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

Tonya, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always dreamt of having a beauty salon that felt like a lounge with a very sexy and playful energy. A place where you can hang out but also get glammed up as if you’re getting ready at your bff’s.

I decided to look for inspiring ideas and eye catching words in a book from Dita Von Teese, a beauty icon that I adore. The book was titled “Your Beauty Mark”My genius cousin quickly suggested to my sister and I “what about the book title?!” That’s when we all agreed on merging the Beauty Mark with the Lounge I’ve always wanted to create.

I want all of my clients to feel their best and to make/leave their (beauty) mark wherever they go!

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?

My journey as an esthetician/MUA started in 2012. I was actually in the process of becoming a teacher when I quickly realized it wasn’t for me. So, I decided to switch up my trajectory and enrolled into esthetics school. I grew up with a family full of hairdressers and salon owners. I’m a natural creative and being that I was so passionate about makeup, that’s what led me to make the leap into the world beauty.

Beauty Mark Lounge provides makeup services for brides & all special events, including makeup lessons. I also offer spray tans, waxing, brow lamination, lash lifts & dermaplaning.

My lounge is a one stop shop for your next event! We offer full glam for flawless skin, tan & makeup. I cater to anyone and everyone that’s interested in wanting to try something new and/or learn how to take better care of their beauty and make them feel their best self.

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

From 2012 to 2018 I was working as a retail makeup artist at a major department store. While the job was extremely fun and taught me a ton about customer service and building relationships, it wasn’t fulfilling my need as a creative. Outside of my full time job, I was already steadily booking makeup / waxing appointments and building up my personal clientele. I finally decided to bet on myself and start my own business, Beauty Mark Lounge. After four years of mobile service and renting suite space, I was able to partner up and open my own beauty lounge in Central Phoenix.

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

Like a lot of small businesses, when covid hit, I basically had to start from scratch. It was especially tough because understandably, people were forced to make decisions on what they should cut from their routine and beauty services are always first to go. Thankfully, once things started to normalize, my clientele came calling due to the amazing relationships I’ve been able to build throughout the years.

I want my potential clients to know that I’m in this 100% with love and passion. I’ve dedicated all of my time, energy and faith into this business and that’s what they’re going to get every time we work together.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.beautymarklounge.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/beautymarklounge?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063583268604&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Google: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8wJKn4FsNZpeeRJY7?g_st=ic

Image Credits
Nicky Hedayatzadeh Mint Photography Studio @mint.mint.studio