We were lucky to catch up with Nicole Saavedra recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think it takes to be successful?

To be successful, I believe it takes a combination of passion, skill, and the ability to make a positive impact on others. Finding something you are good at and genuinely enjoy can lead to both personal fulfillment and financial success. For example, I once worked with a mentor who was deeply passionate about his craft. He dedicated countless hours to honing his skills, which not only allowed him to excel but also enabled him to inspire and uplift those around him. He often shared stories of clients whose lives were transformed through his work—showing me that success is not just about personal achievement, but also about contributing to the well-being of others.
This experience shaped my view that true success involves a balance of pursuing your own goals while also making a difference in the lives of others. When you can find joy in what you do and positively impact those around you, that’s when you truly achieve success.

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

I have been in the beauty industry for over 15 years, a journey that began during a challenging time for my family. As a stay-at-home mom of three, I faced financial difficulties when my husband was the sole provider. One day, after struggling to afford a prescription for my son, I found myself feeling overwhelmed and prayed for guidance. It was then that the idea came to me: helping brides prepare for their weddings. This opportunity would allow me to work on weekends while being present for my children during the week. I started by placing an ad on Craigslist, and that small step led to the establishment of my business. Today, I am proud to have two locations, one in Brookfield and another in Oconomowoc, along with a dedicated team of 12 talented hair and makeup artists. While we specialize in bridal services, we also collaborate with multiple photographers and offer a range of additional services, including brow and lash treatments, as well as blowouts.
What sets us apart is our commitment to creating a welcoming and compassionate environment for our clients. We strive to listen to their visions and understand their needs, ensuring they feel safe and valued throughout the process. Our goal is to serve our clients by delivering exactly what they want, not just what we think they need.
I take great pride in the relationships we build with our clients and the positive impact we have on their special moments. My hope is that potential clients see our brand as a place where they can express themselves and feel confident in our ability to bring their beauty visions to life.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Yes, my side hustle transitioned into my main full-time business. I initially started a cleaning business, working Monday through Friday while my children were in school full-time. This provided a stable income as I began to build my high-end hair and makeup business, specializing in bridal services. As I established my reputation in the beauty industry, I balanced both ventures for some time. The turning point came when COVID-19 restrictions began to lift. With a renewed sense of normalcy, my beauty business experienced a significant increase in demand. This surge allowed me to gradually step away from the cleaning business and fully dedicate my efforts to my hair and makeup brand.
Some key milestones in this journey included the initial launch of my bridal services, securing partnerships with local photographers, and expanding my team as client requests grew. Each of these steps contributed to scaling my business, ultimately allowing me to transition from a side hustle to a full-time career in the beauty industry.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the most challenging moments in my journey occurred five years into my beauty business. I was also caring for my brother, who had been in a motorcycle accident, which added another layer of stress to my life. One day, after visiting him at the rehab facility and completing a bridal trial at a bride’s home, I stopped for lunch with my truck fully packed with supplies for both my cleaning and beauty businesses. In a moment of vulnerability, my truck was stolen, leaving me feeling utterly helpless. All my essential tools, along with supplies for my daughter’s birthday party, were gone. I was devastated and overwhelmed, unsure of how I could start over without any business insurance to fall back on.
During this difficult time, my husband was my greatest supporter. He encouraged me not to give up and handed me the credit card, reminding me that I had come too far to let this setback define me. His belief in me reignited my determination, and I set out to rebuild my businesses from the ground up.
This experience taught me resilience and the importance of having a support system. I not only recovered but also emerged stronger and more committed to my passion. Today, I am proud to say that I’ve built my beauty business back up and am thriving more than ever.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ncstylingandspa.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolechristinestyling/profilecard/?igsh=Nmpqc3JzZ29wemVq
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/htPbr24nRFqnUpfZ/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
Suvi Troy photography Olive sage, Photography