We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chassidy Mickale. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chassidy below.
Chassidy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Whew, it’s been a journey. It was about ten years ago, I completed undergrad (BS in Fashion Design and Merchandising) and then went on to earn my Cosmetology License. I did not like working in a salon and figured I’d go and get an MBA while I was still young. Though leaving the salon to go to Grad school full time was a joyous occasion, my clients from the salon still wanted my service. I remember working at a group home and starting to do house calls while I was in school. Not knowing that I was stumbling across a major need for women and children. See, growing up, women would spend their Saturdays in the salon all day or it would be late in the evening during the week. We live in a very fast past world and people will spend more in exchange for convivence and time back. I always say, “I’ll get my money back, not my time”; so, I’m extremely tedious when it comes to time. I was freelancing offering hair styling and image consulting services and softly beginning to do makeup. I created my first business card offering these services and it said, “Become Personalize, because it Matters”. After completing Grad school, I still did not want to work in corporate America. I went to start at Macy’s as a counter manager for Dior Beauty. It was the final piece to the pie being able to style my clients from head to toe. After working for Macys for a few years, my freelancing business grew and that need for hairstyling and/or braiding young girls’ hair at their home took over my full-time job.
Growing up with two sisters, my mother specifically made sure we presented our BEST when going out in the world. Working in my clients’ homes and seeing the mental and emotional impact of having your hair done, especially as a black woman/girl, made me realize it was bigger than the service. I wanted women and young girls to be okay with caring and taking time in their appearance. I did not want glam and Personal Maintenace to be a burden due to lack of time. In January of 2016, I became a full-time entrepreneur and launched Your Image Matters LLC in June 2016. Here we are heading into our 8th year of success making our clients personal glam a priority and not an option with hiring me or my #glamcrew to be that expert provider. Being ahead of the curve when the Covid pandemic cancelled beauty services worldwide, YIM LLC was able to elevate even more because we were already providing services in-home. We were not in jeopardy of our salon closing as so many did. I’m extremely thankful to have been in my position.
I am Chassidy Mickale, owner of Your Image Matters LLC and I empower women through beauty enhancement.
Chassidy, 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?
Here’s my bio from my personal brand website, www.chassidymickale.com
Storytime, so I’m not the typical cosmetologist. I completed undergrad first, earning a BS in Apparel Merchandising and Design from Illinois State University ’09. My parents made it very clear that after earning a bachelor’s degree, I could live my best life. In other words, “you have our financial support, as long as you finish college”. I have ALWAYS been a glamour girl. You know the vibes, GLAM is my JAM! Being raised with two sisters, as the middle child, I was the “odd ball”. My sisters are not social butterflies like I am. They are in completely opposite industries, and I was usually with my friends out and about. Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, I come from absolutely amazing and supportive parents that have never suggested another path.
My final requirement for earning my BS was to complete an internship, which I did at the Disney College Program. Working at Disney World as a lifeguard I learned the difference between an EXPERIENCE vs a SERVICE. I know this internship served as a huge impact for how I’ve operated my business to this day. After returning home with my BS, I immediately enrolled in Paul Mitchell the School for Cosmetology and earned my license in 2011. Two of the three masters of my craft have been completed.
I went on to work in a salon for less than a year and I knew I needed to increase my uniqueness. From there, I enrolled at Keller Graduate School for Management and earned an MBA in Marketing ’13. During that time, my clients were happy for me, but still desired my services. I started doing house calls for hair, not knowing that I was filling a desperate need for working moms that wanted to maintain their image but did not have the time to be in a salon. I started servicing moms and word got out that I offered services for children too and my business has grown into this premature empire. With hair services being offered conveniently, my clients started requesting other services like makeup and image consulting. Now that I have completed my MBA, I still did not want to work in Corporate America. My final “job” and final piece to my glam journey was working as a Counter Manager at Macy’s for Dior Beauty. I was now an official fashion designer/image consultant, licensed cosmetologist, and makeup artist with ALL the credentials to back it up!
Although my close relatives are not professional glam artists, I get my style and grace from the beautiful women in my family. My maternal grandmother was a seamstress, and my paternal grandmother has every glitter accessory item ever made, I’m convinced lol. Raising three girls, my mother did not allow us to leave the house any kind of way. Our hair was styled or braided, and we took pride in our appearance. She would say, “Our appearance is our shield of armor before going out into the world and how we carry ourselves is a reflection of the family”. I will always believe this. I love taking pride in myself and showing up my best. These beliefs have carried me thus far and rubbed off on my clients. Over ten years in the industry, and I’m so happy to have followed my dreams that has allowed me to travel and have my work displayed globally.
Representing countless brands on various platforms and sets has allotted me a vast range of expertise that benefits the projected contracts. Clients trust my addiction in mastering my crafts, my work ethic, reliability, adaptability, and efficient ways of problem solving. They are confident in my passion for empowering through beauty enhancement. My passion is not just for my clients, as I am religiously a walking billboard for my brand, Your Image Matters LLC. I have used that same expertise and exploded my personal interest in modeling. Take a moment and check out my portfolio where you get to see my creative direction on all the looks in conjunction with other beauty professionals for some of the hair and makeup. All photos in my portfolio were captured through the lens of @mrblakemartin
When people experience me, Chassidy Mickale, there’s an everlasting effect.
What sets me apart from other artist is my preparedness. I’m addicted to being overly prepared. It’s the controlling part of me, BUT I know I can’t control everything. So, to make sense of it all, if I bring all the supplies and tools I need to get the job done, any areas that arise, I’m not in a panic because I have already “did the most” lol I’m a stickler for my personal LOOK/glam to be on point because I never know when I’m going to meet someone new or be on camera if I’m working on set. My image matters as well as the client and I believe in practicing what I preach.
I’m most proud of my commitment to trying out all of my skills and not being stuck to just one thing, I like to say I’m a “Jill of All Trades; Master of Most” I know that no one can be me or duplicate my craft. I’ve put in the work and obtained the credentials to become a Master Stylist in all thing’s beauty.
I want potential clients to know that my passion for glam and personal empowerment runs deep and regardless of seeing the world working my artistry, I’m still madly in love with what I do and the people.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I had to pivot during the pandemic, like many of us. Though, I was ahead of the curve providing my beauty concierge services, I was no longer on tour as a Platform Artist for a haircare company. from 2013 to March 2020, I would travel at least twice per month (march- August each yr) locally and overseas providing hair demos/education on different platforms showing consumers how to achieve hairstyles using that haircare company’s product. This opportunity allowed my work and expertise to be seen worldwide. In March 2020, the world closed and immediately the tour was cancelled due to the unknown. That was a major financial hit, and I was stressing, but thankfully I’ve always been pretty innovative. I started working for other brands and consulting during the live streams and offered virtual tutorials to my clients. I was able to sustain my business and get back to operating full time once the world opened. As an entrepreneur, its essential to be able to pivot. You cannot get stuck in your ways because things change often, especially in the beauty industry. Three years later and the world is slightly back to a normal, but those shows, and platform opportunities have shifted. Now brands are seeking influencers and artistic/ creative directors for content. With me being able to pivot and stay knowledgeable on trends, I was able to land a new contract with a haircare company. I am the Artistic Ambassador for TGIN (Thank God It’s Natural) and back to traveling the world doing what I love.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
We are constantly hearing the success of social media, and yes, it’s very possible, BUT word-of-mouth STILL wins the marketing race for my business. Because my business is a beauty concierge service, it’s almost like a secret society, I would only take referrals for safety precautions, and I only wanted to work with a certain clientele who appreciated a luxury glam service. My clients know that I will show up, overly prepared, professional, on-time, and ready to provide their service and then leave respectfully. I communicate when I am on my way, and I make paying the invoice convenient. I get all of this done while showing up with my personal appearance on trend, clean, and professional. People want an experience; a service is forgettable, and I know how to provide that down to having an extension cord and hair towels. Remember, people talk about bad experiences before the good; unfortunately. So be the good!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chassidymickale.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chassidymickale
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChassidyMickale
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chassidy-mickale
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/chassidymickale
Image Credits
Blake Martin, Eric Rosas, Alex Girav, Allen Cooley