Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandee Baca.
Hi Brandee, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Hello! My Name is Brandee B I’m a 29 yr old Latina. I was born in New Mexico and raised in El Paso, TX. I am the owner of Creative Beautee Salon & Academy located in Denton Tx. My journey in the beauty industry started in 2010 when I was accepted into a cosmetology trade school program in high school. While attending two different high schools and being a full-time athlete I had a growing interest in the art of nails. This lead me to explore nails as a side hustle in my free time for a little extra cash working on family and friends. After graduating from high school and completing my state testing for my cosmetology license, I move to Denton Tx. While attending UNT, I continued with my side hustle doing nails in my dorm room and hosting mini pop-up events in the lobby of apartment complexes. After my first year, I was eager to explore more of a professional setting and I began my search with the local nail salons to apply for a job, however, I was turned down multiple times for being too young or because I am Latina. I was discouraged and took a break from nails and started focusing on my Kinesiology degree. In 2014 I finally found a salon that would give me the opportunity to join their team of 25+ girls. Being a minority in an Asian dominate industry had its challenges but I learned a lot just by working alongside them. It was a struggle the first two years because I was not provided with any training; they just expected you to know all the techniques and if not to figure it out. From that moment on I knew the only way I was going to succeed in the industry was if I practiced on my own time. While going to school full-time and working at the salon on the weekends, I knew I had to grow my clientele at my house, working after hours to keep up. I would hand out flyers across campus and began posting on social media to attract new clients. Every chance I had I was researching new techniques and products to help improve my craft. After about 3 years of consistency, I became one of the top nail artists at that salon. I realized I wanted to expand my business and began taking courses to become a lash artist. In 2017 I had my son, and I knew I would not be able to provide the life I wanted for my family if I continued to work at both the salon and home. I started looking for mini salon suits to rent out and by 2018 I left the big salon to work solely for myself. Leaving the larger salon and being on my own was terrifying because it felt like I was starting from scratch. Blessed with such an amazing following and reputation, Brandee B Nails grew quickly and as my books continued to fill up, I realized I had to start a waiting list within the first year of being open. As my brand grew fellow artists and clients began asking if I would teach them my craft. At that time the nail and lash industry were very hush-hush, people did not like to share their knowledge about products or techniques, and I was determined to change that. I started providing one on one training and grew a strong passion for teaching. It was such a huge accomplishment to be able to teach and mentor others after not having that for myself. After 3 years of working in my mini salon, my waiting list grew to over 300 eager clients. It became evident that it was going to be nearly impossible for me to tend to my waiting list as a solo artist. The only thing I could come up with was to grow into a larger salon with other techs that could provide similar trendy and high-quality work. I wanted to combine a salon and academy to help mentor other aspiring artist like myself in the industry. The pandemic hit and my business plans were placed on hold as the world was shut down. During this time, I researched everything I could about new nail techniques, specialty lash courses, how to open a storefront business, and different marketing strategies. After years of sacrifices, I was able to come out of the pandemic with my bachelor’s in Kinesiology with a minor in Business Management. Although I had spent the last 9 years working on a degree that had nothing to do with the beauty industry, I was able to elevate my passion from what I learned from my business degree. Once the world started opening back up, I knew I needed to act on my dreams, and I needed to do it quickly. I experienced a lot of ups and downs opening up a commercial storefront mainly because this was all very new to me and once again, I had no one to help mentor me through the process. The next year and a half I contacted over a dozen plazas in the area trying to find the perfect one for me and my business. Finally, at the end of 2021, I decided to move forward with the Mayhill Plaza in Denton. We started construction in April of 2022 and the salon was officially ready to open in August 2022. This is just the beginning of our journey here at Creative Beautee. I take pride in no longer considering myself a solo artist but a member of a team here at Creative Beautee! We now have the space and knowledge to help mentor other aspiring artist like ourselves to grow within the industry as well as providing a luxurious and relaxing atmosphere to our clients getting serviced. I can’t wait to see how much we grow and accomplish over the next year.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been many struggles throughout the years, especially being a single mother with no local family. I believe the hardest part of my journey has been the simple fact that I had to teach myself everything I know while being the minority. The struggle of trying to change the stigma one has when they walk into a traditional salon and how they are treated. I have a different vision of how a salon should be ran along with my outlook on mentorships and an entrepreneurial mindset. To translate that into a way that would be respected and not dismissed has definitely been a challenge. I don’t come from wealth or a family of entrepreneurs so taking the chance to venture off from everyone around me was very intimidating. Everything I have accomplished has been trial and error. However, I believe all of the struggles and bumps in the road were worth going through to get to where we are today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I work alongside a team of creative artists; here at Creative Beautee we offer services for dip nails, manicures, pedicures, lash extensions, lash lifts, brow waxing, and continuing education courses for nails, lashes, and business 101. My biggest accomplishment has been achieved over the last 4 years when I ventured off and opened my mini salon. I have been recognized as a Best Of Denton Finalist for the last 3 years for nails and this past year I made it as a finalist for Lashes. It’s been such an honor to be awarded BOD as a single artist when I’m going against larger local salons of 25+. Now that we have a team here at Creative Beautee I have no doubt that we will take home the grand title of being THE BEST in Denton. What sets me apart from others is my passion and drive to level up. All those times I was told I’m not going to make it in the industry, that I’m wasting my time and I need to find a more secure profession like the medical field, or that I would be the first to lose my job if the world shuts down. I’m living proof that through all the hardship and obstacles I’ve stayed on a steady path proving them all wrong and I am now the first Latina Luxury Salon Owner in Denton Tx!
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We are an appointment-based salon so if you’d like to book, please visit our website at www.CreativeBeautee.com. We are always looking to add new members to our team; if you’d be interested in becoming a part of our family email us at CreativeBeautee@gmail.com! We appreciate you taking the time to listen to our story and shinning light on our Latina Owned Small Business.
Pricing:
- Dip/Gel Nails $50+
- Pedicures $35+
- Lash Full Set $150 – $300
- Lash Lift $90
Contact Info:
- Website: www.creativebeautee.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/creativebeautee?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Creative-Beautee-Salon-Academy-101687391596844/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/creative-beautee-salon-and-academy-denton-3?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@creativebeautee?_t=8VFY697SEOs&_r=1
