Today we’d like to introduce you to Marquita Cook.
Marquita Cook, Founder of Pure Bella Corporation and Pure Bella LLC (Formerly 1st Mpressions Mobile Beauty Bar and Spa) is a native of Georgia, born and raised in the inner city of Atlanta. Zone 3 to be exact.
Marquita’s passion for make-up was sparked about ten years ago as a young sailor in the US Navy. Through word of mouth from very pleased clientele, Marquita found herself landing jobs on local news stations, LA runways, movie & reality tv show sets.
After her end of the tour in the military in late 2012, she decided to return to her hometown Atlanta, Ga and pursue her make-up career as a mobile make-up artist. She attended esthetics school with the sole intentions of perfecting her makeup craft and receiving her esthetics license to get into the film industry to do make-up. Marquita had no idea she would fall head over heels in love with skincare and that would become her new passion.
She graduated from The Elaine Sterling Institute in 2013. She then attended Institut DÉRMed receiving a Medi-Clinical and Cosmedical Esthetician Certification. Marquita is a Georgia state-board licensed esthetician, laser practitioner. She recently graduated from the Georgia Career Institute and will soon becomed a licensed massage therapist. She is also an expert in advanced skincare to include anti-aging skin-care methods and specializes in ethnic skin care.
In October 2013, she launched an online company (www.bodympressions.com) specializing in weight loss and fitness needs carrying items such as latex waist cinchers and weight loss supplements to name a few. After a year in the online business, she knew she was ready to take her business to the next level by opening her first storefront location. In the meantime, she would start her mobile spa to get her feet wet in the spa industry while preparing to open her first storefront location.
Pure Bella Spa & Beauty Bar opened its doors February 2015 offering an array of beauty services. In less than a year’s time, Pure Bella was coined “Decatur’s Hidden Treasure.” In 2016 Pure Bella Skincare was launched to include a full skincare line designed to treat and maintain ethnic skin. The line includes handmade, organic skincare for the face and body.
Within the last five years, people from all over the globe have patronized Pure Bella for services and products. Pure Bella Spa was also recently chosen for the 2018 Best of Decatur Awards in the Spa category. Marquita’s passion and commitment to her business and community show in her work ethic and community outreach.
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?
The road has surely not been a smooth one. Being a single mother of three active daughters, running and working the business as well as attending school full time has been the ultimate task. I have made so many mistakes along the way. From prematurely opening a second location in 2016 that failed after about 6 months to bad financial investments. But no struggle, no progress, right? Every lesson has been a blessing. I am learning and growing daily so it has all been worth it.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Bella Spa & Beauty Bar offers an array of beauty services from advanced skincare, massage therapy, make-up artistry, hair care and more.
I am the lead esthetician and I make it my business to see and meet almost every client that walks through our doors. I specialized in ethnic skin care, especially treating and minimizing hyperpigmentation. What sets us apart from other spas is that we not only offer services but we carry our own full skincare line that was designed specifically with our clients in mind. Our protocol is simply to ensure that we assist our clients and work hand in hand to ensure their goals are met and they are satisfied with their services and products.
I am most proud of my company because I, a black girl from the projects of Atlanta started it from the ground up by myself with nothing but a dream, very little money in the bank and no clue as to what I was doing. Who would have thought 20 years ago as a 14 year old depressed teen mother growing up in alcoholic and abusive household that I would one day become a college educated, successful business owner? The world may have counted me out back then but I never stopped rooting for myself. I knew that there was a purpose for my life and my story would turn into one of resilience and success. I am very proud of where Pure Bella is going and I’m extremely thankful to those who continue to support and encourage me on my journey.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a firecracker, period! Lol, I had all of the personality in the world. I loved to sing and dance at the neighborhood church. That was my outlet from my home life. That was the one place I could go and be a kid. I kinda stayed in trouble for always having to have the last word but if i felt like i was right, you were going to hear me out! Lol. I didnt have much of a childhood as I became a mother in the 8th grade. But overall, I think I was a pretty cool kid.
Contact Info:
- Address: Pure Bella Spa
3290 Memorial Dr.
Suite b4
Decatur, GA 30034 - Website: www.iampurebella.com
- Phone: 404-228-1621
- Email: purebellaspa@gmail.com
- Instagram: @purebellaspa
- Facebook: Pure Bell Spa
- Yelp: Pure Bella Spa
Image Credit:
Holland Reid Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
