We recently connected with Chantel Marie and have shared our conversation below.

Chantel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

Black Moon Beauty Co. stemmed from a little 110 sq ft private suite known as “Black Moon Studio”. I spent 4 years of my career in the private studio with a plan for something bigger….much bigger. 2,967 sq ft to be exact BIGGER.

During those 4 years I experienced what was the most challenging part of my career thus far both personally as well as professionally…… A pandemic. The dreaded “C” word that nobody speaks of. My studio was shut down for a total of 8 weeks. During those 8 weeks I spent a whole lot of time with my son, enjoying the beautiful weather & the most intimate quality time. After a couple of weeks living in the “unknown”, I started to panic a bit. Not knowing how to protect the health of my son, myself, & my clients. Not knowing when I would be able to open the studio back up. Not knowing how the new regulations would affect business. Not knowing if my industry would ever recover.

But we did. A year after we were able to reopen, the plan got set in motion. I started looking for a space, and happened to find it while just cruising through some shopping centers on a day off. After meeting with the owner of the company as well as multiple contractors….I was handed the keys. July of 2022. And that’s when Black Moon Beauty Co. started to come to life.

We spent countless weeks in the space remodeling to create the vision that I had for years. The term “blood, sweat, & tears” could not be a more literal description for the remodel process. I am proud to have worked side by side with everyone throughout the construction process while still running my private studio. The nails got taken off & the hair was tied up for weeks with no end in sight. But after quite a few longgggggg weeks…..we did it. Something I’ve always dreamed of was owning my own shop & mentoring women in the industry. And that is exactly whats been done & is currently in motion.

Black Moon Beauty Co. is currently occupied with 8 small business owners which are all successful young women.

Chantel, 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?

For those that are not familiar with my back story…here it goes.

I swear from birth I was made to be in the beauty industry. The typical cutting my Barbie’s hair as well as finger painting my face with anyone’s make up I could get my hands on. It was just naturally who I have always been.

I graduated from Paul Mitchell the School of Murfreesboro at the top of my class in the Phase II program back in 2011 a month before giving birth to my son. Yes….9 months pregnant in hair school & I was the crazy one still wearing heels every day. Nothing was going to stop me from pursuing my dreams.

I have had the pleasure of working on music video sets, behind the scenes for major artists during photo shoots, organized & coordinated a runway show including all of the hair, make up, & wardrobe, been a published magazine cover model. I have also had the luxury to travel to the most incredible places for advanced trainings as well as seminars including some of the top artists in the industry all over the world.

I could go on & on & on about the journey. It has honestly been the second most incredible thing to ever happen to me. Aside from becoming a mother.

Currently I am still behind the chair after a decade. Offering multiple hair services, eyelash extensions, permanent cosmetics such as: microblading, eyeliner, lip blushing, and freckles.

Black Moon Beauty Co. is steadily growing and we hope to offer the community even more aesthetic, wellness, and beauty services in the very near future.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

One thing that I personally believe has helped me build my “brand” is me. I stand true to being 100% authentic no matter what that looks like for the day.

I strive to be fully transparent with everyone I cross in business. Whether it be my clients, family, other business owners, etc. I take much pride in knowing that I leave my mark wherever I go.

When I started in this industry I was just doing hair. I have proudly expanded from hair to lash extensions to permanent cosmetics to mentorship’s. Being 100% authentic is the only way to continue to be successful in every aspect of my business.

I also believe a giant part of “success” whether it be personal or in business is: always being a student. 10 years into my career & I spend a decent amount of time continuing my education. It is also a great pleasure to learn from my self made boss babes that I work beside as well.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

re·sil·ience /rəˈzilēəns/
noun
1. the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
“the remarkable resilience of so many institutions”
2. the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity.

^^^^ truly should be my middle name. My greatest & worst attribute for sure.

I went into this dream on my own. Fresh out of a divorce. No business partner. Just me & my crazy idea of climbing all the way to the top. Being resilient has been such a blessing throughout this journey because I believe most people would fold like a lawn chair under some of the pressure I have experienced. ESPECIALLY ripping up & relaying 876 floor tiles until 4am by myself. And that’s just one small example of how I slowly started to lose my mind in that building.

That night specifically will replay in my brain ever so often. On my hands & knees, sweat pouring down my face, hands blistered….and I just kept saying “do it for you….just don’t ever stop. Do it for you.” I found myself rebuilding the parts of me that were broken by repairing a building that was going to carry on a legacy of resilient, independent, empathetic, & most of all: self made successful women.

Today I take pride in my resilience. I did it for me. I did it for my son. I did it for my business. I did it for the women who have a difficult time believing in themselves.

If I have inspired just ONE woman to take a leap of faith…..it was all worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.blackmoonhairstudio.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/black.moon.beauty.co
• Facebook: Facebook.com/blackmoonhairstudio