Today we’d like to introduce you to Bre Nicole.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Bre. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
So, I began my journey to entrepreneurship about three years ago when I decided to quit my job as a middle school teacher. It all happened so fast. My entire life I listened to my parents and followed the blueprint to how life is “supposed” to play out – college, career, retire. I struggled throughout college and never really had a passion/motivation for my studies. I really just used to “be there”. While I was working at the middle school, I was miserable, bland, and broke. Throughout college, I worked as a restaurant waitress and bartender. So, I decided to use my skill and apply to a nightclub in Atlanta as a bartender in order to make more money. I was completely exhausted living this double life. One day, the owner of the nightclub asked me what I do during the day. I was always rushing -coming in late, always trying to leave early to get more sleep (being that I had to be up at 5 am the next morning), and avoiding mid-week shifts.
I explained to him how miserable I was at my 9-5 so he said, “what is it that you really want to do.” It caught me off guard but it got me to thinking about my passions I had buried due to having to go to college or being told that wasn’t practical. Having been into all things beauty my entire life (I love lashes and I was always the go-to person for my friend’s application of strips, lol), I declared that I want to have a beauty company. I began researching, planning, saving, and writing everything down. He really motivated me to follow my dreams with his story and support as a mentor. He was opening a new nightclub and offered me the position of office manager where I would be able to make more money and have more free time to build my business. I quit my job and took advantage of this offer. I also soon became a bottle waitress at this same club which also funds my businesses. Everyone around me was very confused at this new path I was taking because it didn’t make sense to them. Bottle waitress vs teacher, side hustle vs. career… it just didn’t match up. But blindly, I took the leap and began my new journey.
Fast forward, I have now built “The Glamour District” with services of lash extensions and brows and products of hair extensions and cosmetics. I obtained my own suite off Howell Mill and will soon expand to my own salon sooner than later. I built a clientele for The Glamour District pretty fast by stepping out of my comfort zones and doing the leg work – offering free services, researching what attracts a certain clientele, passing out business cards, attending pop-up’s, and keeping my target audience in mind when it comes to pricing, promotion, and new services.
Six months ago, I launched my online business “Pelúxy Official” where I sell and design swimwear and lingerie. Pelúxy was birthed off my passion for body positivity and being comfortable in your own skin. If you have ever had the pleasure of being around me, I am a strong advocate for being “naked.” Lol. Pelúxy actually means “naked” in Thai. I have so many ideas for certain collections that will drop soon for women (and men) of all shapes, sizes, and ages.
Lastly, I created “The Boss Movement”. This is a platform for entrepreneurs and creatives, mainly targeting millennials, to shine exposure on their small businesses and ideas. Also to gain insight on the entrepreneurial journey via my e-books/blogs. The goal of The Boss Movement is for like-minded individuals to “partner in progressing” towards their goals. To gain knowledge and network with those in the same field. Collaboration over competition. I am now able to create an environment for creatives to thrive. It is an all in one for entrepreneurs to engage in taking their brand to the next level, with no pressure. I enjoy putting together these events and pop-up’s because the attendees always leave feeling inspired and with new connections. I also wrote 2- ebooks to help new entrepreneurs. In conclusion, if it wasn’t for the help/insight I had from the nightclub owner, I wouldn’t have had that extra push to actually get started. Most people legit need a reason to begin and a place to start.
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 journey is going to be tough. You will be broke, depressed, lost, and unmotivated at times. The goal is to put in work each day. Especially if you quit your 9-5 to follow your dreams. You will have to work extra hard, step out of comfort zones, and find a mentor. I suggest a mentor because doing it alone allows you to work harder and not smarter. I feel like my journey could have been a little more smooth if I reached out instead of trying to do EVERYTHING myself. Once I started asking for help and advice, it was a little weight lifted off. Everything is a struggle in the beginning stages of entrepreneurship, but a positive mindset will keep you ahead.
Money, of course, will be your main struggle, but investing in yourself will cause a greater reward. Cutting back in certain luxuries will help you have more money for capital.
Knowledge is the second main struggle because what you don’t know will hurt you. You need to be knowledgeable in business -your field, licenses, finances, and the steps to achieving your goals. The earlier you gain that knowledge, the easier it will be to run a real business without wasted time. Learn what it is you need to do in order to be legit and to build, so when it comes to something major, like opening your own store, you won’t have to backtrack.
To me, the real struggle will be your mind vs your heart. You will see, hear, find, and feel negativity and every reason to quit or find an easier way… but keep the goal and passion in mind. Nothing great comes easy. And no one story is the same so don’t compare your journey to another, especially in this social media generation. Social media I believe has created the greatest obstacle because it makes being an entrepreneur seem easy. Always remember, everything posted is exactly what that person wants you to see and social media is not the only way to succeed. Always work your business like Instagram can get shut down tomorrow and the show must go on.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The Glamour District is a one-stop shop for your beauty needs. We specialize in lash extensions, microblading, training courses, cosmetics, and hair extensions. We have flexible hours and affordable pricing. I am most proud of my clientele and the expansion of my company in the past two years. My clients are diverse, hard-working, and extremely supportive. I am very appreciative for them because without clients/customers I wouldn’t be in business. What sets me apart honestly is my pricing. For my work, most people would consider my services “cheap” but I base it off of my experience as a 9-5 boss and the clients I service. I want to be able to make a long term dollar vs a short one. I’m consistently booked and when I decide the time is right, I’ll adjust pricing.
Pelúxy Official is an online swimwear and lingerie boutique. We do allow pickups in the Atlanta area. Pelúxy means “without clothes, naked”. What sets us apart is our platform for body positivity and allowing women to all feel sexy no matter their body type. We have swimwear, lingerie, and models from sizes xs-xxl. I am most proud of the growth with my online business. I just launched in November 2018 and I am already shipping all over the U.S with a few orders in Canada. I can’t wait to drop the custom collections this year, with a campaign dropping soon for the LGBT community as well. This is only the beginning!
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always looking to have fun and go off into my own world. I was into my hobbies, very passionate with my reading and writing, plus I did beauty pageants. I was pretty weird as a child, but the good weird. I had no rhythm, so I couldn’t dance and I was never up to date on what was cool but yet I was still considered “cool.” Being that “different, offbeat” kid made me the butt of jokes amongst my friends and teammates but I feel as if that built my character today. I have always been very silly, bubbly, and creative. I was the biggest Harry Potter fan, I wrote poetry and short stories, and I played sports (cheerleading and track). My parents were very strict so I was raised on discipline and routine, which kept me always working whether it was a job or chores. I landed my first job at 15 and I’ve been going ever since.
Pricing:
- The Glamour District Lash Extensions- GLAM Set $100
- The Glamour District Lash Extensions- Natural Set $85
- Pelúxy Swimwear- $25
- The 2nd Annual “The Girl Boss” Networking Mixer (June 11th) – $10
Contact Info:
- Address: The Glamour District
1735 Defoor Place Suite W
Atlanta, GA 30318 - Website: www.TheBreNicole.com ( redirects you to www.TheGlamourDistrict.com & www.PeluxyOfficial.com )
- Phone: 678-612-9506
- Email: info@thebrenicole.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bre.nicole/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeluxyOfficial/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebrenicole
Image Credit:
swimsuits pics (2) – @jay.lenard, event pics (3) – @fyeimages
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