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

Tamela, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

Martini Makeover has been my brand for over a decade. The name came from me being a mixologist and working in retail cosmetics for over 15 years. In 2020 after the pandemic I was furloughed from my employer at the time. So I started to rely on my many talents to pay the bills. I started doing mobile facials on family and friends. I used IG to promote. After things went back to normal I landed a job at a Plastic Surgeons office. I was hired to do Laser Hair Removal. Unfortunately there med spa room wasn’t going to open up just yet so they asked me did I wanna train to do Post Op Care. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I’m a very result driven person so when I realized I would be helping women heal after having Plastic Surgery Procedures performed I was all in. I love to make women feel comfortable in their own skin. While I was at this practice my natural born salesmanship kicked in. I built meaningful relationships with many of my clients and exchanged contact info with them. They all referred someone to me once they found out I was opening my own space.

After leaving the practice I started searching for locations and setting goals for the future. I found a location signed a lease and cried the whole day. I had no idea what I got myself into. The market manager assured me that I could do it. I literally did Postmates until the day I opened the doors. I started my business with under $3000 ( which I borrowed from friends and family) and a hope and a dream. I posted an ad on Groupon and the day it went live I was booked for like everyday with 5 to 10 clients a day. I decided to sell them packages and ended my 1st month with 15,000.

Only challenges I had was that my suite wasn’t ready and I did not want to halfstep. So I went mobile to each clients house and serviced them there. I had some machines already and equipment that I previously purchased. All of my furniture hadn’t made it in yet because like I said before we where still in the “ Pandemic” era where everything was delayed. I found gently used mirrors for my walls at Goodwill. I shopped Consignment and Amazon.

My advice to anyone just starting out is to Start Small but Think Big. I’ve been open going on 2 years in May. I’m living my dream. I’m learning new things daily. I’m truly living in my purpose. I’m so very blessed and thankful.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I got into the industry in 2009 I had my 1st retail job at Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics in Lenox Mall. I fell in love with products and ingredients there. We performed many facials on clients and like a month in I signed up to attend Esthetician school at International School of Skin, Nail Care, and Massage. I graduated in 2011. I didn’t work in the Aesthetics field immediately I climbed the ladder in retail managing for High End Brands such as Byredo, Crème de Lamer, Laura Mercier, and Dior. I worked as an Esthetician inside of Saks Fifth Avenue and I was a Fragrance Brand Ambassador in Neiman Marcus for some time.

What sets me apart from others is that I’m approachable, passionate, knowledgeable. I create a space where my clients can come and relax in a clean space and feel comfortable. I am most proud of when clients walk out of my door and take the time to go online and write the most sweetest things about their experiences inside of Martini Makeover and myself. I tear up every time. I know that I can truly change the world healing people one treatment at a time. Whether your getting a facial, post op services or makeup artistry I want every client to feel brand new when they walk out my doors.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Being a real person. Being compassionate, and caring and having patience. You have to actually care about the people you service. One thing I learned working retail is that clients buy into you not the product that your selling. If your a genuine soul. You will be in business for life. It’s not all about the finances you have to have a good heart too.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to learn that all money isn’t good. You have to set boundaries with some people. There will be people that are your people for life. There will also be people that where never meant to be your people but a lesson. So as long as your work ethic, morals and beliefs are strong. The lessons will turn into blessings.

Contact Info:

• Website: Salonlofts.com/tamela_bennett
• Instagram: Martini_Makeover