Meet Amanda Hopcraft | Makeup and Hair Artist & Owner of Hopcraft Collective

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Hopcraft and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, how do you define success?
For me success is a number of things, but, I think the most important element of success, is the flexibility and ability to do the things you enjoy. I enjoy the ability to work when I choose and balance time with my family. Its taken a little while to get there but, when that balance was achieved and the more I improve on that balance the more successful I feel I’ve become.

What should our readers know about your business?
I began my career in 2004 in St. Augustine Florida as a solo makeup artist and quickly joined forces with a hairstylist to begin working on weddings and events. As the business grew we expanded not only the team but, into brick and mortar as well. In 2016, thanks to a wedding in Saranac Lake, NY and Hurricane Matthew, our team grew again and expanded into Georgia, Upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and beyond.

The Hopcraft Collective is now made up of more than 20 makeup and hair specialists who go above and beyond to make their clients’ dreams come true. While Hopcraft collective specializes in weddings, our talented team has
also worked in television and film and has had their work published in a myriad of online and print publications.

I’m insanely excited about our new venture in Downtown St. Augustine, Florida, we are opening a bridal getting ready lounge! Its the perfect spot for brides looking for an alternative to their cramped hotel room or airbnb and its minutes from multiple venues downtown!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
While I spend part of the year in Vermont, St. Augustine will always be home and be one of my favorite places. When friends visit the Nations Oldest City, my must see stops are:

Drinks- St Augustine has such a fun bar scene and really has something for everyone. My favorite watering holes include Ink and Barley, Cararra Wine Cellar (which happen to be neighbors) and Boat Drinks. BONUS, Boat Drinks is also one of my favorite restaurants, their food is incredible and you literally cant go wrong ordering anything on the menu.

Food- Beyond Boat drinks I also love Harbor View Cafe, The Cafe Alcazar … its in the deep end of an amazing old swimming pool and is an absolute must see the food is also fabulous and Kingfish Grille. The sushi and Kingfish is top notch!

Things to see and do- There is so much history and things to see in St. Augustine, the Lightner Museum, the Villa Zoryda and the St Photios Greek Orthodox Shrine are not to be missed!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I absolutely would not be where I am today without a group of people that have helped me to this point. I am very fortunate to have an insanely supportive spouse who is behind me every step of the way. He’s always my biggest cheerleader and calls me out when I need to be checked. Then there is Hannah, my insanely talented office manager who over the last 15+ years, in some capacity or another has been by my side helping steer the ship. She’s the real MVP! There is also a really long list of friends and fellow female business owners that have helped kick my ass, supported me when I couldn’t go any further and offered a margarita when that was the only solution!

Website: www.hopcraftcollective.com

Instagram: @hopcraftcollective

Facebook: Facebook.com/hopcraftcollective

Image Credits
Melissa Lynn Images Moliner Photography Christina Karst Mary Moliner Photography Keith MacDonald Photography