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

Breanna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

The key to success in anything in life is building relationships, effective communication, and creativity. By having connections with others, and creating a network of people who you can rely on and vise versa, it enables everyone to grow and/or benefit. Everyone has a different set of skills, knowledge, experience, and expertise. By sharing what we know and are able to give, we not only expand our network of people we can trust, but we build a reputation for being someone others can come to when needed as well. Effective communication is incredibly important in maintaining the relationships you build. On the road to success, there are many wins as well as lessons. Using creative solutions to overcome the challenging times, and reaching out to your network of relationships will be the biggest factors in your success.

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 started my career in Northern California at 17, knowing from a young age I wanted to be in the beauty industry. I pushed myself to graduate high school a year early so I could start on my career path. I was fascinated by my industry and wanted to explore every avenue of it. Within the first 2 years of being licensed, I was Redken certified and had extensive training and education with multiple brands. After 5 years of working in a salon, I decided to go back for my Instructors certification for Cosmetology.
By the age of 25 I was the full time core instructor at a Cosmetology school in Northern California. I had our students at 100% pass rate making us the highest passing school in Northern California. After teaching for almost 4 years, I was given the opportunity to train as an educator for Matrix. These positions provided tons of education and opportunities for growth in my career. After leaving the education field, I was made assistant manager of the McClellan AFB salon. It was an honor serving those who serve our country.

In 2015 my children and I moved back to Southern California. This transition meant rebuilding my entire career in another city. I became a product rep for Wella and provided a mobile salon service, but I was longing for connection in my industry. In 2016 I decided to go back to school for Master Makeup Artistry. I had been doing bridal makeup for years, but wanted to expand on my special effects, body painting, editorial, film, and commercial makeup skills. I made incredible connections while in school, and my network started expanding. These connections helped introduce me to the Fashion Week San Diego team, where I have been a makeup artists for the last 6 years.

Once I was done with my makeup certification, I started managing and helped expand a mobile barbershop/salon. Within a year and a half I helped grow their business from 6 stylists, 12 locations in 1 city, to 18 stylists & barbers, 26 locations in 2 cities. I produced the numbers in sales and services to secure a $400,000 deal for the company as well. Upon separating from the company, I decided to open my own salon suite in the heart of Del Mar, CA.

In January 2020 I opened Breanna Rae Beauty Bar, providing haircuts for men and women, haircoloring, makeup, and extension services. Unfortunately there was no way of knowing the pandemic was going to hit our industry 2 months later and I would not be able to use my newly built salon suite. Thankfully I opened my suite with a wonderful company and I was incredibly fortunate to have a spot to come back to upon reopening. I’m so incredibly grateful for all of my clients, friends, and family who have and continue to support my business.

During the pandemic I had plenty of time on my hands. It had been a dream of mine to have an agency where I could connect high caliber hair and makeup artists with upscale clientele for weddings, photoshoots, runway, editorial, commercial, and film work. So I decided to turn another dream into a reality and created Destination Beauty Experts. I traveled to 7 cities looking for the best of the best to start building my team of artists. I not only found amazing artists, but incredible business professionals along the way. In September 2021, Destination Beauty Experts launched.

While building my second business, I was selected as one of four makeup artists to compete at Sotheby’s in Manhattan, in a competition put on by Sotheby’s in conjunction with The Art Renewal Center and Fashion Week San Diego. In July 2021 I flew to New York for one of the most exciting times in my career. The voting for the competition stayed open for a month after competing, and winners were announced in October 2021. My team won 1st and 3rd place!

My career has taken me to amazing places. It has created a world of beauty for me and breathed life back into me during dark times. I’m incredibly grateful to have been called to be a part of this industry. Its an honor to connect with others through my passion and profession.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

There are multiple contributing factors that have gone into building my reputation. Having over 20 years of experience in my craft and customer service, teaching Cosmetology, and continuously attending ongoing education have all played a huge role in developing who I am within my field and what my businesses stand for. Treat people with kindness and respect. Stand firm in what you believe is right, but always remain professional. Connection and building relationships is everything. And practice your craft daily.

I treat my clients just as I would a friend or family member. I’m given the privilege of spending sometimes hours with someone, getting to know all about their lives. I get to meet their families and friends on their wedding day, witness their families grow as they come in every 4 weeks for a haircut, and be included in their greatest joys and sorrows. It’s an honor to have the career that I do, and I hope this love and passion for what I do radiates to everyone I engage with.

The beauty industry is also much smaller than most of us think. I’ve come across stylists I’ve met in the past, and never would have imagined I’d be working with them in a completely different city years later. I’ve had many scenarios where one artist or hairstylist knows another or they know someone who knows them. Your reputation in this industry will follow you. Treat your fellow artists and stylists with kindness and respect. Building your network is essential to your survival in any industry. The level of professionalism, attitude, and your reputation are what help build that network.

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

Word of mouth can be the most effective strategy for growth. When a client loves their hair and/or makeup, they are usually inclined to share their experience with their family and friends. Creating referral incentives for your existing clients is a great way to boost word of mouth.

This strategy is so powerful, it can make or break your business. A happy client is bound to tell 1-3 people about their experience, whereas an unhappy client will tell at least 10 people. Creating a clean and relaxing service along with having refined technical skills and attitude, can set the tone for a great experience for your clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.breannaraebeautybar.com and www.destinationbeautyexperts.com
• Instagram: @breannarae_beautybar and @destinationbeautyexperts
• Facebook: Breanna Rae Beauty Bar and Destination Beauty Experts
• Other: Pinterest: Destination Beauty Experts

Image Credits
656 Photography Allie Marion Photo Erin Evangeline Photography