Julea Beauty Bar
“Sometimes the people who care about you have to remind you what your passionate about,” says Julianne Mycyk the co-owner of Julea Beauty Bar in Pittsburgh. In interviewing Mycyk and her business partner Leandra Baldwin, Mycyk had the chance to reminisce about the days when the business was just an idea. Now over a year into their dream the owners of Julea Beauty Bar are booked consistently with a loyal clientele which has ranged from proms and weddings to prominent business women and government officials.
The idea was actually from Baldwin who presented it to Mycyk two years ago—who initially blew it off. A year after this, Mycyk finally came around and decided that this was something to pursue. The two have 22 years of cosmetic experience between the two of them, having not only the skill, but the professional training that most make-up artists today lack.
They both exclaimed that there was never a moment where they wanted to quit. Baldwin says, “We never wanted to quit because we knew it was something we wanted.” The risk they took to open up the business has paid for itself, being that with a consistent clientele, the dynamic duo was able to cover business cost with the money that the business was making.
Mycyk and Baldwin admit that going into your own venture is scary due to the fear of failure. There is also a tendency to compare yourself to other individuals in the industry who are being featured for makeup, however Mycyk exclaimed that they have been blessed to work with business woman as their clientele, and even had the opportunity to be featured in magazines for their work. She stated when speaking of other YouTube Make-up Artist, “Yes they may be getting features but are they being booked every week? We’ve had the blessing of being booked with prominent individuals in the community. What other people are doing just doesn’t matter.”
The Julea Beauty Bar offers services for all skin colors and types. The owners believed that they wanted to offer services that cartel to everyone, just not one ethnicity. “I think the thing that sets us apart from others is we don’t cater to one particular type of clientele. We cater to everyone and everybody,” Baldwin explained. From looking at their work, there is a cornucopia of clientele of every ethnicity. The two have a range of talent being able to do make-up on all skin colors and types.
The advice about starting your own business venture? “Do it,” Mycyk stated, “If we can do it, anyone can.” Baldwin exclaimed it’s important to believe in yourself, and although its hard have faith that everything is going to work out. “You have to know that you are going to be doing a lot. People go into business and think of the fun stuff, that you are going into business for yourself. But you have to think of the financials and the book keeping and having responsibility for other people.” They also said don’t pay attention to those who talk negatively about you once your following your dream. “I let it roll off my back, I don’t care,” Mycyk says. Mycyk and Baldwin stated it’s very important to focus on your own business and not to let negativity concern you, and with the success the business has had, it seems that the advice they are giving themselves is work.
The Julea Beauty Bar is looking to expand its services in 2018. If you would like to reach them about any make-up or beauty services reach out to them on Instagram at Julea_BeautyBar and on Facebook at JuleaBeautyBar. Also visit them online at www.julealashbeautybar.com.