Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gabriel McPherson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Gabriel, thanks for joining us today. One of the toughest parts of scaling a business is maintaining quality as you grow. How have you managed to maintain quality? Any stories or advice?

The main key to a quality business is being authentic. You attract not quantity, but quality this way. Quantity only makes you look good while quality ensures that you’ll stay good.

As a consumer, I look for quality in a business and a business owner. Quality products, cleanliness, customer service and marketing are some things that will attract me. When the person or group behind a business is genuinely themself, whether that’s through IG Lives, Tutorial Voiceovers, or Personal Vlogs, I tend to feel way more connected to not just the products I purchase but the brand as a whole. That’s what will encourage me to continuously support.

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?

My name is Gabriel McPherson and I am a Licensed Esthetician in the State of New York. I’d prefer to be called Gabbii or GG for short actually. Gabriel sounds like I’m being called to the principal’s office. I’m a DC native with a Guyanese background so my tongue is pretty tied up.

I was born into the beauty industry as both of my parents are Licensed Cosmetologist. My parents owned Portfolio Hair Salon in Washington, DC on 14th and U street where I spent a grand amount of time assisting or playing dollhouse with the mannequins. I’ve seen what being a business owner entailed from young and let me tell you it is not easy. Being a hairstylist wasn’t my passion though.

I moved away from home to South Florida where I attended Broward College in 2014 for my second college degree. I remember working 3 jobs, school full-time and an internship as a Pharmacy Technician. I’ve witnessed jobs fire workers for attending their grandparents funeral and others for not being able to find a babysitter for a newborn child. The way a lot of these big time companies operate was not how I’d run mine. I also didn’t want to work for anyone all my life. I listed all things that I already liked doing and wasn’t typical that can produce an income.

I was certified as a Lash Technician by Shaquilla Weekes, L.E. April 2, 2016 from S3 Beauty Spa. She was my Lash Technician at the time and I was actually her first student once she graduated. I came up with Lash Struck June 14, 2016 and practiced on models as much as I could ever since. The rest is history.

Fast forward today, I am a now a Licensed Esthetician, Lash Technician, Permanent Makeup Artist and a Registered Paralegal in the State of Florida and New York. I provide services such as eyelash extensions, body waxing, ombré brows, and skin care. After graduating from Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics in May 2021, I created The Fountain of Skn, LLC.

I believe what sets me a part from others is that I’m God fearing and I’m always myself. In this industry there are a lot of clout chasers, greedy, envious, pretensive people and individuals who are just not in the business for longevity purposes. One thing that I’m proud of myself the most is my resilience. Everything I said I wanted to do came to past. The rate at which it did is what still amazes me with all praise to the most high.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I worked dead man hours all the time. I always had at least two jobs. As I got a bit older and I slowed down on the partying a lot but realized how drained I still would be coming home. It was to a point where I didn’t have time for myself. I didn’t have any “Me” time anymore. My dad taught me I had to work hard at everything I do and that nothing in life is for free. I beg to differ. It’s about working smart, not hard. You cannot give your all to everyone and everything else. You still need you at the end of the day and working hard wasn’t going to allow me any “Me” time. Working smart did. That’s how I was able to get back to myself so that I can be good for everyone else. It’s not hard. Life is pretty simple if we don’t complicate it and are in tune with the universe.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

I was a Team Lead Paralegal for a Foreclosure Firm and handled Strict Foreclosure, Code Violations, Title, Audit, Federal, Replevin cases, creating templates, you name it! I handled it. Call me Olivia Pope Jr! However, I was stressed all the time. The dependency became real. I wanted to still do my own thing and realized that I didn’t want to be a lawyer. Being on my own was the scariest decision I made. It was life changing actually. I honestly did the math and gave myself a deadline to resign to fulfill my 5 year plan. Once my resignation letter was sent it was just up from there. I saved my money for my tuition, books, and stuff and finished Esthetiques school.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/gg.banks_
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/gg.banks_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GGBanks_
• Other: https://instagram.com/thefountainofskn?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=