How Dawn Maloney Begins Her Workday

My day at Dawn Til Dusk Cosmetics and MakeupClasses.com starts before the sun even thinks about rising. By 5 a.m., I’m already up most days, cleaning, decluttering, and organizing my home, paperwork, and workspace so everything feels fresh, clear, and intentional. That early reset sets the tone. I jump into the shower and go through my full beauty routine: hair, makeup, and nails. I almost always wash my hair because showing up polished matters in my world. Then it’s laundry maintenance and getting dressed.

With coffee in hand and a simple breakfast, I prep healthy snacks or lunch for later, making sure I’m fueled for the long hours ahead. Sometimes I cook the day’s meal or bake a loaf of bread.

Before diving fully into work, I carve out a few minutes for light exercise and stretching. Nothing intense, just enough to wake up my body and mind. Then I sit down with The Wall Street Journal, scanning for business ideas, trends, and inspiration. From there, it’s straight into emails: reading, responding, and following up with clients. I might draft a blog, edit my latest book, or switch gears into a meeting with my husband where we go over inventory, accounting, and the numbers that keep everything running. Payroll gets tracked, systems get checked, and there’s always something that needs attention.

Social media is non-negotiable, so I make time to post, share stories, and stay connected with my audience. Some mornings, I’ll squeeze in a few errands, like getting my car washed or shopping for what’s needed before heading to the shop, making every minute count. By the time 10:30 a.m. rolls around, I’ve already put in what feels like a full day’s work, and it’s only the beginning.

It’s exhausting, no doubt about it, but I’m moving the needle every single day. This is what being an entrepreneur looks like: early mornings, constant motion, and relentless focus. I’m building something bigger than comfort, and I truly believe one thing: I will outwork my competition.