Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie LaLanne of Beauty By Bailee.
Stephanie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
How did I end up with my business? Let’s take a little stroll down to memory lane! I started doing hair and makeup in high school. I was always known to have my hair and makeup done, especially going to school. Doing hair and makeup was never suppose to be my profession. I was actually suppose to be a homicide detective lol! In high school, I took cosmetology for two years just as an elective because I needed extra credits lol. People would always ask me “who does your hair”? “Who does your makeup, it’s flawless”? I would tell people I did my own hair and after that, so many of my friends, family members, etc., would ask me to do their hair. I started doing my friend’s and family members’ hair on the side just for fun. I would never charge them though! Until one day, my mom told me I should start charging people a small amount just to get their hair done because so many people would inquire about hairstyles. I thought it would be cool to earn some extra cash, especially being in school and I wasn’t working full time.
Once I graduated from high school and attended college, I was doing hair and makeup on the side and earning a little bit of money from doing it. I still didn’t want to go into the industry then, I just knew I wanted to do hair and makeup for the time being until I finished college. Once I finished college and earned my degree, I started working for the Food and Drug Administration and I absolutely hated it! I only worked there because my parents wanted me to have a government job. I come from a Haitian family, where doing hair and makeup is not a profession. I wanted to make my parents happy, so I worked for the FDA and still did hair and makeup on the side but I was miserable. I worked for the FDA for about a year, then decided to take a leap of faith and resign from my position. It was time for me to do what I wanted to do with my life. I had a plan and a goal and started to realize that the hair industry was very popular. It was expanding tremendously and realized that if I was serious about starting my business, this was the time to do it! I knew God was going to help guide me in the right direction. I resigned from the FDA in 2017 and never looked back! I launched Beauty By Bailee LLC in April 2017. I launched my business and also my hairline at the same time. So, not only do I do hair, I have my own hairline as well which is The Bailee Bundle Collection and The Bailee Glam Wig Collection.
Here we are, two years later and my business has grown tremendously. I also took a leap of faith last year, and moved to Fort Worth, Texas and opened my studio, The Bailee Glam Studio! I can honestly say God has really been working in my favor! Though it was not an easy journey, it has been a great experience so far and I have learned so much about the hair industry and also being a business owner. My next big goal is to open up a storefront in Arlington, Texas and also have another store in Virginia. I’m so grateful and blessed for all the opportunities that were brought my way just by taking a leap of faith. Any person who is thinking about perusing entrepreneurial opportunities, I say go for it! There’s nothing like working for yourself and being happy in a field you’re passionate about!!!!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It definitely has not been a smooth road! Being a business owner is definitely a learning experience. I have had so many ups and downs with my business, but I wouldn’t be the person who I am today if I didn’t go through all of the trials and tribulations! Being an entrepreneur and having a business is a lot of work. You have to be disciplined, consistent, and motivated to come up with new content every single day. A lot of people look at social media and think running a business is the easiest thing to do, and it’s not! You definitely have to put in the work in order to receive the same in return. The best advice I have for other women who are just starting their journey is to believe in yourself, be consistent, and have a plan. Write down goals and remind yourself this is what you are trying to accomplish! Always remain positive, and let god do his work! It’s not a race its a marathon!
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am a hairstylist garnering 10+ years in the hair industry! I specialize in traditional installs, closure installs, frontal installs, wig installs, goddess locs, faux locs, bohemian locs and makeup! Ever since I moved to Texas, I am known for my locs, lol, but I pretty much specialize in a little bit of everything! I am most proud of how far my business has come. Though this is only the beginning, I have so many plans for my business in the future! I am also proud of the feedback I get from my clients! It’s such a great feeling! What sets me apart from others is my attitude and my passion for my craft. I spend a lot of time coming up with different strategies and ideas to help better my craft and also my work speaks for itself!!!!!
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
My mom is definitely an inspiration to me. She taught me my work ethic. Growing up, my mom always worked two jobs which made me think that having more than one source of income was the way to go! She was right! I have multiple streams of income now, which I think everyone should as well if you want to be successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beautybybailee.com
- Phone: 214-444-3466
- Email: beautybybailee10@gmail.com
- Instagram: @beauty_bybailee
- Facebook: Beauty By Bailee
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