Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Owens.
So, before we jump into specific questions about your business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve always loved nails, hair, makeup, skincare, and everything beauty! For several years, I thought about where and how I could fit into the industry. I would sit and practice different make up trends on myself but was not confident enough to try out my skills on others even though I was asked to. I even took a course from a local makeup artist which I learned a lot fun techniques from. Then I thought about wardrobe styling and esthetics school but again, the fear of not being able to perform the services up to my expectations for others is what kept me from moving forward. I began to think it was far-fetched and out of reach because I did not have the background or experience and this thing called fear kept stepping the way.
I earned my BBA and MSM with a concentration in Human Resources Management and worked several years in the HR field. Unfortunately, I was part of a reduction in force while working for city government. We were experiencing a time where unemployment was at a high throughout the country even for educated and experienced individuals such as myself. This caused me to shift my career and way of thinking. While sitting at home and trying to figure out what to do I answered an ad and found my way into the financial services profession. This was a bit different from my HR experience and love for everything beauty but I found a way to marry the two!. With my licenses and designations I am able to perform certain functions that I previously did while in HR. I get the opportunity to work with business owners to set up proper group insurance benefits and retirement plans while partnered with a triple A, fortune 100 company.
After being in the financial services industry for 7 years, the thought of everything beauty would still cross my mind. As I commuted daily to my Dunwoody office I noticed an area that appeared to be under construction. One day I decided to drive over to see what was happening and that is when I started to put a plan in place. I saw there was a lot of potential in the growing Doraville/Chamblee area. What I liked most was how central and accessible the area was to Buckhead, Perimeter, Tucker and more. I decided to take a leap of faith and jump into my opportunity. I didn’t exactly know where to start but with some research, my business background and my love for the industry would help to lead me in the right direction. I knew that overall the beauty industry was a multi-billion dollar industry and during my research I found the nail industry to be a nearly 15 billion dollar industry in itself and growing daily. In this moment, everything felt so right. I knew that I spent time and resources on my nails every 2-3 weeks and the location seemed to be perfect.
Has it been a smooth road?
Initially, everything fell into place quickly so I continued to move forward with putting all the pieces to the puzzle together for my project. I locked in my location, polled friends on a name (which they had no idea the project was for me), and hired an architect within in weeks. Getting the official drawing put together was fairly smooth because I already knew how I wanted the layout to look. I actually drew out my vision and they were able to perfect it and make sure everything would be up to code.
After a quick and smooth start I ran into my first road block. Since the area did not have any other nail shops nearby or in the pavilion where we are located – I was denied by the city because the area was not properly zoned. After an appeal and court hearing with city officials and Doraville residents we were able to get zoned properly and move forward to the next step with Dekalb County. However, with all of the new projects taking place it took nearly 9 months for my approvals to be officially complete and allow me to move forward with the buildout. In total I was delayed for over 1 year waiting for hearings proper zoning, and approvals. At this point, I was a bit discouraged but I decided to move forward. I knew that anything worth having is worth working hard for.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Pink Martini Nail bar has been open for one month and we are continuing to grow each day!
We are a modern trendy boutique style nail bar. We specialize in trendy nail art and embellishments as well as natural nail care services. We also have a pedicure and manicure specifically for men. We know that nail services are a luxury and that is why our first goal is to give our clients exactly what they want in a nice, clean, relaxing environment. We want our clients to feel comfortable and relaxed while enjoying their luxury.
We are nothing like the traditional nail salons. We have a cozy, yet elegant set up. We only use top end professional products, and we have a team who really takes the time to deliver an extraordinary experience.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes, it is! The Atlanta area has enough for everyone to flourish. Metro Atlanta is continuously growing. So having something that is a bit different fits in well with the growing population and culture. We hope to see you at Pink Martini Nail Bar very soon!
Contact Info:
- Address: 6035 Peachtree Rd. C-211, Doraville, GA 30360
- Website: www.pinkmartininailbar.com
- Phone: 470-359-5914
- Email: hello@pinkmartininailbar.com
- Instagram: @pinkmartininailbar
- Facebook: @pinkmartininailbar
Image Credit:
Kevon Richardson Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
