We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful AnnaBeth Guillory. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with AnnaBeth below.

AnnaBeth, appreciate you joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

Initially, I had a different name in mind, which joined parts of my two daughters’ names. I thought of that because the whole goal of BeautyFindr is to connect people – the Beauty Professional and Client.

Then I pivoted once I was encouraged to find a name that describes what the app actually does thus making the app easier to be found on the app stores or Google. So, I brainstormed and wrote down all the words that describes what it does, I searched my top 3 names to ensure they were not already taken, and then ultimately decided on BeautyFindr. I like BeautyFindr because it is still two words connected, gives an idea of what it does, and we deliberately dropped the “e” in findr to make it unique.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

More than eight years ago, a friend of mine and I opened Blush Beauty and Blowdry Bar in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Being a salon owner and consumer of the beauty industry, I saw a need to make it easier to connect the client and the professional especially if it’s last minute.

As a salon owner, I saw how hard it is to get your business in front of a larger audience, especially with a limited marketing budget. I also have seen how hard it is to fill last minute cancelations.

As a consumer, I experienced a beauty emergency the day of my maternity pictures and gender reveal party when the stylist canceled right before my hair and makeup appointments. I was literally in the parking lot. I remember thinking with there being over 27,000 beauty professionals in the state of Louisiana, why is it not easier? As a salon owner, I soon realized I wasn’t alone when brides would call Blush in tears same week or same day saying their stylist canceled on them too.

All of this led me to creating the BeautyFindr app which is the fastest way to request services from top beauty experts whether it is an emergency or just another day, while helping talented beauty professionals build thriving business by connecting them to ready-to-book clients.

The app is free to the client requesting the service and intended for the client to go to the business for the service; but clients can request that the beauty professional go on location.

What sets BeautyFindr apart from other beauty booking apps is instead of the client having to spend their time scrolling through professionals’ profiles and schedules to book a beauty service, the client can just simply submit a service request that then notifies a large network of beauty experts. Available professionals can then choose to make an offer to the client who then selects which professional to they want to book with. BeautyFindr is also unique in that it is the ONLY beauty app with the SOS “urgent” request feature, specifically designed for beauty emergencies.

BeautyFindr launched in March of 2024 in the greater Baton Rouge area and in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In three short months, we have surpassed 1,000 users on the platform and received over 200 unique service requests. BeautyFindr has increased revenue and clientele for professionals and businesses. We continue to hear how easy it is to make a service request and immediately you receive offers from the professionals. Clients requesting services using BeautyFindr have said, This is a luxury I didn’t know I needed and how has this not existed sooner! I continue to hear how clients are highly satisfied with their service experience. As the creator of BeautyFindr, it brings me so much joy to hear how BeautyFindr has already impacted so many lives and I am excited to expand in new markets.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Having a multiprong approach has been most effective for growing my clientele. Since BeautyFindr is a marketplace app, I had to have a plan to get both the beauty professional and the client requesting services to engage on the app. Boots on the ground has been the most effective strategy to get the professionals signed up. Initially I went from business to businesses, dropping off information on BeautyFindr, and then scheduling follow up meetings. I did this over a three-month period. This strategy paid off. When I launched 30 businesses were onboard and in the next two months, I more than doubled that. Social media and word of mouth has helped with continual growth of the professionals.

As far as growing clients requesting services, the most effective strategies have been PR, boots on the ground, and having a strong online presence. I was fortunate that a local news station, WBRZ and InRegister magazine featured BeautyFindr during the first month of launching. Before launching, I really honed in on who my ideal user on the app would be. From there, I set up a series of speaking opportunities to get in front those individuals and found that to be very successful.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

In addition, to working in the beauty industry for 8 years, I have also worked in the health care industry for more than 15 years. Being in both industries has allowed me to grow a large and diverse network. Launching BeautyFindr where I grew up, live, and own a salon is extremely helpful because of the relationship I have built within my community. Continually connecting with the professionals and clients directly, seeking feedback and following up on any concerns has helped me to keep a good rapport and grow BeautyFindr.

Having the support of my alumni and local university as well as local businesses has had a direct impact on BeautyFindr. From providing me the opportunity to give app QR code cards to their customers to hanging a banner in front of their business to inviting me to come speak with their customers, I could not have done it without community support. I must give a shout out to ZAZA Nail Boutique in Baton Rouge who has been one of my biggest supporters and to last fall’s LSU’s MBA students who helped me with a “go to” market strategy and competitive analysis. I am so incredibly grateful for the love my local community has already shown me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://BeautyFindr.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautyfindrapp/?igsh=bGMwZTFhbm92czY2&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554393107537&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabeth-scarle-guillory-07849112
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@BeautyFindr
• Other: TikTok – https://apps.apple.com/us/app/beautyfindr/id6478934325

Image Credits

Images by Kim Meadowlark & Sean Gasser