Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shadell Singleton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Shadell, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the most important things we can do as business owners is ensure that our customers feel appreciated. What’s something you’ve done or seen a business owner do to help a customer feel valued?
When I first became a business owner I knew my field was over saturated so I had to figure out what was going to make me stand out from other service providers.i knew I wanted my client’s services to be more than just a service but an experience to remember. I am a lover girl at heart and one of my love languages is acts of kindness and I just implemented that into my services.so when clients would book I always ask is there an special occasion & when they tell me the occasion I will decorate as well as present gifts to them. I also decorate for holidays and create little scavenger hunts and giveaways to let my clients know I appreciate them but in my opinion it also gives them something to look forward to.
Shadell, 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?
I started out as a healthcare worker who was also makeup artist on the side who wanted to perfect her craft to be able to change career paths.there wasn’t a school close just for makeup so as I did my research I stumbled across the esthetic program where as an esthetician makeup falls under your scope of practice along side waxing,facials,& lash services.luckily my local community college offered the program and there were seats available and It was when I started esthetics is when I found my passion for waxing.i offer many other services temporarily but waxing is my passion.I specialize in Brazilian waxing and it brings me so much joy educating my clients on the benefits of waxing and taking care of they’re skin.Come Jan 2024 all other services will be removed from my service list and I will only provide waxing a vajacial services. This journey has not been the easiest at all especially this last year but it has taught me so much about business as well as myself and if no one else is proud of me I am because I knew I was strong but not this strong and many times I wanted to give up because I felt like things aren’t going the way I imagined,some weeks are good with the client flow and others are not to the point where I am still working full time in healthcare. Even with the rough days my only focus is my business and how I can become better and how my business can make a difference and that’s what make me stand out from others. I do plan on inserting my skills in healthcare into my business in the next two years and I know that is going to be an interesting journey but I am up for the challenge. One thing about me is I love what I do it’s never about the money for me I absolutely enjoy everything about it and when my clients feel good I feel good! I go above any beyond to make sure my clients are satisfied, they are educated on they’re service, care for they’re service as well as an experience to remember.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
Before I even attended school for my craft I knew I wanted my own business I did not want to work for no one or with anyone because even though i am social when i need to be I like being to myself. All while I was in school (keep in mind I was working full time as a healthcare worker) in the middle of the pandemic I hustled like my life depended on it which it did but I knew I had to get this money. I did not want to go into debt by taking out loans so I hustled I worked anywhere between 80-110 hrs a pay period as well as taking makeup and wax clients on the side. I set a goal for my self from the beginning I knew I needed a physical location, do renovations,needed supplies etc so I did my research while n school and working to make the money I needed.i didn’t know exactly how much but I just came up with an estimate to save.after graduation may 2021 I found out I was pregnant with my 5th child and had the worse pregnancy I wasn’t in the best health but I still pushed through until I met my goal.Nov 30 2021 1 month before giving birth I signed my lease to my first shop no loans no grants nothing but my hard work and dedication.that was one of the happiest moments in my life.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
If I had to give advice for managing a team or just owning a business in general keep God first and pray about everything. Secondly I would suggest having a mentor.having a mentor has been one of my greatest weapons thus far in business because I have learned a lot from a seasoned business owner/esthetician.also stand firm on your polices and rules don’t break them for anyone stand on business.the first sign u give that u re weak they will try to run all over you trust me I have experienced some things I wish I would have never even allowed in my space but now that I look back they are learning lessons I needed so I can know how to move forward.treat your business as if it’s your child you take care of your child and if u are managing/leading others take care of them in a aspect because they are a face to your brand.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bareelegancebeautybar.as.me/schedule.php
- Instagram: Bareelegancebeautybar
- Facebook: Bare Elegance Beauty Bar
- TikTok: bareelegancebeautybar
Image Credits
Myself(shadell singleton) &terell Perry