Today we’d like to introduce you to Sierra Gates.
Sierra, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in the westside of Atlanta. My mom was a great mom but a strict one. Growing up, she wouldn’t let me talk to boys and this continued into middle school and high school. So I snuck around and ended up getting pregnant at 15, and my mother didn’t have it. She kicked me out, but I always say she threw me into the jungle and I came back a lion. Because I feel like it was the best thing to happen to me, that’s where I got my start, as far as needing a job. I was always a girly girl and knew how to do makeup. So I went up to this makeup kiosk in the mall in search of a job. The lady said: “‘I need you to do one person as a sample so I can see your work.’” I was in the mall and they wanted me to do a sample interview. Fortunately, one girl I went to school walked past and asked if I could do her makeup. I did her makeup really well, and the lady hired me on the spot. I tell people all the time that it was God.
From the makeup stand, I ended up meeting different dancers and started doing makeup in the back of the strip club. I was 17 when you were supposed to be 18, but I was in the club doing makeup. I was really just hustling. I feel like God had this shield over my life-giving me favor. Even though I was in a bad situation, I was able to grow out of every bad situation I was in.
Then I got a spot at the flea market. I stayed at the back of the strip club for a year. When I was there, I learned and picked up so much. That’s why I don’t look down on women, and I respect everyone’s hustle. I prayed to God and landed in the flea market. I treated it like I was in the middle of the mall and not the flea market. And God started blowing my mind and blessing me. And all praises to God – I went from the flea market and then I got a second location in my neighborhood in the west end, and now I landed on Peters Street and I brought the building.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Yes, I was thinking about the people who were closest to me would help me. But I found people who you don’t know will help you more than the people who are the closest to you. That’s the biggest takeaway I’ve learned on my journey.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Glam Shop – what should we know?
The Glam Shop is a full-service beauty bar, and we do everything from hair, makeup, nails, massages, and lashes. What makes my business different, and what I love about my business is, we treat everyone like their family. This comes from my background.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Customer Service, anyone who has been here says it’s a vibe. They feel like they’ve met the people before because we just uplift anyone who comes through the door. We ask our customers: “‘Hey, how you’re doing? How’s your day? I like your outfit.’” I know going to other businesses people say it was one way. Women can be very cruel creatures. So I try my best to make sure The Glam Shop has a different effect on people.
Pricing:
- Microblading the Sierra Way Pricing $2,000 per person and $6,500 for a one on one class.
Contact Info:
- Address: 237 Peters St SW Atlanta, GA 30313
- Website: https://www.theglamshopatl.com/hop_
- Phone: 678-791-9112
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