We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Zaria Rendon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Zaria below.
Zaria, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
It’s funny because normally being fired is a negative thing but honestly it was the turning point in my life and pushed me to level up. Once upon a time, it was just a dream of mine to be a business owner. It wasn’t until I had no where else to go, but up, that I really decided it was execution time. The week after I got fired I found myself on a plane to Hawaii with my family, because if I’m going to cry, best believe it’s going to be on a pretty beach with a Mai tai in hand. When I came back I created a mock up of the logo I wanted, hired someone to perfect it, partnered with my now suite mate to find a location, and less than 3 months later that closed door that I was crying over, turned into an open door to my dream, Brownsugar. I’m beyond grateful for that one “no, you’re fired” because it’s turned into a hundred “yeses”.
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’m a 27 year old Black woman who was born and raised in Portland. I’ve been sugaring for about 5 years. Sugaring is a natural and more gentle hair removal method. It’s also biodegradable, which a lot of people love. I knew in high school that I wanted to be in the beauty industry. I always gravitated towards hair and makeup as a child. I went to school for full cosmetology (hair, skin & nails) but soon found out that I only like getting my hair and nails done, I don’t like doing nails or hair. I was still trying to figure out exactly what I wanted to do once I became a licensed esthetician, but I definitely had a dream early on that I wanted to own a business. I would do my friends eyebrows in high school and kept with it throughout beauty school. I found that I really enjoyed waxing the most and after becoming licensed, I decided I wanted to do that. My first job was at a speed waxing boutique that really discouraged me from continuing, because I wasn’t learning as fast as they wanted. I ended up quitting on the last day of training, and contemplated if I even was in the right industry. Eventually I made my way into a sugaring job, from a close friend and my now suite mate. In that job I learned how to sugar and fell in love with the technique and got back into doing what I loved. I think something that really sets me apart within my industry and something my clients love, is my fast, yet efficient skills, attention to detail, as well as my kindness and patience. My space is not only a space where my clients receive sugaring services but also a place where they can vent. I love being able to offer my clients encouragement, and advice. I strive to always create a warm and welcoming environment, where my clients not only feel safe but comfortable as well. I give my clients grace and patience when getting through these sometimes painful services and they have told me how much they appreciate that. As a Black woman in the industry I’m so happy to be able to offer a safe space for so many Black and POC women. Being one of the very few Black women who offer these services in Portland, I’ve had so many women of color, especially Black women tell me their unfortunate stories of not feeling comfortable or understood during a waxing experience. Not only do I offer sugaring services but I also help find my clients the best aftercare routines for their skin, hair type, and lifestyles. I’m really proud of the space that I’ve created and the amount of people that I’ve inspired, encouraged and serviced. I’m also so happy and proud to be able to continue to impact peoples lives even if it’s in a little way.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Being unapologetically Black, all while being humble and showing that you can be professional at the same time. When you hear the name “Brownsugar” I want you to think of the beautiful brown skin of a Black woman and then immediately after, I want you to remember that I do things by the book, I follow all safety guidelines and I am on time. I humbly hold my clients to a high level because I expect that they hold me at the same level. I believe that my clients deserve professionalism because at the end of the day, they are paying me for an experience, so best believe I’m going to do my best to deliver. I serve clients from all different walks of life. But I especially wanted to create a safe place for my Black Girls in Portland. We have so few places that are safe for us to just be, be ourselves, be Black, be vulnerable and be catered to. This is why I created Brownsugar. I remove hair for a living. But I also want my clients to be able to remove any stress that they may carry before walking through my door. I want them to feel safe enough to remove any figurative mask they may have to wear in the outside world. By creating this safe space for all of my clients I believe that my reputation goes far beyond just being great at brows.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
It’s not really a strategy, but it’s been what has had the biggest impact on my growing clientele. Which is my goal of always being consistent, professional and authentic. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I do my best to consistently create a safe and welcoming environment for all of my clients. Through me being authentically myself; my clients can feel my sincerity and want to share that with others. Most of my business has been built from word of mouth. Sisters telling their sisters, and friends telling their friends. And because I am authentically me; everyone gets the same consistent professionalism which has really helped me to do right by all of my clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.brownsugarpdx.com
- Instagram: Brownsugarpdx