Fragrância has been up and running for a full 8 months, we opened in March 2017. I studied Brand Building and Management at a private University in Cape Town. In the middle of the year we realised that the course was changed to Financial Management due to a lack of students. I decided to drop out because I wasn't going to do something that I wasn't passionate about. It was there that I walked into a MUD Studio. MUD Cape Town was just two streets from the University. I remember the first time I walked in, I felt loved and it felt homey. I was greeted with the biggest smile by Aloma. We soon became friends, I was the perfect guinea pig when they needed me and I just loved everything about MUD. I decided to do the Level 2 course at MUD in January and February 2017, they then chose me to become Namibia's Sole Distributor.
What inspired you to start your business?
I never wanted to be a make-up artist because they always made me feel ugly and useless, but because I experienced very different treatment at MUD. I was inspired to make a difference not only in die Beauty Industry but also in the lives of others. I have the opportunity to inspire, motivate and equip those around me. I choose to invest in others, "We rise by lifting others".
What would you say was your biggest challenge to overcome?
Business will always be business and sometimes it's good and others days it's bad. I mostly struggled emotionally, I had this idea or expectation that people will be nice and welcome others into the Industry, I was wrong. My biggest challenge was building a name for myself, ignoring the gossip and hateful comments but most importantly being the bigger person or adult in certain situations. I mostly found myself in situations where I had to set an example, I still find it challenging to stand my ground.
What is your favourite part of your business?
Inspiring and equipping others with the right products, information and skills is very rewarding. I think in-between my days are split seconds that I treasure like a the pure joy of a bride looking in the mirror after an application. The moment one of my clients mastered the skill of blending, that excitement. I also love the business aspect, providing professionals with the same products, opportunity and knowledge.
What change are you looking forward to most this year?
I think it's probably to cultivate kindness. New business ventures and new people bring new challenges and they'll always be there.
Where do you go to find inspiration for your business?
I'm inspired by other Make-Up Artists from all over the world but my clients inspire and motivate me.
Do you have a hidden talent?
Well, I'm pretty good at fine art and just loosing stuff but the rest is yet to be discovered.
How do you get a connection between you and your clients?
Forming relationships are extremely important find an area or topic that you agree on and build it from there. Between Social Media and worldly expectations all people really want is to feel important. I read a quote that said, "People don't buy products or services. People buy stories, relations things..." in other words something that touches their soul.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Definitely teaching, motivating and inspiring. I don't plan ahead, I just dive into things and then realise it's either sink or swim.
What other profession would you love to try?
I would love being an Educator and in my next life a Dog Whisperer.
Anything else about your awesome product you would like to share?
MUD cruelty-free which is absolutely amazing! MUD products are manufactured in a private factory in Los Angeles this means that they have ethical standards when it comes to the brand and manufacturing of the products. Their approach is "An Educated Approach", they strive to educate and equip as much as they can. Each product box has step by step guidelines on which you can easily follow. MUD has no 'fake' or 'dupe' products, this tells me something about their character and loyalty to their consumers. MUD changed my life and so many lives of my clients. I'll always love, support and choose MUD.
Any last words?
My goal is to equip and empower those around me, I can do this by providing them with my knowledge and skills along with the best products and tools within the Industry. I do private workshops, where I teach someone how to apply their make-up according to their facial features. As a Level 2 Internationally Certified MUD Artist I specialise in Beauty Essentials, Airbrush, Bridal, Studio and High Fashion make-up.
I want to be a living fragrance, a breath of fresh air to those around me.
Here is a link to the gorgeous magazine if you would like to learn more about MUD:
You can find Viver Fragrância on:
