Today we’d like to introduce you to Maggie Mae.
Maggie Mae, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I think I’ve been doing this in some form or another for as long as I can remember. There are pictures of me at about three or four years old playing beauty salon and when my sister came along I used to dress her up and do her hair and makeup and we’d play fashion show. But I didn’t go into it right out of high school. I chose to go to college and get a business degree. When I got out into the workforce in that profession, I just wasn’t happy. In fact, I was quite miserable. It took me several years to get up the courage to “start over”. But the minute I walked into cosmetology school that first day, I knew I had made the right decision.
I got my education at the Aveda Institute in Denver. When I graduated, I went to work for Three Cutters on Pearl in Denver. I had an amazing apprentice program there! It’s one of the things that I am most grateful for. I quickly moved into a management role there because of my previous work background. I was going through some big changes in my personal life and I decided it was time for a change of scenery. That’s when I moved to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. All my friends thought I was crazy! I knew that I’d be happier running my own business. So, when I moved, I opened Blossom Beauty,
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’d say its been about as smooth as owning one’s own business can be. And that is certainly not to say its without challenge because it’s very challenging. But I know I’m doing the right thing. So I just keep pushing ahead.
The biggest struggle for me was finding my niche. When I first moved to Eureka, I assumed the market would be over-saturated with bridal hair and makeup because we are considered the “wedding capital of the south”. So, I went into cuts and color, even though my heart wasn’t in it. About a year into my business I completely revamped and began focusing only on brides. I’m so much happier! And yet, there are struggles there too. Like, every client is a new client.
I wouldn’t change anything about it though. I love what I do!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Blossom Beauty – what should we know?
We offer a wide range of beauty experiences from a la carte hair and makeup services to luxury beauty packages. Our beauty artists are available for on-site services at your desired location and specialize in bridal hair and makeup. We take pride in our ability to create a look you will love for a lifetime!
Our process from start to finish sets us apart. When the bride contacts us, we create a one of a kind beauty collection based on what’s important to them. The collection includes a la carte hair and makeup, luxury beauty experiences, personal stylists that stay with you throughout your event, personalized beauty calendars to prepare for your big day, etc. etc. Once the bride selects her options and signs her contract, we send over an invoice and collect a deposit. We require full payment three weeks prior to the wedding. We do this so that all money has changed hands before the big day. We don’t want our brides having to worry about where their wallet is or to have to find a check from their parents. It’s just easier that way. When we arrive at the bride’s location, we have everything you’d find in the salon except for the sink. We bring comfortable chairs, professional lighting, and all our hair and makeup tools.
It is so important for our brides to feel confident and at their most beautiful. We get to create that for them and its such an honor to spend one of the most important days of their lives with them.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I think there are three things essential to success.
First, you have to be driven to run your own business and you have to be brave enough to take chances.
Second, you have to have a great team. I am so proud of my team. My beauty artists are incredibly skilled, kind and dedicated. They make work not feel like work. And it’s important for me to offer them a fun environment to grow and develop their skills, great pay, and flexibility. When I have a happy team, I have happy brides.
Third, you must have a great client experience. This is why we offer so many package options, bring the salon experience to our brides, include a relaxing hand massage and lip treatment and leave them with a treat bag full of hugs and kisses.
You need all of this with a big dose of patience!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blossombeautyar.com
- Phone: 720-280-2865
- Email: info@blossombeautyar.com
- Instagram: @blossombeautyar
- Facebook: blossombeautyar
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/blossom-beauty-eureka-springs
Image Credit:
Kym Rodda Photography, Kim Christopher Photography, The Montoya Collective, Reagan Aleea Photography, Ashton Rail Photography
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