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Conversations with the Inspiring Bianca “Mz Bee” Brown-Lee

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Bianca “Mz Bee” Brown-Lee.

Bianca, 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 field of beauty actually began…ironically enough…when I was a singer. Yes, I was a Chicago recording artist and musician, singing since the age of five, having toured with groups, choirs, rendered background vocals, recorded solo projects, written songs and co-produced albums. Needless to say, this was my entire life at the time. So much so, it started to feel like more of a job than something that I loved to do anymore. I needed something that brought me peace and serenity again…something that would quiet the noise of the hustle and bustle from the music industry.

That place of peace, for me, was the field of beauty. I remember, as a young girl, watching my mother an aunt practice on their mannequins during their time in cosmetology school. I would mimic them and practice styling hair using those very same mannequins (when they weren’t working with them, of course). I practiced just as much as they would to the point that I learned practically everything that they learned. I would, also, go to their salon jobs and sit the entire day…watching and memorizing everything that I saw…being totally fascinated with their abilities to sculpt and create something so beautiful from what was once mangled, tangled and dirty.

I would think of how cool it would be to, one day, design so many styles or formulate so many different colors on my own…the beauty industry became my escape. Until I was completely lost in it…and I have never been more happy or fulfilled. Now, 23 years later and having opened (3) salons, I feel I’ve only just begun.

Because of my background in entertainment and, now, having embarked on my salon ownership journey, I have been blessed with opportunities that I couldn’t have ever imagined I would’ve experienced in my life. I have been Associate Producer of a late night talk show and a cast member of a hit reality tv show, Other titles that I’ve acquired are CEO of B.V. Entertainment (An entertainment representation firm), President of One Vizhen Entertainment (Independent Record Label) and Co-Founder of Behind The Scenes Awards and Recognition (Yearly awards and recognition event that highlight business, community and entertainment influencers that are often in thankless but impactful supporting roles). I’ve also created Let’s Bee Real (A platform showcasing Real Women with Real Skills having Real Talk), Getting Down To Business with Mz Bee (A weekly 1hr segment discussing tips, tools and business topics that help entrepreneurial hopefuls and small business owners start and remain in business, fool-proof and fail-proof), Midday Makeover with BBMB (A weekly segment of beauty tutorials and live demonstrations reviewing new beauty products, tools and trends) and, lastly, Mz Bee’s Tea Party (A weekly segment discussing current entertainment event, community news and hot topics). I have combined both backgrounds and am now excited to give my audience the “Power to B.E.E”…Beauty & Entertainment Education.

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?
OMG, this journey hasn’t been a cake walk…not by far. One of the biggest struggles that I’ve had to face along the way was self-doubt. I wondered if this were something that was a whim or hobby and if I were just bored with life and simply wanted to “try” the next thing. I mean, I was a freaking recording artist for Pete’s sake.

Who, in their right mind, gives up a music career to style hair for a living?! THIS girl, that’s who! I, absolutely, love the looks on my client’s faces after their new look is revealed. There’s NO amount of money that can buy that feeling. Or, when a client comes into the salon after having gone through a traumatic hardship and don’t know where else to turn. There’s something so gratifying when they can trust me enough to sit with them, talk with them, pray with them and encourage them enough to see a different vantage point and take on life’s matters with a whole new perspective. Or, if they feel less than beautiful, leaving my salon having a feeling of royalty…with the demeanor of a Queen…those moments are worth every struggle that was faced because, otherwise, I wouldn’t have had the honor of witnessing any of the priceless moments. Any other struggle, whether financial or emotional, losing support, being told “No”…Well, those come with the territory, love. It’s not easy being an entrepreneur…especially a woman entrepreneur…however, it’s not impossible. I was hungry…I HAD to reach my goals and wasn’t going to stop until I did.

To the next generation of Queens preparing to embark on your dreams and entrepreneurial journey just as I did, I say to you…GO FOR IT!!! No matter what your situation looks like, no matter what the nay-sayers think…if you want it, go after it. It’s yours for the taking. Decide what it is you’d like to pursue, do your research on what it’ll take to achieve it, write every detail of your goal down and add a timeline (dates that you will complete each task), execute each one from the least difficult to the most difficult and, I guarantee, you will accomplish what you’ve set out to accomplish. It really helps to have a Coach to be accountable to as well. The only thing that could stand in your way is YOU! Don”t be your own hindrance, love. You deserve it…Go Out And Get It!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Beauty by Mz Bee Salon Studios & Behind The Scenes Awards and Recognition story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a Master Cosmetologist/Cosmetology Instructor which means I am skilled in every area of beauty, however, my ULTIMATE niche is coloring and cutting hair, as well as, specializing in total hair and scalp care (more specifically, Trichology which is the study and prevention of hair loss, hair thinning, hair shedding and breakage). When I’m sought after, 90% of the time, it’s going to be for one of these services. I, absolutely, love creating transformations…giving completely different looks and taking a client’s overall style to the max.

Beauty by Mz Bee Salon Studios, the brand, prides itself on the fact that everything that we do…EVERY SINGLE THING…is done out of pure love. There are no other motives behind what we do other than the love for the art and the love for the clients…our extended family members. At Beauty by Mz Bee Salon Studios, I’ve created a place where EVERYONE belongs and, through us displaying that love, it causes our clients to love and believe in themselves. The thing that set us apart from the rest is the fact that BBMB is centered around that concept and nothing else. We bring light to dark places of life, bring peace to chaos, bring joy to pain… we invest in the wholistic beauty of our clientele family. We don’t just LOOK beautiful…We ARE beautiful!

The other entities are pretty self-explanatory except Behind The Scenes Awards and Recognition. That’s very special and unique as it’s NEVER been done before. Imagine a star-studded evening, celebrating the work and the lives of individuals who work behind those who frequently appear on tv, movies, and magazines. The makeup artists, DJ’s, photographers, videographers, managers, publicists, bodyguards – just to name a few. The people that give their lives but are rarely celebrated. The Behind the Scenes Awards and Recognition event is a literal and proverbial, stage that will show the ‘Stars Behind the Stars’ love and appreciation for their hard work and dedication. The goal of the Behind The Scenes Awards and Recognition events are to honor and celebrate the individuals that make the stars, Stars. To, for only one night, make THEM stars!

It also brings much-needed awareness to every important and intricate individual that work, tirelessly, to make it possible for the entertainment industry as well as local and national communities to operate seamlessly, build national morale within each represented industry; promoting appreciation and gratitude for not only the ambassadors and/or stars in the everyday spotlight but also to exert the same celebratory acts for every person involved in creating excellence, provide both the community and the represented industries to become more familiar with one another, the needs of the community and how the industries can be of better service. Also for the community to become more familiarized with the represented industries and know how much it takes to provide great entertainment, prestigious government and more, possibly, encouraging motivation to the general public that could cause them to choose some of those fields as professional career choices and goals. Every person matters. This platform allows the key players to speak, publicly, about their importance, be heard, and openly appreciated.

With the assistance of corporate sponsors and donors, Behind The Scenes Awards & Recognition provide awards and accolades to all recipients of specified award categories as well as present an entire evening of celebration, honor, and appreciation to ALL for a community-wide, “You’re valued, You’re appreciated and Job Well Done!”

It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
ABSOLUTELY! I am an avid follower of others that have paved the way…whether directly or indirectly…such as my spiritual leaders, Reggie & London Royal, as well as public influencers, Lisa Nichols and Coach Stormy, I am, also, a HUGE lover of books and literature pertaining to my areas of focus to further cultivate and develop my abilities and knowledge. Some of my favorite authors, John C. Maxwell, Robert Kiyosaki, Michelle Obama, DeVon Franklin, Cicely Bland, Drs. Bill & Veronica Winston, Mac Hammond, Julia Cameron…to name a few. My favorite podcast is TED Talk! The absolute best.

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Image Credit:
Jerrold Daniels Photography

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