Today we’d like to introduce you to Bianca ‘Mz. Bee’ Lee.
Bianca, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My journey in the field of beauty actually began… ironically enough… when I was singer. Yes, I was a Chicago recording artist and musician, having toured with groups, choirs, rendered background vocals, recorded solo projects, written songs and co-produced albums. Needless to say, this was my entire life at the time. So much so that, it started to feel like more of a job than something that I loved to do. I needed something that brought me peace and serenity… something that would quiet the noise of the hustle and bustle from the music industry. That place of peace, for me, was the field of beauty. I remember as a young girl, watching my mother and aunt practice on their mannequins during their time in cosmetology school. I would mimic them and practice styling hair using those same mannequins when they weren’t working with them. I practiced just as much as they would to the point that I learned practically everything that they learned. I would, also, go to their salon jobs and sit the entire day… watching and memorizing everything that I saw… being totally fascinated with their abilities to sculpt and create something so beautiful from what was once mangled, tangled and dirty. I would think of how cool it would be to, one day, design so many styles or formulate so many different colors on my own… the beauty industry became my escape. Until I was completely lost in it… and I have never been more happy or fulfilled. Now, 21 years later and having opened (2) salons, I feel I’ve only just begun.
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?
OMG, this journey hasn’t been a cake walk… not by far. One of the biggest struggles that I’ve had to face along the way was… self-doubt. I wondered if this were something that was a whim or hobby and if I were just bored with life and simply wanted to “try” the next thing. I mean, I was a recording artist for Pete’s sake. Who, in their right mind, gives up a music career to style hair for a living?! THIS girl, that’s who! I, absolutely, love the looks on my client’s faces after their new look is revealed. There’s NO amount of money that can buy that feeling. Or, when a client comes into the salon after having gone through a traumatic hardship and don’t know where else to turn. There’s something so gratifying when they trust me enough to sit with them, talk with them, pray with them and encourage them enough for them to see a different vantage point and take on life’s matters with a whole new perspective. Or, if they feel less than beautiful, leaving my salon having a feeling of royalty… with the demeanor of a queen… those moments are worth every struggle that was faced because, otherwise, I wouldn’t have had the honor of witnessing any of the priceless moments. Any other struggle, whether financial or emotional, losing support, being told ‘No’…Well, those come with the territory, love. It’s not easy being an entrepreneur… especially a woman entrepreneur… however, it’s not impossible. I was hungry… I HAD to reach my goal and wasn’t going to stop until to did.
To my lovelies, that have a desire to embark on your own journey just as I did, I say to you… GO FOR IT!! No matter what your situation looks like, no matter what the nay-sayers think… if you want it, go after it. It’s yours for the taking. Decide what it is you’d like to pursue, do your research on what it’ll take to achieve it, write every detail of your goal down and add a timeline (dates that you will give yourself to complete each task), execute each one from the least difficult to the most difficult and I guarantee, you will accomplish what you’ve set out to accomplish. The only thing that could stand in your way is YOU! Don’t be your own hindrance, love. You deserve it… go and get it.
What should we know about Beauty by Mz. Bee Salon Studios? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a Master Cosmetologist which means that I am skilled in every area of beauty, however, my ULTIMATE niche is coloring and cutting hair, as well as, specializing in total hair and scalp health (more specifically, the prevention of hair loss, hair thinning, hair shedding and breakage). When I’m sought after, 90% off the time, it’s going to be for one of these services. I, absolutely, love creating transformations… giving completely different looks and taking a client’s overall style to the max.
As a brand, I’m most proud of the fact that everything that we do… EVERY SINGLE THING… is done out of pure love. There are no other motives behind what we do other than the love for the art and the love for the people. At Beauty by Mz. Bee Salon Studios, we’ve created a place where EVERYBODY belongs and through us, they will learn to love and believe in themselves. The thing that sets us apart is the fact that we’re centered around that concept and nothing else. We bring light to dark places of life, we bring peace to chaos, we bring joy to pain… we invest in the wholistic beauty of our clientele family. We don’t just LOOK beautiful… we are beautiful!
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
The women that have inspired me in my life… my late Grandmother, Bessie Lee Gardner (my mother’s mother)… I learned everything that I needed to learn about being an entrepreneur from her. She was the epitome of strength, courage and wisdom. I’m blessed if I could be a fraction of the woman that she was. Next, my mother, Joy Turner-Brown… my mother taught me what it means to work hard no matter what obstacles life throws at you. She taught me that there are no excuses. If you want it bad enough, you will do what you have to do and sacrifice anything that you must to ensure that you reach your goal. Next are my aunts, they remind me that family is everything. Family will always be cheering you on even when the cold world turns it’s back on you. You will always have a family full of love and warmth backing you no matter what.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4651 Flat Shoals Road
Unit 6B
Union City, GA 30291 - Website: www.BeautybyMzBee.com
- Phone: 708-762-6447
- Email: beautybymzbee.bl@gmail.com
- Instagram: @BeautybyMzBee_ATL
- Facebook: Beauty by Mz Bee Salon Studios
- Twitter: @BeautybyMzBee
- Other: www.StyleSeat.com/i/BeautybyMzBee
Image Credit:
Jerrold Daniels Photography
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