Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel Dumas.
Angel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey getting into the beauty industry started when I was 12-13 years old. I had an aunt and uncle who was in cosmetology school and later became licensed hairstylists. When I saw how much they loved doing hair and how much fun it was, I knew I wanted to be in the industry. I liked the freedom of being able to do your own thing. I always knew other professions just wasn’t it for me. As I dabbled in hair as a teenager, I came to the conclusion that hair wasn’t for me. I got discouraged because I couldn’t braid for the life of me (lol) to do quick weaves and sew ins and I was afraid of cutting and coloring someone’s hair wrong and it not coming out how the client wanted it. So I started looking into Nails. I figured it’s still fun, I can be creative and it’s easy to fix if I messed up. So I decided when I graduated high school, I was going to enroll into cosmetology school to become a licensed nail tech. But, once I got out of high school, I found myself working a call center job and going to college for business. Over time life took over and I ended up working in call centers bill collecting and I did that for ten years! During that time, I had a baby and the bills had to be paid so that’s what I did. Even went to college for a second time for something I wasn’t interested in. Becoming a nail tech and possibly a salon owner was still on my heart and mind. I ended up losing my job bill collecting and that’s when the opportunity came for me to enroll into cosmetology school. So I went to school, graduated and got licensed!
While in school, I got pregnant and had another baby. So I still didn’t get to working and building a clientele right away. I stayed home for a while and even worked another call center job and in the meantime, I just worked on family and friends mastering my craft. About two years after having my baby, I finally went to working in a salon and building a clientele. And then about a year later, I got married and me and my family moved to Georgia from Ohio.
Once we settled in Atlanta, while working another call center job (lol) after about six months, I started scouting out salons to work in. I got my Ohio cosmetology license transferred to Georgia and once I was approved, I quit that call center job and haven’t looked back! I worked in several salons building a clientele, just trying to get my name out there. In 2019, I decided to go back to school to become an esthetician. I was working in a salon that I had been working at for four almost five years and right when I started school the salon closed for business. So I ended up working at a new salon that was opening. Which ended up being good for me. It was closer to home and school. Then in 2020, just a month away from graduation Covid hit! School shut down as well as the salon I was working in. I ended up having to graduate two months later past my graduation date. But, I finally finished and got licensed. Then towards the end of 2020, I started my plan to leave the salon I was working at and become a salon suite owner which I opened March 2021! I wanted to be able to offer both types of services and the salon I was working at wasn’t equipped for me to be able to do both. Me and the owner was trying to figure out how we could make it work but it just wasn’t enough space for the extra services and equipment that was needed. I couldn’t let my schooling or the money I spent go to waste so it was time for me to go out on my own. And that’s how Angel D. Beauty Nails & Skintique was born!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building a clientele is a struggle all by itself! Lol. And that’s really the only struggle I’ve had, with coming from another state and no one knowing you. It’s a little harder than being in your hometown. So, it hasn’t been too bad but definitely not easy. Just a little bumpy.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a dual nail tech and esthetician license holder. I did nails for ten years and just recently added in esthetics to the mix. I mainly specialize in acrylic nails, trendy nail art including bling nails, pedicures and facials and little waxing. I’m most proud of just how far I’ve come in the industry and where I’m continuing to go. I think what sets me apart is that I offer double services that comes along with great customer service, a bomb ass atmosphere and just making my clients feel and look bomb!
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
At the beginning, I was into Clubhouse picking up gems whenever I could but I haven’t checked in in a while due to me watching a lot of webinars and doing trainings for esthetics and just really expanding my learning for skincare and what products to use and things like that.
Contact Info:
- Email: @angeldbeauty29@gmail.com
- Instagram: @_angeldbeauty
