Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ryan Barber. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ryan , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?
Bikini Bar Detroit, thee über Chic Hair Removal Spot became a vision in 2011. Branded & trademarked in 2012. In 2015, I, Ryan owner of Bikini Bar Detroit waxed my first Babe (affectionally known as a client). The inspiration behind my desire to create a business as such, ironically, became of interest after having one of many, “what’s my life purpose because I was so unfilled”, talks with my best friend in 2011.
Prior to launching Bikini Bar Detroit, I had briefly owned an online shoe and handbag boutique and before it, I took a shot at starting a lingerie line. Unfortunately, but thankfully, these prior businesses flopped. Therefore, this conversation with my friend happened to be very heavy on brainstorming because my spirit was manically uneasy due to unhappiness with career and entrepreneurial efforts. The brainstorming session manifested the idea of somehow tapping into the billion-dollar beauty industry. Fate would have it that I was coming from my very own, “can’t live without” monthly Brazilian wax appointment, and voila…the idea to offer an intimate hair removal service was born.
Now that the business “vehicle” was known, my creative wheels started spinning. The next steps were organizing and figuring out the logistics, but first I had to name my new “baby”. The name had to be cute and catchy…unforgettable, you know! One mind racing night in bed, Bikini Bar popped in my thoughts. I immediately fell in love with it. The name was available to organize and trademark, so was the domain name. It was God’s plan!
I enrolled at Michigan college of beauty for its part-time esthetics license program in September of 2012. During that time, I focused on building a business plan and creating the Bikini Bar’s branding. In 2013, I graduated and soon started working part-time at LifeTime Fitness spa to become familiar with how business is done in the beauty industry.
Ryan , 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?
Bikini Bar, thee über haute hair removal spot that offers a full-body waxing menu, featuring its signature and most popular Brazilian wax known as the B-String. It is a minority owned small business catering too all women not limited to size, shape, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or social status! Have you ever experienced a wax by a Brazilianologist? You can at Bikini Bar. We are the experts! Our only business is keeping our babe’s “business” well kept. If you are particular about where you feel comfortable enough to go full commando, not to worry. We offer bar none customer service with the assistance of a knowledgeable and professional staff in a clean, COVID free environment!! Lastly, it’s Affordable! Our babes enjoy $50 maintenance, 6 weeks or less hair growth, Brazilians 365. We believe it should not be a luxury tax on beautiful bare skin. Our mission is to be the industry standard for all hair removal experiences, ideal for travel or special occasions. In addition, we believe getting waxed is a lifestyle and a whole vibe that empowers women to act in boldness, such as getting a Brazilian wax any day of the week for no other reason than loving the feeling of having smooth bare skin or starting up your dream business kind of boldness. If you have unwanted hair “down there”, we will wax it without judgement!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Bikini Bar conceptually was created in 2011, but doors didn’t officially open until 2016. Upon graduating from Michigan College of Beauty, I suddenly loss my mother in 2013 and not too long afterwards, my father in 2015. Following the loss of my mother, I completely stopped working at LifeTime Spa and didn’t return to esthetics (waxing) until 2016. If the word lost had a picture attached to it, it would’ve been my face. I lost my life advisory board; I lost almost every ounce of my “go juice”!! My Creative wheels stop spinning and my confidence fell to the basement. I didn’t know what I wanted out of life anymore or if I had the mental power to push through. It was my mom whom I inherited my entrepreneurial spirit. She was very nonconventional and a true rebel. The flame that catalyzed my outside of the box thinking. She opened her first hair salon in 80s and remained a small business owner until her retirement. I knew her spirit wouldn’t rest if I didn’t live out the true desires of my heart. At that time of my journey, I was working in the pharmaceutical sales industry. It was okay, but it didn’t bring out the best in me, nor did I have the energy to give it my best. Not working in a field I had a passion for lead me into a complete depression. I was existing and holding on because it paid well and was a widely respected profession. However, I was stagnant and unfilled professionally. I wasn’t growing or advancing. I call this time my “on pause” phase. God knew that that career could afford me the time and resources to take Bikini Bar from an EIN number to a lucrative business now featured in Canvas Rebel Magazine. As my 9 to 5 career remained linear, my authentic life as a business owner slowly and undeniably blossomed right before my eyes. God afforded me an opportunity I couldn’t deny! I am convicted to establishing a strong foot hold in the personal care and beauty industry.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn the idea that failure is a bad thing. Failure can be one of the most teachable moments in one’s life. I’ve been fired from jobs, laid off, as well as created businesses that failed miserably. I could’ve summed all that up as disappointment and reasons to quit. However, I walked away learning valuable lessons that have strengthen my skill set in sustaining and growing my business today. It may sound weird, but failure is sometimes necessary for growth and wisdom.
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Q11 photostudio cmichellestyles makeup