Why Community Over Competition is the Key to Success -Break free from scarcity thinking even in a saturated market-The Abundance Mindset Every Artist Needs for Their Business to Thrive.
- Ashanta Artistry
- Jul 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 16
Is there actually enough room
for everyone’s star to shine brightly in a saturated market?
I believe so. The only thing standing in the way of us all shining bright like diamonds is the limiting power of our egos. Our egos are wired for scarcity, and when fear takes the wheel, we shift into self-preservation mode rather than operating from a place of abundance.
This isn’t to shame the ego—it exists to protect us from destruction. But when left unchecked, it can create a reality that attracts the very opposite of what we truly desire.
The Myth of “Too Much Competition” in the Beauty Industry
Take, for example, the world of freelance makeup artists and hairstylists in Los Angeles. There’s no shortage of talent—some have prestigious clientele, sparkling credentials, or lower rates. Because of this, many perceive the competition as thick— and not in the good THIC way. Some artists view every other artist as a withdrawal from their bank account. And honestly, can you blame them? It seems like there’s only so much work to go around, right? The client pool is finite, and the more artists feeding at that pool, the smaller the share of the pie, right?
WRONG.
That’s a fear-based, scarcity mindset that breeds gatekeeping, a “me vs. them” mentality, and is a low-frequency existence. It leads to burnout, undercharging, overworking, and attracting clients who don’t truly value your worth.
How the Abundance
Mindset Changes Everything
-Every artist in a saturated market needs an abundance mindsets for their business to thrive
On the flip side, seeing fellow artists as a community instead of competition breeds higher spirits, camaraderie, elevated artistry, and extended client bases through referrals. It fosters an abundance mindset that aligns with your values. When you operate from abundance, boundaries are not only set—they’re upheld without guilt or fear. You charge rates that honor your experience and artistry and hold firm to them, knowing that what’s meant for you won’t pass you by. Clients who truly value what you offer will happily pay your rate. And even if they can’t afford you now, they’ll return when they can—and refer you in the meantime.
While I’m speaking from the perspective of a makeup artist and hairstylist, this applies to anyone who’s self-employed, sourcing their own work, and setting their own value in a saturated market. When you view fellow professionals as part of your community, not your competition, you actually expand your opportunities—and become a better version of yourself in the process. Every artist that operates from the abundance mindset-meaning the belief that there is plenty to go around and you will always have enough, even in a saturated market the artist’s business will thrive and there are no needs to “worry “ about the competition.
Real Talk: Fellow Artists Are Your Greatest Resource
In my personal experience, it’s been other artists who’ve helped me check my ego.
“Am I overreacting?”
“Is this rate competitive?”
“What’s your go-to product for this skin type?”
“What do you use for this hair texture?”
Believe it or not, real working artists are often more helpful than a ChatGPT response, a YouTube tutorial by someone who only does makeup on themselves, or spinning your wheels doing the same thing and expecting different results. Fellow artists understand the frustrations—and the good ones are your biggest cheerleaders, tuning your frequency to even greater heights.
Growth Doesn’t Come from Fear
Yes, it’s tempting to live in fear and self-preservation. But that mindset doesn’t breed growth. It doesn’t breed abundance.
Acting from a place of abundance—letting your light shine and basking in the glow of your colleagues’ twinkling stars—is where the real magic lives.
Competition is a Distraction. Community is the Strategy.
Whether you’re a freelance makeup artist, hairstylist, a photographer or some other creative entrepreneur in any saturated industry—the truth holds:
“What’s meant for you
will not pass you.”
Operate from that truth. Collaborate. Refer. Cheer for others. Stay in your lane and shine.
Because when we all shine, the beauty industry becomes richer, kinder, and more powerful—for everyone in it.
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