Starting a business is one of the most exciting — and terrifying — things you can do. I know, because I've done it.

I'm Yvette, a self-taught face painter based in Sydney's Sutherland Shire. What started as painting little faces at child care centres turned into a proper business: bookings at birthday parties and events, a growing gallery of happy kids, and even a series of children's books on the side. It didn't happen overnight, and it definitely didn't happen without a few wobbles along the way.

But the biggest lesson I've learned didn't come from a business book or a course. It came from my own kids.

The Lesson My Kids Taught Me

When my kids weren't happy with their school reports, I realised something. That dissatisfaction — that refusal to settle for mediocre — wasn't a problem. It was a gift.

Not being satisfied with where you are right now is exactly what gives you the motivation to practise, to push, and to get to the next level. Whether it's a school report or a face painting design that didn't quite come out the way you pictured it, that little sting of "I can do better" is the thing that actually makes you better.

I've carried that with me ever since. Every time a design doesn't go the way I planned, I don't pack up and go home. I practise. I try again. I get better.

If you're thinking about starting something of your own — whether it's face painting, a creative service, or anything else — here's what I wish someone had told me.

Start Before You Feel Ready

There's always a reason to wait. You want more practice. You want a better kit. You want to feel more confident. But here's the truth: you learn the most by actually doing it. The child care centres where I first started wasn't glamorous — but it gave me real experience, real feedback — and how honest are the kids??? haha — and real confidence that no amount of practising at home could have given me.

Start small. Start scrappy. Just start.

Don't Be Satisfied With Mediocre — And That's a Good Thing

This is the mindset shift that changed everything for me. A lot of people think that being hard on yourself is a negative trait. I disagree.

When you look at your work and think "that's not good enough yet" — that's not self-doubt. That's your standards talking. And high standards, paired with the willingness to put in the work, are what separate people who grow from people who plateau.

Practise constantly. Study other artists. Watch tutorials. Paint on yourself, your family, anyone who'll sit still long enough. Every single session makes you better, even when it doesn't feel like it.

Know Your Niche and Own It

When I began, I tried to be everything to everyone. But the more I focused on what I genuinely loved — creating magical moments for kids at parties and events — the easier everything became. My marketing got clearer. My bookings got more consistent. And I started attracting exactly the kind of clients I wanted to work with.

Ask yourself: who do I most want to serve, and what do I do better than anyone else? Then lean into that hard.

For me, it's children's events in the Sutherland Shire and Rockdale area. Every child gets a smile, a bit of magic, and even a free book written by me. That's my thing. Find yours.

Price Yourself Properly From the Start

If you are going to offer free services, make sure you put a time limit on it. If you truly are valuable to a business they will know it, and offer you a fair price for your services. But if you are going to charge for your service, don't undercharge. It might feel like a good way to get clients through the door, but it creates problems down the track. It attracts clients who don't value your work, it burns you out, and it's really hard to raise your prices later without losing people.

Do your research. Find out what others in your area charge. Factor in your time, your travel, your materials, and the value you bring. Then charge accordingly.

Get Your Booking System Sorted Early

Nothing kills momentum like a chaotic inbox. From the get-go I had a booking system through a website — this makes you look professional and organised. I even managed to sync my personal calendar to the business one. Clients can book directly through my website straight away. The less time it takes for a customer to book you, the more chances you have of securing that lead.

Make it easy for people to say yes to you.

Show Your Work — Constantly

For a visual business like face painting, social media is genuinely one of the best tools you have. Every face you paint is a portfolio piece. Every happy kid is a potential referral.

Take photos (with parents' permission, of course). Share them. Be consistent. You don't need to post every day, but showing up regularly keeps you visible and builds trust with potential clients.

And don't just show the finished result. Show the process. Show your setup. Show yourself at work. People connect with people, not just pretty pictures.

Build Your Local Reputation

For a local service business, word of mouth is gold. Every single booking is an opportunity to leave someone so impressed that they tell their friends, their school, their mothers' group.

Go above and beyond. Arrive on time. Be warm and patient with the kids. Make the experience feel special. Ask happy clients to leave you a review. A handful of genuine five-star reviews can do more for your business than any paid ad.

Keep Going When It Gets Hard

There will be slow weeks. Don't be desperate — be secure knowing you have a good product, and wait patiently. There will be enquiries that don't convert. There will be days when you wonder if it's all worth it.

It is.

Building a business takes time. The people who succeed aren't necessarily the most talented — they're the ones who keep showing up, keep practising, and keep going even when it's tough. They're the ones who look at mediocre and decide it's not good enough.

I started painting faces because I loved it. I still do. And now I get paid for it! On my own terms, in my own community. That's something worth working for.

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If you're just starting out and you'd like to chat, feel free to reach out. I'm always happy to share what I know.

And if you're looking for a face painter for your next event in the Sutherland Shire or Rockdale area — you know where to find me.