No matter how long it takes, French looks forward to giving every service user a makeover to ensure they leave feeling their best.
FORT FRANCIS — This Valentine's Day marks the first year that Community Living Fort Frances District will host a makeover event for service users. This event is held in partnership with a young local entrepreneur who is launching a new makeup artist business, Milo's Makeup, by providing free makeup to the community.
Alex French, 21, officially started Milo's Makeup in November last year. Her interest in makeup began when she was young, sneaking into her sister's room and playing with makeup. French and her sister often practiced different makeup looks on each other. Over the years, Ms. French continued to hone her skills until one day she finally decided to start her own business.
Earlier this year, French posted on Facebook about offering free mods for the community. My girlfriend Christal Dolph from Community Living reached out and helped us arrange our Valentine's Day event.
Many of Community Living's beneficiaries struggle to get around due to physical disabilities, said Kim Caldwell, the charity's direct support specialist (DSP). “One of my ladies, her eyesight isn't very good, so she's very nervous about going out,” she said.
“We’re really excited to have Alex coming,” Caldwell said. “Because there’s not much you can do other than have a hairdresser come in. Hairdressers were very convenient when we couldn’t go anywhere due to the coronavirus pandemic, but they offer something special and different from everyday life. Just give it to me.”
The event is free and reserved for Community Living service users and has not yet been officially announced. “They're way too excited. And it's going to drive us crazy every day, wondering when something like this is going to happen,” Caldwell said.
Mr Caldwell said any local services interested in partnering with Community Living on future events supporting people with disabilities in the community should get in touch.
No matter how long it takes, French looks forward to giving every service user a makeover to ensure they leave feeling their best.
“I'm so excited. I'm a little nervous, of course, but I'm really, really looking forward to doing makeup on different people,” she said.
Ms. French will also bring lighting equipment in case anyone wants to take pictures of their makeup, and it would be great if a local photographer would like to help with a mini photoshoot. He added.
French didn't always know she wanted to be a business owner. At first, she studied video game art at Durham University in Oshawa, but quickly realized that it was not her passion.
She took her first step into entrepreneurship on December 5, 2022, when she officially opened Milo's Mutts, a pet grooming business in Fort Frances that grooms dogs and cats of all sizes. It was time. She then opened Milo's Merch, a merchandise store that custom prints her designs on shirts and signs.
Her pet grooming business offers haircuts, nail clipping, bathing, teeth cleaning, and more. As a one-on-one groomer, French works directly with her clients' pets without other pets in the salon, which means fewer interruptions, she said.
For those who dream of starting their own business one day, French says, “Just go out and give it a try.”
“You can live your dreams if you fight for your dreams and work towards them. I wasn't sure if my dog grooming job would work or not, but I'm very busy right now. And this makeover… “We didn't know if it would work or if anyone would want a free makeover, but we received a lot of positive feedback,” French said.
“If you're really passionate about something, there's nothing that says you shouldn't do it,” she said. “I have a lot of passions and a lot of things I want to do. To be honest, I love working. I love working and everything because it's fun and it doesn't feel like work.”
Makeup is a way to express yourself, French says. Her go-to look includes a touch of pink in the inner corner of her eyes, mascara, and lip gloss.
“I think it's definitely a form of art. And it's on your face, so you can show it to everyone,” she said. “You can brighten up your look, or you can decide one day, 'I want some green on my eyelids.' There are no boundaries. You can do whatever you want. Halloween is probably the best holiday ever.” . You get to see how good everyone is with makeup, whether it's special effects or just regular makeup.”
In the future, French hopes to host free makeover events for seniors. She also wants to open storefronts for Milo's Merch and Milo's Mutts.
Fort Frances Times/Local Journalism Initiative
