We were lucky to catch up with Yahnee’ Gober recently and have shared our conversation below.
Yahnee’, appreciate you joining us today. Your ability to build a team is often a key determinant of your success as a business owner and so we’d love to get a conversation going with successful entrepreneurs like yourself around what your recruiting process was like -especially early on. How did you build your team?
I officially started my business back in 2015 all by myself! No actual L.L.C just jumping out on faith, hosting free makeup parties with a variety different brands of cultures and races! Trying to build my brand while getting my skills up to become better at the same time! I would do these types of events often so that I could get a better practice on mixing my colors together and not having my clients looking crazy! I would focus on how to mix different foundations, concealers, and eyeshadows to name a few! I never wanted to be that makeup artist that only knew how to do a specific race colors, or one style in makeup. I want them all and always open to different techniques! Here I am now 8 years later with my official L.L.C going on 3 years now, still working by myself, doing all types of makeup styles, and different races, and I love it! I’m currently in nursing school getting my Bachelor Science in Nursing so that I can take on something else new with my business. Botox, IV infusion, and injections! I’m super excited to add this to my services and look forward to glamming my clients out even more! In the next 5 years, I plan to open my own medical spa and hire other lash techs, makeup artist, nail techs, cosmologist, and so much more! My shop will be a one stop shop and you will never have to go anywhere else to get your special services you’ll need on the weekly basis! Im excited about what my journey has in store for me, and I look forward to executing my vision very soon! The only thing I would change about my journey is, starting sooner! Better late than never!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a self taught artist that specializes in lashes, eyebrows, makeup, facials, bartending, host, mixologist, and the list goes on! I’ve been doing this since 2015 and I couldn’t of done none of this without my supportive husband, children, parents, and most of all, my clients! Not only do I do all of this, but I also sell products such as alcoholic beverages, 12 different flavors to be exact which I’ve created on my own and the drink names are exclusive! I also have a book out on Amazon called “Become The Boss Of Your Own Life”, which I share so many ways to start your own business, the dos and don’ts, and so much more! I won’t give too much, just make sure you purchase your copy on kindle or hard copy, you won’t regret it! I also sell 3 different styles on mink lashes, and as well as my own brand of foundation which is sensitive approved for my clients skin! I’m always making sure I think of my clients sensitivity especially since I’m dealing with a lot of sensitive areas! What sets me apart from others is I just do me, not worry about who else is doing it, and making sure I’m giving my clients what they are asking for and keep them coming back! I also love to learn from others, getting different perspectives, ideas, or being showed a different way will always keep you ahead of the game! You can never learn too much, there’s no such thing! My goal is to satisfy my clients, while continuing to build my brand and art each day! Some new or my regulars that sits in my chair! I’m every client’s personal counselor as well as they are mine, and I enjoy every conversation I have with each of them and learn something new each time! Their secrets are definitely safe with me! I have some clients that comes in that’s afraid of makeup, or getting their eyelashes done because it’s something they’re not use to or comfortable with change. My goal is to make each client feel better and enhance their beauty after leaving my shop! I am most proud of my consistency and never giving up on myself. It was times I felt discouraged when I didn’t have clients for days, or weeks at a time, but I still kept going and still going, building my clientele up! What I want everyone to know about me is that, I AM YOU! I’m just a young black woman that keeps God first, love my amazing husbands and children, I enjoy life, love, peace, making a difference, learning something new, and helping the next person! I’m far from perfect and always learning, and I give every single person I meet 100% of me! You’ll never forget who I am when you first meet me!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn was, separate you family and friends from business! I say that to say treat your family and friends as clients from the beginning, and if they don’t respect that, then they never will! When I first started off with my business, I didn’t require deposits. Now that I’ve been in business for a few years, it’s taking time out from other things I could be doing for the moment, and building my clientele up, I charge a deposit with every service in order for you to book with me. Well when my rules change, this particular client didn’t like that and felt like since she’s been with me from day one, she shouldn’t have to pay a deposit. Now when someone show you who they are, believe them and leave them right there! Because I loved her and didn’t want to ruin our friendship, even though her comment made me feel some type of way, I politely and respectfully declined ever doing business with her anymore. I take my business, peace, time, hard work, and dedication seriously, and before the situation goes even more left, I’d rather for you to go elsewhere and let me know how that turns out for you! Stand on what your business is and the expectations from everyone! This is your brand and you always want to make sure your face card is always good no matter what! If they can’t respect it, politely decline and keep it moving because you still have a business to run, not them!
Have you ever had to pivot?
Just when I started to do so well in my business, the pandemic hit and boom there goes my business! I knew that it wouldn’t be forever so I wasn’t too worried, I was more worried about the health and wellbeing of my clients as well as myself! I knew that once we got over this hurdle, I would be back in business in a matter of time! It all worked out for the better because when I was down and out of business, it motivated me to start nursing school! While in nursing school, I’ve been able to focus more in school so much that I’m the President of our National Students Nurses Association. NSNA’s mission is to mentor students preparing for initial licensure as registered nurses, and to convey the standards, ethics, and skills that students will need as responsible and accountable leaders and members of the profession. My job is to serve as the principal officer of the association and presides at all meetings; responsible for seeing that direction given by the House of Delegates and the actions of the Board are carried into effect; appoints committees and their chairpersons with the approval of the Board; serves as an ex-officio member of all committees, except the Nominating and Elections Committee; serves as ex-officio member of the Foundation of the NSNA Board of Trustees and represents NSNA. I’m even on the Dean’s List with a gpa of 3.7! I have on year left until I graduate and continue my journey adding new services to my business! When life gives you lemons, make some great lemonade, and never give up on yourself!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://glammeoutt.onuniverse.com/
- Instagram: Glam_me_outt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yahnee.white?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Yelp: [email protected]
Image Credits
Khiana Gilbert (Big sister) Timyda Willis (Big sister) Annette Smith (client)