Fabulous People: Ketonya Banskton

Ketonya Banskton is a professional/celebrity makeup artist and founder of Style Stalkers. From a small town in Arizona, Ketonya has become a fabulous female entrepreneur who travels all over the country sharing her talent.

Hometown: Winslow, Arizona

First job: My first job was when I was a Sophomore in high school. I worked the drive-thru for Taco Bell for a total of 2 weeks before I knew that discovered that the fast food industry was not for me!

Favorite AZ restaurant: My absolute favorite AZ Restaurant is called the Root Beer Stand! It’s located in my home town in Winslow, AZ and there’s nothing like it. They have the best chillie fries with cheese and everything else on the menu is delicious as well. They need to be featured on the Food Network.

Person who has impacted your life the most: My late mother Sandra Mattox has had the most impact on my life. She passed away at the tender at of 34 years old and I was only 12. However, she instilled so much in me about being a woman of God, morals, values, fashion, beauty, hair, modeling, how to be an independent woman and about life in general. All these years later, I still live by the principals taught to me by my mother.

Your biggest accomplishment in your eyes: Besides giving birth to my beautiful daughter Milan, and blessed with my King/husband Michael, my biggest accomplishment was earning an academic scholarship and graduating with my degree in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Advertising from Northern Arizona University (NAU). No one can take my education away from me!

The biggest obstacle you have overcome: One of the biggest obstacles I have overcome was having very little confidence in my self and self image. Being in the modeling industry for over 20 years has been challenging in itself. When you’re around in shape beautiful people all of the time, you tend to have less confidence because you feel as though you’re pretty enough or skinny enough. After 40 years of living and learning, I have finally grown to love myself just as I am.
Someone who inspires you and why: Iman (one of the 1st Black Super Models) inspires me. Iman came from Somalia as a teenage girl and desired a better life. She not only accomplished a better life, but managed to become one of the world’s most famous models including building a successful cosmetic company for all women.

Favorite quote: “I will never leave you nor forsake you!” Hebrews 13:5 (a direct quote from God Himself)

Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: My advice to someone pursing a career in modeling or makeup is to invest in yourself, perfect your craft, believe in yourself and NEVER give up or give in!

What makes someone fabulous: Confidence make a person FABULOUS!