Life and Work with Christina Franklin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Franklin.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Christina. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Hiya! I am an only child from a middle-class family that grew up in the vacation mecca’s of Destin and Orlando, Florida. I am asked all the time, what was it like living at the beach and close Disney… my response. Crowded.

My passion for all things beauty began in the ’80s when I was just a kid, although my Barbie’s never fully appreciated my talent back then. I was always being asked to do my friends hair and makeup for events or even just for school. But the journey into this industry became a reality in 1998 when I started Cosmetology school and then again in 2008 when I was learning to be an Esthetician (skincare). I am always trying to further my education and position in this industry. Education in this industry is what sets us apart and makes us more valuable, as mentors and teachers for our clients.

My life purpose is as a Healer, through the beauty industry as a way for me to help other women see themselves as I see them. For the beautiful women, they are!

Mirror Mirror Beaute Bar began in September 2012, after myself and my business partner aka “work wife” decided to venture out on our own following the abrupt closure of the Salon and Spa we were working at. We were very blessed to be able to retain our clients and during the six weeks, MMBB salon was being built out we were fortunate to work out of another salon in the area. I also traveled and went to clients homes providing waxing and eyelash extension services.

Over the course of the past six years that Mirror Mirror Beaute Bar has been open, we have remodeled and expanded three times to allow for more stylists to work in a stress-free and zero tolerance for cattiness salon environment. We have worked so hard to maintain a positive reputation in the area which is the main reason for our success!

In September 2017, I was hospitalized from a stress-induced severe Ulcerative Colitis flare. Something I had never experienced in my life and would not wish upon anyone! Before I became sick I was training to compete, worked out 6 days a week and ate clean. When I left the hospital I weighed 112lbs and was skin and bones, I needed assistance to even step up onto a curb, and I had to retrain myself how and what I could eat. Eliminating stress triggers has been a huge part of where I am today with my health. And the support of my family, friends and even my clients who are all friends to me. My sons were my ultimate motivation to regain my health back and show them that no matter what hand you are dealt, you can rise above it!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
What’s that saying, “if it’s easy, I don’t want it”! Or something like that? This journey has not been easy by any means, there are not many businesses that began from two women who had only worked together previously for 10months; were able to open up a salon together(debt free) that has been open for the past 6 years and despite the many ups and downs in their professional and personal lives..can still say they are great friends and can make each other laugh every day without saying a word. When I graduated esthetician school I made a five-year goal for myself, to open my own salon. No matter the size or stylists I had… just the fact that it was my own. I set that goal in 2009 and Mirror Mirror Beauty Bar opened in 2012! So, there is no reason for anyone to say that they can’t do something

Please tell us about Mirror Mirror Beaute Bar.
People ask me all of the time which job I prefer and honestly, I do not have a preference. I enjoy that each day is different no matter what I have scheduled. As a Master Hairstylist for 22 years, I enjoy doing all hair color from highlights and baby lights to full-on color corrections. Skincare for me will always have my heart though! As a young adult, I suffered from severe cystic acne, which was a driving force for me becoming an Aesthetician. A huge part of my following are teenagers and young adult women who are suffering from the same acne I had. So, I am drawn to helping and teaching these Beaute’s on how to properly care for their skin and what causes the breakouts based on where they are occurring. As the “Eyebrow Queen” of the suburbs, I have not met an eyebrow that I cannot tame. When a woman who has struggled with her eyebrows comes to me and sees just how much time and care I put into their brows, they leave their appointments with the biggest smile! I am also a certified eyelash extensionista and a professional makeup artist. I have worked on video shoots, webcasts, and magazine print as well as numerous weddings.

What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
The best advice I could give would be, don’t let fear keep you from achieving your dreams! Make a plan and set your goals… don’t get down if you run into hiccups, that’s life! Maintain focus on what you want and you will achieve it

Contact Info:

• Address: 3734 Cedarcrest Road
  Suite 110
  Acworth, GA 30101
• Website: www.mirrormirrorbeautebar.com
• Phone: 404-402-7533
• Instagram: Cicimmbb

Image Credit:
Jennifer Lites Photography

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