BY J.M. LEE
Harp has been obsessed with hair and make-up. Her grandmother did her hair in elaborate, ribbon-braided pigtails as a child and dressed her in the frilliest dresses. As a teenager, she would read fashion magazines inspired by make-up artist Kevin Aucoin’s work with celebrities. Daily, she would read his book from cover to cover. Today, she has been living her dream for the last 15 years of making women feel beautiful.
Thus, Harp and associates founded Pink Orchid Studio in 2008, a team of elite bridal hair and make-up artists specializing in transforming women to look glamorous. Then came countless requests for them to teach their craft.
Harp leads by example. Today, their company thrives from their unwavering dedication to clients—servicing and empowering students.
“Stay true to your values and beliefs; if tough times come, never hesitate to ask for help. You cannot wear all hats when running a business.”
“This fuelled us to launch the Pink Orchid Academy in 2011,” she conveys. “It has become the largest South Asian hair and make-up academy in Canada. They have had the immense privilege to travel across the world to #pink our amazing clients and teach the art form to our students. We also expanded by launching Pink Orchid Studio Cosmetics in 2013, which includes beauty products such as eyelashes, eyeliner, lip liner, etc. Recently, I founded Harper Living, a blog for my followers to unwind, learn new recipes, get a glimpse into my home life, and leave feeling refreshed!”
Harp leads by example. Today, their company thrives from their unwavering dedication to clients—servicing and empowering students.
“Stay true to your values and beliefs; if tough times come, never hesitate to ask for help. You cannot wear all hats when running a business.”
Many women have inspired Harp. Her friend and mentor Karen Dosanjh taught her to never give up, speak up for what she believes in, and empower other women.
“Creating a space for underrepresented groups such as fellow women, people of color, and marginalized individuals—is our responsibility. Our business is unique because we get to sit face-to-face with our clients, hear their stories, and learn from their experiences. Supporting BIPOC female-owned businesses is our top priority.”
“I view industry peers as colleagues, not competition. Seeing the passion in the eyes of our students reignites my childhood desires. The old Arabic saying, ‘Throw your heart out in front of you and run to catch it,’ becomes my mantra. The only way to determine the outcome of anything you do is by taking that leap of faith. I’ve lost a lot of money and time investing in my dreams. Yet I would do it again to learn many valuable lessons which propelled my goals and dreams. You’ll overcome obstacles with persistence, perseverance, and a positive attitude! Open communication and willingness to learn are also important. Ultimately, for us at Pink Orchid Studio Academy, a successful mentoring relationship is when our students can walk away feeling confident to take on clients and start their careers.”
When Pink Orchid Studio expanded, her leadership facilitated the experience of running the business. “The hair and make-up industry is predominantly female. I often collaborate with men within the wedding industry and feel they are respectful and willing to work together to achieve a common goal. Now, we employ and welcome any gender or ethnicity to our team.”
Harp has a supportive family. She and her husband create a plan for their children’s school and sports activities. “With my busy schedule, Manager Emma is remarkable for keeping me accountable on schedule and ensuring that our company runs smoothly. My friends understood that I’m a seasonal friend due to the demands of my job, and it’s a small price to pay for having my dream career.”
To the younger generation of women who dream of becoming future leaders: “The road to success and happiness is difficult but worth it. Focus on your end goal. It isn’t over if it hasn’t worked out. Work hard and make your dream a reality.”
Inclusion is crucial, and Harp is quite aware of it. “Creating a space for underrepresented groups such as fellow women, people of color, and marginalized individuals—is our responsibility. Our business is unique because we get to sit face-to-face with our clients, hear their stories, and learn from their experiences. Supporting BIPOC female-owned businesses is our top priority.”
Harp wants to pay tribute to her mother, remembering how she worked for her children. “She instilled in me the value of having a solid work ethic and managing a household,” Harp affirms. “Mom handles herself with such poise and grace. I immensely appreciate how she held everything together and never complained about it. I am fortunate to have grown up around a network of strong women comprising my mastis (aunts) and my Bebe (grandmother). They have always uplifted me and encouraged me to keep going and to push further. I cherish them all. And becoming a mother myself brought so much change to my life. I cherish the fulfillment my two boys give me. I love getting to see the world through their eyes and being able to give them opportunities that I may not have had. I’m extremely thankful for both my mom and my mother-in-law. They’re my rocks and counsel. I can’t thank them enough.”
