Today we’d like to introduce you to Fele` Yeldell.
Fele`, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up, I would watch my grandmother host Mary Kay spa and makeup parties. I remember our house being the gathering spot where my mom, aunts, and a diverse group of women would come together for the sake of beauty, and they would talk, laugh, play in makeup, and discuss skincare products. It became ritualistic. Watching these women leave our house feeling more confident, relaxed, and secure really sparked my love for the beauty industry early on. Especially as a therapeutic means. But with so many other interests and hobbies, I was not always aware that this was my path.
Fueled by my love to talk and write, I obtained my associate’s degree in Mass Communications in 2016. Although I was unsure of exactly what I wanted to do with my degree, I knew an associates was only going to take me so far, so I quickly jumped into a bachelor’s program while working full time. I became burnt out a few weeks after enrolling and decided I wanted to pursue other dreams of mine. In 2017, I started taking acting classes, self submitting for auditions, started a YouTube, filmed a web series, and submitted my headshots to countless agencies. Things started to take a toll in my personal life, and being a struggling actress just wasn’t something I could financially or emotionally sustain any longer. But being on film constantly called for makeup, and being hyperaware of my skin’s texture and condition. I started following estheticians for tips on handling breakouts and maintaining healthy skin, which re-sparked my love for skincare. December 2018, I decided to enroll in school again, but this time for esthetics.
I enrolled, believing that this was an “easy” path, or at least easier than my previous paths. I enrolled wanting a potential career field that I knew was in a booming industry. I enrolled, knowing that I could go into business for myself. The esthetics program here in GA is 1000 hours, the highest requirements in United States, and while ‘easy’ would never be a word that would even cross my mind to describe this particular path, I will say it has been rewarding. Not only did I become more knowledgeable in skincare, I grew to know myself even more. Skincare, esthetics, and beauty is much more than facials and products. For me, it’s time, care, and attention that you pour into yourself, something I wasn’t doing all those years before I enrolled in school. Thankfully, my sisters at @DaGirlCode_atl salon were already fully operating, braiding and styling hair, when they brought me in as their esthetician, which really gave me the foundation I needed to operate independently. I finished my program in May 2020 and officially opened for business in June 2020. My mission is to introduce skincare to women, men, and teens as a means of self-care, self-awareness, and holistic healing.
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?
“I wouldn’t say easy” and it has not been a smooth road, but it also has not killed me LOL! Just like with any journey, I believe the number one struggle is being consistent. For me, in particular, my journey started with me enrolling in school. There was a constant struggle to be consistent with going to class after working all day or being consistent with studying and completing assignments before their due. Now that I’m out of school and working for myself, it’s being consistent with marketing and promoting myself and my business, and though I’m still getting started, another struggle I can identify is the staying motivated during this pandemic.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Fresh Face by Fele. I offer facials, brow shaping, wax services, lash extensions, and body treatments. I specialize in skin transformations and product knowledge. Clients leave me feeling more fresh-faced, confident, relaxed, and secure.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I think of luck like probability, so I don’t believe that luck has played a role in my life or business. I have been very intentional from the start of my journey and I stay focused on the things that I am passionate about, so I believe that I will get whatever it is that I want, without luck.
I believe that with ‘set’ intentions, because good and bad is subjective to me, consistency, and motivation, then anyone can do or get whatever it is they believe others must have been “lucky” to do, have, or receive.
Contact Info:
- Address: Synergy Suites Atlanta
1735 Defoor PL NW, Ste X, Atlanta, GA 30318 - Website: freshfacebyfele.as.me
- Email: freshfacebyfele@gmail.com
- Instagram: @freshfacebyfele
- Facebook: @freshfacebyfele
- Twitter: @freshfacebyfele
Image Credit:
Destanee Coleman
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