We were lucky to catch up with Grace Bors recently and have shared our conversation below.
Grace, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
One year ago my life looked very different. I was engaged to a man who made me cry more than laugh, I was isolated from the people that made me happiest, and I worked at a job without benefits and no possibility of growth. I settled for this life; I thought I was meant to live in mediocrity.
But one day, a fight with my soon-to-be husband went too far. The moment he put his hands on me in anger was the day something snapped within me. All at once I realized I deserved better; a better partner that loved me kindly, a career that appreciated and compensated me fairly, and a life that was anything but disappointing. No one else was going to make this happen for me but me.
I left that relationship and never looked back, I quit my job gracefully and packed a bag. I hopped in my Subaru and drove south until I saw the sea. I decided I wouldn’t go home until I found what’s most important: self love. Yes, I wanted to find direction; I wanted a light bulb to go off and scream “this is what’s next for you!” That never happened but what did was much more powerful. I was able to look in the mirror again without hating the image staring back at me. I listened to the waves each night and was reminded that beauty is in the simplest of things. Listening to that ocean, accepting that something as big as the ocean can sound so small and gentle taught me that my problems couldn’t possibly be bigger than THE OCEAN. I could handle this.
Years ago I had a silly dream of making others feel more beautiful. I wanted to call it “Bors Beauty” in hopes that my sister would join me one day and we’d work everyday with smiles on our faces knowing that what we offered was confidence with kindness, one little tweak at a time. I would be a permanent makeup artist and she would be the nurse with all the injectables. So, as I drove home after 3 weeks in the sun, I took the ultimate risk. I was going to start my own business and do just that: help others feel more beautiful. I wasn’t meant for mediocrity any longer. I wasn’t going to work for anyone else that made me feel like I deserved less than I do, and now that I found love for myself and my capabilities on that beautiful, big, smooth ocean, I knew I was extraordinary. I was my own boss now, and I’d never give up on ME or underestimate my abilities.
Bors Beauty was born and it has been the biggest risk I’ve ever taken. It has been so hard! I’ve been so afraid to fail but failure isn’t an option. I have made it this far with everything (even myself) working against me, but now that I understand the ocean and it seems to understand me, what is there to fear?
Grace, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Grace Bors and I am the owner of Bors Beauty. I am certified in microblading. I specialize in eyebrows but also offer faux freckles. I work inside a wonderful tattoo shop in my hometown, Shelbyville KY. I took an intensive 3 day course to learn the skill but practice nearly everyday to perfect it. It is my absolute JOY to see how happy new eyebrows can make a person. I have microbladed women without any brows at all, those that have been through cancer, women with extremely sparse brows, and some that just want thicker more proportionate eyebrows. Every client is different and it is so fun to map out what’s most symmetrical to their faces and give them brows they never thought they’d have. I’ve always been interested in permanent makeup and it’s been such an adventure learning this craft and making my clients self esteem rise right in front of me. I hope to learn permanent eyeliner and lip blushing next to offer more services with Bors Beauty.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Something I had to unlearn was self doubt. I thought I was too nice, too timid, and too weak to be a business owner. In the beginning, that messed me up a couple of times. I didn’t stand up for myself and trust myself and my skill. This led to small mistakes and actions I wouldn’t usually take just to please a client. I have learned to be confident, trust the process, and let the results do the talking!
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
I had no idea how I was going to follow this permanent make up/ Bors Beauty dream. I didn’t make enough money to even live on my own while working 40 hours a week. Unfortunately, my grandma passed away during the pandemic and the money she left me was just sitting in the bank. I didn’t feel it would be right or fair by her to use it for anything unimportant. I wanted to use it to honor her in some way. I can’t imagine anyone else being more excited about Bors Beauty than her. It’s her last name on this business too, and I owe all my confidence to start this business to her. Without her, I’d still be working away at a desk watching my life pass on by. However, because of her, I was able to find myself, take a microblading class and chase my dream. Thank you so much, Granny, for your unconditional love and support. 
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Bors beauty
- Facebook: Bors Beauty
Image Credits
MDT Photography