We were lucky to catch up with Shadara Ingram recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shadara, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

The risk I took was betting on me to succeed, leaving the corporate world and starting a business. I have always known that working corporate or for someone was never really my thing. I don’t mind it at all and I’m not above any of it it’s just that I had bigger and better expectations for myself. I want to live life on my terms to the best of my ability I want to be there for my family and be the best mother to my kids. I know that corporate America doesn’t always allow one to live out that type of lifestyle and that it’s limited and I want unlimited access to this thing called life. I wanted to be able to show up and be present not only for myself but my family it was never about the money it was always the freedom that I was after.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I’m Shadara C. Ingram born and raised in Smithfield, NC and I’m a licensed esthetician. I started in the beauty industry by being a Mary Kay consultant. I learned skin, facial routines and makeup. When I was in that role I use to host pampering parties for 1 hour and sometimes more. In that hour I learned something that changed me. I learned that the women who were coming to these parties that they hardly ever took time out to take care of themselves with a little self care. That information blew my mind because I assumed all women do something for themselves whether it’s getting their nails, a relaxing pedicure,a good massage something, but I found it it’s been months some even years since they took time out for themselves and that was insane to me. I felt the urge to give women an outlet where they could take their capes off and just simply be them. I started hosting women appreciation days it was a 4+ hour event where women came together got pampered, shopped, ate good, told their stories, and ended the day with fun. Just seeing the joy that filled each and everyone of them is what pushed my purpose.
I started doing a lot of wedding makeup and ladies were wanting lashes which was something I did not do. I looked into it because I aim to satisfy my clients needs. After much research and trying to take a class for it I learned you either had to be an esthetician or cosmetologist, so then I looked up schools and the schedule just wouldn’t work with mine and I put it off.
2019 came and when my son started school I knew I had to make a change in my career and that led me back to esthetics I went to the school and signed up that day in September and started in October and I haven’t looked back. While on this journey in school 5 months in COVID 19 struck the world by storm. In March of 2020 the world went on lockdown and school went on pause. During that time I didn’t get discouraged, but instead started learning other assets to build my future I began taking classes online and in person. My first class certification was of course lashes so I could have those brides feeling more confident than ever and my second class was body contouring. Body contouring was actually what I launched first. It took off and the reason behind that is we been on lockdown and everybody had put on weight that they were ready to get off!! School open back in August but two days before our return the school said they had dissolved the program, so we were displaced. Another school heard our story and took us in we started in September and finished in late October. I have been a licensed esthetician since October 2020 and I haven’t looked back I specialize in Brazilian waxing and intimate skincare. I enjoy customizing treatment plans for each client dependent on their needs and concerns.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I started my social media when I started school. I didn’t want to wait until I had everything together I wanted to people to see the process from the very beginning. From me learning to becoming the professional that I am today. The journey the good the bad, the ups and the downs, the end to some chapters and the beginning of others.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

This one is tough because it changed everything about me, my business and my life. I launched Bae Beauty and Esthetics by Dara,LLC in June 2020 business was great I was crushing the goals I had set, so I had to set some more. July goals were set and I was ready to crush those. 12 days into July I got a phone call from the hospital about my father that I needed to get there because his health had taken a turn. I was 3 hours away I had just had my first business weekend at my second location. I was in a drive through zoo with my son so I had to finish that while preparing my mind for this drive. I made it to the hospital at 6 my father took his last breath at 915 my world stopped. I lost my father, best friend, business partner and first love. I honestly didn’t know how I would move forward because at 32 I was now parent less because my mother died when I was 5. I shut everything down for a week yes a week that’s it!!! When I look back that’s exactly where I messed up at I didn’t take time to grieve I just simply kept going because in that moment I felt like if I stopped I would remain there. I guess I did make the right decision but it was and has been by far the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. Only God brought me through and is still keeping my mind, body and soul aligned with my purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.baebydara.com
• Instagram: Bae__beautyandesthetics

Image Credits

Thank you to every client