We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dria Ashley . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dria below.

Hi Dria, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I came up with the idea of ‘The Glamroom SC’ at the beginning of 2022. Prior to that I had been using ‘Dria the Glam Guru’. I’m a Licensed Nail Tech, Lash Tech, MUA, & Brow Specialist. I wanted to create something that would be able to tie my brand together as a whole. I offer a variety of services and didn’t want to just put myself into one category. Prior to me branching off on my own at the beginning of this year, I was a freelance nail tech at a local nail salon. I worked as a tech for 3 years and managed for 2 years. In my last year of working at the salon I attended and graduated an esthetics program. I loved working at the nail salon and met some amazing people; I just knew I wanted to expand my career and service list. Initially I was very nervous about being on my own. The biggest thing for me was switching over to an appointment only schedule. In the nail salon I accepted walk-ins as well as appointments. Being that it would now just be me working alone I thought it’d be best to eliminate the walk-in option. I definitely feel like one thing that makes me & ‘The Glamroom SC’ unique is that I offer a variety of services. Combination Services are a growing thing in the industry. People like the convenience of getting at least 2 services done at the same location.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Dria THE ‘Glam Guru’. I’m a Licensed Nail Technician, Lash Technician, MUA, & Certified PMUA/Brow Artist. I’ve always been intrigued by the cosmetic and beauty industry. My mother was a Licensed Cosmetologist and owned her own salon for 15 years. Being around her definitely influenced me as an artist. As a little girl I loved painting nails and applying press- ons. I wasn’t allowed to wear acrylic nails when I was in elementary, but I did have a classmate that was. I did my first full-set in 5th grade. One of my classmates got a ‘Kiss Acrylic Set’ as gift and asked me to do her nails. In high school I found interest in makeup. I would charge my classmates $35 for a “beat”. After I graduated high school I wasn’t really focused on makeup but more so nails. I began my professional journey as a licensed nail tech after I graduated from Nail Technology in 2018. I worked for 3 years at a local nail salon. In my last year at the salon I decided to get into Esthetics. I graduated my esthetician program in 2021. During my time in school I focused on makeup and lash extensions. These are 2 of my favorite services that I offer now. One thing I love about being in the beauty industry is being able to make people feel good. Self care is very important and we all need time for ourselves to be pampered. I love being able to bring my clients glam dreams to reality! Something I’m most proud of is my growth and knowledge as a business professional. As well as my growth as an artist. I take every day as a learning experience. I’m so happy with how far I’ve come and I’m even more excited to see what God has in store for me.

Have you ever had to pivot?

A time in my life when I had to pivot would be when I found out I was having twins. I was fresh into my career and just getting started as a licensed professional. I wondered how I was going to handle being a mom and a business woman. I went through trying times but it definitely helped mold me into the person I am today.

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

A lesson a had to unlearn is that “problems are bad”. All problems aren’t necessarily bad. I’ve learned that some problems are good. They force us to level up and use critical thinking to see how to get the outcome we envision. With any industry you’ll face certain situations that are meant to test you. All of these things in some way shape us and add to our end goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.styleseat.com/m/v/driaashley
• Instagram: @theglamroom_sc
• Facebook: The Glamroom SC
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCuJwTE7K5jDvU-8qrElfTeQ

Image Credits
@theglamroom_sc