Conversations with the Inspiring Amanda Starker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Starker.

Amanda, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I began my journey into the world of henna about nine years ago when my mother got involved with working with refugees and brought me along to an international refugee celebration in Tucson. There were ladies from Nepal doing henna and that is where I received my first ever henna hand design. I instantly fell in love with the art form and asked the artists loads of questions about their work and how I could get started learning the art form myself. I started off by buying a [hazardous] store-bought [a.k.a. chemical-filled] cone of henna and began practicing the designs on my friends and myself just for fun. A year or two into college, I had done more research on the history and art of henna and realized that store-bought henna is not real henna at all (it is chemical and unsafe dyes, sometimes including lead) and real, true, natural henna is organic and made by hand from henna plant powder. Thus, I began to learn to make it myself and I’ve never looked back! I work hard to ensure that all my henna is hand-made from scratch, all organic, natural, and completely safe for the skin and that is something I’m proud to I offer my clients.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Succeeding in turning a passion into a means of revenue is challenging when it is simply one person attempting to do all the work. I am my own production team for my product, my own hands-on employee, my own cashier, my own accountant, my own manager, my own booking agent, and my own customer service rep. Finding time to maintain my love of the art form itself is challenging when I’m busy running the show and simultaneously being my own worst critic. Seeking self-improvement is vital for the growth of any brand/entrepreneur, however, too much self-criticism will be certain death for the passion and inspiration. Finding and keeping the joy in what one does is far more priceless in the grand scheme of the operation. Being some version of “perfect” is a pressure I think a lot of women, actually, a lot of people, feel for the majority of our lives. My remedy for this is to meditate on how my worth is found not in what I do, but in my Creator, and that helps me loosen up and find the humor in life! Seeing the silliness and the fun in the twists and turns along the way. If there’s a mistake, own up to it and laugh. Laughing encourages breathing, among other good things, which is a great way to de-stress. Let yourself be human. Human is beautiful, not perfect.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Henna Art by Amanda story. Tell us more about the business.
When I began dabbling in the world of henna art, I did not know that there is a very important distinction between real, natural, organic, handmade henna and the casual store bought “henna” cones and kits that are sold in international marketplaces and art stores everywhere. Store bought henna (in any form) is never worth the risk because they either contain harmful chemical dye fillers to mimic the staining abilities of real henna, or they do contain actual henna powder, just not very good quality because henna must be used fresh or stored frozen to maintain its staining power. As a henna newbie, I started out with “chemical cones” that I bought from some store somewhere, with no understanding of the chemicals I was exposing myself and my friends to. Some cones (especially “black henna”) even contain lead and PPD—a dangerous ingredient in hair dye that can cause blistering burns and permanent scarring to the skin. I got lucky and never had that kind of a reaction to the cones I bought, but these are all excellent reasons to steer clear of any henna artist who is advertising the use of “black henna” or store bought henna, even if they claim that it is perfectly safe. It is never worth the risk.

The more that I got involved with the henna community, the more education I was exposed to about the culture, history, ingredients, and process of henna. I quickly transitioned away from store-bought henna and started buying cones from reputable artists who shipped them freshly made and frozen. No more chemical “henna” cones for me! I am proud to say that for the last five years I have used nothing but certified organic, all natural, and completely safe handmade henna and I am never going back. Not only is it safer for myself and my clients, but it is far better quality as well. Always look to see that the artist is able to give you a list of all ingredients in their henna. Mine is simply natural henna powder (ground up and finely sifted dried henna plant leaves), sugar, water, and organic essential oil! If their ingredients include any kind of a dye, walk the other way because of safe and natural henna stains beautifully on its own with zero risks to your health!

Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
For anyone in any line of work, I encourage you to get yourself immersed in a genuinely supportive community. If you’re a henna artist, find a henna community to help encourage you on your journey. I am so thankful to have stumbled upon a virtual henna community group on Facebook with thousands of henna artists worldwide who all support one another to keep practicing and growing in our skills. The information I’ve gained, techniques I’ve learned, and questions I have had answered have been absolutely vital to my development as a henna artist. As a bonus, the majority of the artists are women who are empowering to see so many women running their own businesses and being bosses of their own trade! Find a community and lean into it to glean all you can. You won’t be sorry!

Pricing:

• $70/hour for parties of 5-10 people. For more people, please hire a secondary artist.
• $30 minimum for private appointments, pricing based on size and intricacy of design.
• Bridal packages beginning at $175
• $10-$30 travel fee depending on distance.
• 15% nonrefundable booking fee to secure date.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 5204616785
• Email: hennaartbyamanda@gmail.com
• Instagram: @hennaartbyamanda
• Facebook: Facebook.com/hennaartbyamanda

Image Credit:
Joelle Smith – New Northwest Photography, photography by Samantha Fite, @fitenation on instagram, Sydney Rae – @SydneyRaesPhotos

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.