We were lucky to catch up with Nachaye (Pep) Blanks (B.) recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nachaye (Pep), looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Taking risks are apart of getting ahead in life. Nothing worth having comes easily, you must put in your blood sweat and tears to reach heights you’ve never been to.

In March of 2022, I gave up my past life for a new one. I moved to Dallas, TX from Detroit, MI with my daughter to reach a dream of building my career and a healthier lifestyle. It wasn’t easy because I was attending beauty school at the time for my cosmetology license, but I wasn’t happy because my passion was skincare. I also had an established lifestyle with having my own house, my own cars, friendships, and family. In 2020, I started a skincare/bodycare business in Detroit and was very successful. I made many connections through networking at pop up shops which helped me become apart of my community in a more beneficial way. My dream was beginning to grow over a small period of time and it was hard to let it all go to start over. God put it on my heart so fast it was hard to really prepare. I sold everything I owned. I gave my key back to my landlord after 5 years of being a tenant. I withdrew from beauty school. I said goodbye to my friends and family. The hardest part was when reality hit that I was being dropped off at the airport with my at the time 3 year old daughter. I didn’t think I could do this but I went anyways because my faith was bigger.

Starting in April, me and my daughter lived in a Extended Stay in North Dallas Area for 4 months. I was already enrolled at Aveda Institute of Arts & Sciences for Esthetics to become a esthetician and didn’t start until July. In those 4 months, I learned and seen a lot happen. My first week in Dallas I was able to land a job at Wholefoods Market at Park Lane as a prepared foods team member. I loved my job and I enjoyed the people I worked with. I caught the train and bus with my baby at 4am Monday-Saturday to take my baby across town to her daycare, it took 2 hours to get there. I then would take the bus and train to work which took me 2 1/2 hours to get to on time and work full shifts with overtime. I was tired a lot of days but I kept pushing. I became extremely close with the lady who drove the bus on my route and she was very nice to me and my daughter. She eventually started to help us when we needed to get back and forth to where we were going. We kept in touch daily rather she seen me or didn’t.

The end of June came and it was almost time to start school. That week I was going through some very rough things prior to. I couldn’t afford the cost of the hotel any longer so me and my little one had to go to a shelter for a small period of time. In that moment I felt low. I felt like a bad parent. But my faith grew because I knew that it’s wouldn’t last forever. After working a few shifts I was able to get money to get a hotel for a few days. I reached out to a few of the people I met and knew they could help me find a nice shelter for me and my daughter to go to that wasn’t as dangerous. One of the people I reached out to was the lady that drove the bus. We began to talk after reaching out about a shelter recommendation and she offered to come and get me and yaya so we could have somewhere to go until I had enough money to get a hotel for some time.

Fast forward I had enough money to go to a hotel and she offered for us to stay with her in her 1 bedroom apartment. I cried. I felt relief, but I was scared to take the offer. I was very overwhelmed but full of pride as a parent. I took the offer. She was very, very kind and bought things for us that we needed. We didn’t go without food. She made us feel welcome with open arms and didn’t treat me like a stranger, I attended school while living with her and raising my daughter. I am still in school I graduate January 20th to become a esthetician. She pushed me and helped in the times I felt like giving up. I trusted her with my child and my life. God blessed me in all that I been through here in Dallas. I came out stronger than I came. Taking a risk got me this far to my dream of becoming a esthetician. My dream of building generational wealth for my child and her children and so on. I didn’t let anything stop me from reaching my goals.

Nachaye (Pep), love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Nachaye Blanks but I go by Pep B. Currently, I am a entrepreneur, esthetician, and makeup artist. The beauty industry has had me in a chokehold since I was 20 years old. Skincare and makeup has always caught my attention as a little girl because my mother always used a variety of products for her skin and hair. In 2020, I decided during a Covid layoff to start my own skincare/bodycare business. I began attending pop up shops, networking events, and community parks to market my brand and my products.

In 2021, I began attending cosmetology school because I wanted to learn more about the skin and body. I realized that wasn’t the right decision to make because cosmetology was more so about hair but you could also work with skin the focus wasn’t just skin. I decided to withdraw from cosmetology school and attend esthetics school to learn more about skin. My focus in esthetics are facials, facial massage, body facials, waxing and makeup for all skin types and colors. I work with oily, dry, acneic, and hyperpigmented skin which I am currently being certified in the area of acneic skin due to me suffering with pcos acne. What I am most proud of is my determination. What sets me apart is my passion and drive for what I believe in. I truly admire humans and how the skin works. I want to help inspire people, but I want to give people hope in their body and skin. My goal is to learn more about mental health and wellness because my brand is built on those two areas.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Having a can-do attitude is very Important in the beauty industry. You have to learn that even if you can’t do it, you know someone who can which is solving the solution to you not being able to do it. Having passion for what you do is the biggest characteristic you can have because it shows in your work and how you handle your clientele.

Quality of Quantity is a strong rule to stand on because if your services exceed the amount of money being paid, the word of mouth increase as well as tip percentage. It’s important to provide a flawless service because this keeps you connected in your industry.

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

Being myself. I strive to be myself 8n every area of my life but I know how to switch hats and conduct myself in a manner that is acceptable. I’m very professional, but I am also a neutral person. People love a person the6 can relate to or talk to.

I am knowledgeable in my industry and the products that I use. I enjoy being able to educate my audience and my clients. I’m willing to give. I think giving is very important especially when it comes to your community and your clientele. As service providers we always take but we never give back to the clientele for supporting us.

Contact Info:

• Website: NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON.
• Instagram: @pinkpepperesthetics
• Facebook: Pep Blansario
• Youtube: @pinkpepperesthetics
• Other: Feel free to email us [email protected]