Today we’d like to introduce you to Inga Bailey.
Inga, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My journey in the beauty industry began as a makeup artist. I learned so much while working as a makeup artist, but the one thing I always struggled with was understanding the proper structure of the eyebrows. I realized that no matter how flawless my makeup application was on a client, how beautiful her eyeshadow combination was or how well I blended, none of that mattered if her brows were not shaped properly. The brows can either make the entire look come all the way together or they can completely ruin the entire look. Once I discovered this, I made sure that I did all I could to understand the eyebrows. This included going back to school in order to become an esthetician. Becoming an esthetician has to be one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life – hands down.
Once I became an esthetician, I immediately began working as an eyebrow artist. I worked everywhere from small local eyebrow studios to large internationally known eyebrow brands. I was able to learn so much about the eyebrow industry (good and bad). However, after about only one year of working professionally in the industry, I thought I was well equipped to branch out on my own and open my own eyebrow studio. Long story short – I FAILED! After this failure, I was blessed to have the opportunity to work with one of the largest and fastest growing eyebrow brands in the country. The learning continued!
After working with this brand for another 2+ years, I knew that this time I was definitely ready to successfully step out on my own. Pulling all of the skills together that I learned from every eyebrow studio I’ve ever worked, taking the good, and tossing the bad, taking care of each client as if he/she is my only client, and never stopping, slowing down or giving up, I have been able to run a successful eyebrow studio for nearly 4 years. And I’ve enjoyed every second of it!
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?
Honestly, getting to this point has not been extremely smooth. I hate to admit this, but early on in my career, I was (harshly) let go of my very first eyebrow studio. And I’m not just saying this because I was fired, but I honestly did nothing wrong! At that moment, I told myself that I would never allow anyone to have control over my livelihood. Although I did end up working for a large eyebrow brand shortly after, I made it my job to focus on having my OWN. Once I made that my main agenda, that stayed at the forefront of my mind, and I never lost sight of my goal.
I definitely consider myself an optimist. So, I enjoy finding the silver lining in every situation. Yes, bumps in the road hurt, and can even cause damage and you can suffer a loss. But the main thing to remember when you lose something in life is to make room for God to send you a larger and better replacement. I’ve suffered a few losses in my career thus far, but my replacements have been so grand, that I became grateful for every “loss”.
My advice for other women who are starting on their journey. Women who are working hard every day towards their goals. Women who are consistent and refuse to take “No” for an answer when it comes to achieving their goals. I say, “Look up. Look ahead. And Look out!” Great things are coming for you!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Inga Bailey Brows – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
At Inga Bailey Brows, every potential and a loyal client can rest assured that their brows will be transformed for the greater once they leave my chair. I am a firm believer in educating each client about their eyebrows. Most people have so many unanswered questions when it comes to their eyebrows, and unfortunately, at other eyebrow studios, their questions remained unanswered. With me, every question “why” is answered thoroughly during a full eyebrow consultation, to not only give my client newfound knowledge but also comfort in knowing that their eyebrows are in good hands. I do not believe in masking the eyebrows by using too much brow product or performing random eyebrow trends. I believe that natural looking brows are always on trend. The eyebrows should softly compliment and frame the face. Using too much brow product on the eyebrows can make the eyebrows appear extremely harsh. After the brows have been expertly shaped, I teach each client how to naturally enhance their brows if needed. Getting your eyebrows shaped at Inga Bailey Brows is an experience, and it is an experience that can’t be forgotten or duplicated!
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
I was blessed to grow up in a family of self-starters, go-getters and entrepreneurs. I had a great-grandmother who did hair in her kitchen. The money she made from doing hair allowed her to pay her way through college. She graduated with her Master’s in Education in the 1930’s. This was during a time when African American’s in the South were not expected to be smart or educated.
My grandmother (granny), had a different story. She had two daughters before she turned 18 years of age. Even though she was faced with many struggles, she raised my mother and my aunt and they both obtained college degrees. Later in life, my granny found work as a custodian. To be honest, I’m not sure how my granny truly felt about her job, but she went to work every day with a smile on her face and never missed a day of work. Everyone loved her. Not just because of the work she did, but because of the person she was. She turned her passion into a business and started her own cleaning company. I never knew, until adulthood, that my granny never finished the 10th grade. She was so smart and never let the adversities of life stop her from doing what she put her heart and mind to.
Then there’s my mother. My entire life, I’ve watched my mother do it ALL! She was a nurse, she paid for me and my brother to attend private school, along with our extracurricular activities. When she and my father divorced, she still made sure that the quality of life for her children wasn’t affected. I watched take care of the household all while she worked as a nurse, opened up businesses, went dancing practices and band performances. She was like Super Woman to me. and she still is to this day. My mother always knew how to make things work… no matter what!
And finally, there’s my cousin. My cousin seemed to take after my great-grandmother (which was her grandmother) and decided to become a hairstylist. From the start of my journey as a makeup artist to becoming an esthetician to becoming a business owner, my cousin was there supporting me all the way. I admired her because she, like my great-grandmother, my granny and my mother, never let anything keep her from her goals.
As I watched these fearless women in my life, I learned that anything is possible. They taught me how to go after my goals, and never give up. And even when life gets rough, never let anyone see you sweat, keep wearing a smile, and “Fake it ’till you make it!”.
Pricing:
- Eyebrow Shaping $30.00
- Eyebrow Tinting $20.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 1750 Old Spring House Lane
Suite 200 B
Dunwoody, GA 30338 - Website: www.IngaBaileyBrows.com
- Phone: 770-940-2569
- Email: Inga@IngaBaileyBrows.com
- Instagram: @IngaBaileyBrows
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/IngaBaileyBrows
Image Credit:
Inga Bailey Brows
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