Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethany Odom.
Bethany, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I was in high school, I lived in a group home. Due to the lack of state funding, I learned how to do everything myself. From hair of various textures to doing nails, and makeup. I wanted to get my feet wet and try them all. In college, I mastered doing my own makeup and lashes from modeling. It’s really how I got started “professionally”. I’ve worked for so many salons doing lashes and brows, as well as handling the marketing and educational side of things. I’m a Microblading and Eyelash Extension instructor, so I was able to meet people from all over the world. I had a student fly in from Nigeria, and she asked me why I worked so hard for someone else to reap the benefits. I never thought about it prior to. I was genuinely just doing something I loved. After putting in so much time and dedication with minimal pay for other brands, I knew I deserved something more for myself. Hence the birth of Aloha Beauty Bar ATL.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I don’t think anyone in the beauty industry knows what a smooth road is, lol.
I’ve had salons be angry that I’m leaving to find something better. It got so bad that I had someone put out false information on me because she was afraid that when I left so would her clientele and students.
As an entrepreneur, it’s always scary to jump out there on your own. When you’re working for someone else, even if you’re working for a little to nothing you guaranteed no there’s going to be some money coming in. When you’re working for yourself, there will be some great months where you make thousands and thousands of dollars. However, there will be some months where you’re trying to figure out how you’re going to break even on rent.
If the road was smooth then it would give me nothing to look forward to.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Aloha Beauty Bar ATL – what should we know?
Aloha Beauty Bar ATL is a traveling Microblading and Eyelash Extension specialized company. We offer both the service as well as the training courses for the service.
We’re known for our $150 lash extension course and our $499 Microblading course.
I’d have to say I’m most proud of the seeds we’ve planted in our students. I know a lot of people that teach the same thing I teach and make way more money. However, I feel like if you’re driven by money then your retention rate is going to be very little when it comes to your students. Every student that I’ve ever taught has left with not only the skill set that they need to be successful but with a smile. They are genuinely happy with me.
I’ve had people come and take my class after paying thousands of dollars to take the same class elsewhere and tell me how they have learned so much more. Hearing things like that motivates me to continue to plant my seeds in others. I can definitely say that that’s what sets this company apart from others.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I can definitely say that my foster mother Debra and my sister JoAnna, and Makeup artists that I’ve gotten the pleasure of working with (Rosalyn of Makeup Artisans and Ro Monroe of Catch the Beats Makeup Studio) played a big role in how I viewed the beauty industry. Every single one of them cared about ethics, as well as customer service. A lot of people in the beauty industry nowadays tend to neglect customer service. I’ve never heard of any of them having a client that was dissatisfied. That’s an extremely important attribute to have in the beauty industry, yet it seems to get neglected.
I can also say that having a supportive boyfriend has helped. Until recently, I didn’t drive for medical reasons. He’s helped me with traveling and has been so supportive of me throughout this entire journey.
Also my friend Tynesia, she played a huge role in motivating me to get Aloha Beauty Bar Started. If it wasn’t for her, I would’ve continued to put my business on the back burner.
Last but not least, my son Legend is a HUGE motivation to be successful.
Pricing:
- $150 Eyelashes Extension Training
- $499 Microblading Training
- $899 Microblading/Microshading Training
- $80 Classic Full Set
- $110 Volume Set
- $120 Hybrid Set
- $250 Microblading
- $1000 Educator Course
Contact Info:
- Phone: 4043992217
- Email: alohabeautybaratl@gmail.com
- Instagram: Whoisbethanyo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlohaBeautyBarATL/
Image Credit:
Geeno Mizelli Instagram @geenomizelli, @dominicfondon
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