Today we’d like to introduce you to Christy Bruski.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Christy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am an Elite Hairstylist with over 17 years of hands-on experience behind the chair. Once I discovered I could take my artistic talent and run with it to engage in a career full of opportunities, I refuse to stop!
I have been blessed to have numerous amounts of highlights within my career. I have worked two seasons of New York Fashion week, helped big-name designers show off their collections with hair that rocked the runway, worked backstage behind the scenes, and have had my hands on some of the most high profile models and actors/actresses. Not only do I thrive on keeping my passion alive for my art, but I hope it is contagious within my industry.
I have been so lucky to have been recognized many times beyond the salon’s four walls. I was featured in the Daily Herald newspaper as someone you should know, my work has been featured on sites harmonious to the beauty industry such as Modern Salon and Behind the Chair. Hairstyles I have created has been featured on the Youtube channel Makeover News. I have entered NAHA, one of the most prestigious hair contests for North America, twice, in two categories.
My hair color and cuts have been published in international Hair Magazine, Hair-N-Motion two different times. I continually style for local fashion shows, benefits and photoshoots. I am very thankful for all of the amazing opportunities that have come my way. About two years ago my hair straightener stopped working, which led me to research a replacement.
That is when I took the 17 years of my hairstylist career, past conversations I have had with talented stylists, along with frustrated clients and all of the passion I have for my industry to establish a concept. That’s when I started Christy Bruski, LLC, trademarked the ROYCE® brand and went live with my e-commerce webstore. I decided to develop a hair tool and accessory company that could meet all the demands for both the professional and the consumer.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There has been many forks in the road, tons of potholes, but I have never reached a dead end. One of the biggest challenges I have faced is with time management. To be honest, I have never been great with balancing time between my personal and professional life. Once I started my company I poured all of my heart, soul, well and my personal time clock into it.
Once I began to move into the manufacturing stage that is when I lost all control of timing. The manufacturers I work with are overseas. They are 13 plus hours ahead of our time so it calls for some very late nights/early mornings. Some days my husband would be waking up for work and he would be telling me to get to bed!
One of the most stressful challenges was waiting for the arrival of my first shipment. Being that I launched in November, not only did I market and advertise a pre-launch sale but I marketed the heck out of Christmas being right around the corner. When I was told that the sea freight most likely wouldn’t arrive in time for the holidays because of the port congestion I needed to come up with another plan.
Having many orders in place, knowing they could be Christmas gifts I began to panic. I knew I had to find a plan B. I decided to have a portion of my freight come by air to fulfill the orders. Once the shipment arrived without time to spare, I was blessed to have help hand delivering them to local residences and overnighting the rest. It fell into place, in the end, but I learned that some things are just out of your hands…
ROYCE® HAIR BRAND – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Being a licensed hairstylist, I see a huge gap in our industry’s hair tools. My vision was to develop a hair tool company that could bridge the gap between the consumer and the professional, providing a luxurious end result. Not only being a licenced professional but having lots of education and thousands of hours under my belt I truly understand the scientific makeup of the hair.
I am a firm believer in the integrity of one’s hair and keeping the cuticle of the hair as healthy as possible. After tons of research and studies, I decided to adopt the Tourmaline Ionic Technology for any hot tools that I customize and design. Tourmaline is a gemstone that is ground up and used to cover the plates of our irons, making them more durable and smoother than any other option.
This technology aids in the smoothing process by generating 20 times the amount of moisture-locking ions than any other plate. It seals in the hair’s natural oils, protecting delicate strands from repeated heat exposure. The tourmaline plates leave behind silky, smooth, and shiny hair. I am also a firm believer in having a tool that can give you many options in styling for your end result.
The first hair tool I customized, designed and then launched was a hair straightener and detailer. The Royce® Mercury Series is not only known for its innovative tourmaline ionic technology, but I designed it to deliver the most precision styling capabilities. With its ergonomic bullet shape, it can straighten, flip, wave and curl, leaving the hair silky, shiny, and smooth.
The Mercury series was specifically created for high-quality performance and the ability to deliver a more gentle way to style your hair that lasts all day long. The ERGONOMIC design allows for multiple styling abilities and allows you to get directly to the root, giving you a seamless result. Bullet shape for specific sectioning and details.
Floating plates and the freedom to flex allows the two sides to adjust based on the angle to get as close to each other as possible. The closer the plates get, the more you will be able to clamp the hair correctly and allow for even heat distribution. Reduces hair pull. Universal voltage that can be used anywhere you take it. Quick heat-up in 30 seconds with an adjustable external LED thermostat.
Adjustable heat 265-450°f Automatic shut off in 60 minutes for saving energy and your protection. Has a 10 foot, extra long cord that rotates 360° for you to style from any angle.
The second item to launch was the Royce® Eternal tie-ups. They are customized and designed to be gentle on your hair and cute on your wrist. They are made from super soft, super durable elastic. The eternal won’t bend, tug, crease or get tangled in your hair. The knotted tie-ups are made to accessorize your hair while maintaining the functionality of a classic hair elastic. They even look chic on your wrist.
(I am currently working on the following items that will launch by the of 2018:
1.) Royce Thermal Heat-resistant Iron Case With Detachable Mat. Use For Travel, storage, and while the iron is in use!
2.) The ROYCE® Pearl brush: The Royce Pearl is a 100% genuine Tourmaline-infused luxury hairbrush. It was designed to have a specific combination of ball-tip nylon and authentic boar bristles. The Pearl was customized to penetrate right to the scalp to exfoliate and stimulate circulation to the hair follicles. Brushing with the Pearl is the best way to distribute the natural oils evenly through the hairs’ cuticle.
The air cushion gives a more gentle control and follows the natural contour of the head for high-performance brushing, grooming and blow-dry styling. The design will gently detangle, smooth, and give a static-free finish. The Pearl will leave the hair soft, smooth and with the most lustrous shine. #1 Choice for extension grooming!!
3.) ROYCE® Jayla Marie Hair tie cuff bracelet: ‘ An elegant way to keep your wrist indent-free from hair ties’. Finally, you can carry a hair elastic on your wrist in a way that’s elegant and keeps your wrist indent-free. The Jayla Marie cuff bracelets are made of stainless steel with a shiny metallic finish. They cleverly hold and help disguise hair elastics.
Simply, slip the bracelet on, then slip your elastic over, and secure it in the channel where it will stay firmly put until you are ready to tie your hair back. When you need your hair elastic, it is easily removed and a simple elegant cuff bracelet remains.
From layout to execution, each new hair tool design presents the opportunity to push limits creatively and technically. The results are nothing short of fancy; the practical, trendy designs exemplify cutting-edge technology. It’s more than just a hair tool & accessory, more than just a prestigious brand. It’s imperial!
It is the mission for Christy Bruski and The ROYCE® hair brand to provide value and imperial quality in a hair tool. Each tool is customized with you in mind, the consumer and the professional. From layout to execution, each new hair tool design presents the opportunity to push limits creatively and technically.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
For me, success starts with taking the first step. It means along the way- making sacrifices, being rejected, taking big risks. I believe there are many wins along the way not because I have never failed but because I refuse to quit. On this journey, no matter what may come my way I build success off of staying consistent in my goals. My dad always told me that the hustle is real. He’s taught me that no one owes me anything in life. If I want it I have to go get it myself.
In my first steps to starting the ROYCE® brand, I started with my vision. I then followed with a mission and then short-term and long-term goals. From the first stages of planning and developing ideas until now, I have kept a notebook with me at all times. I frequently check back to make sure I am staying true to my vision and concepts. I am continually adding new ideas and thoughts. It really helps me stay on track!
Pricing:
- • ROYCE® Mercury Series hair straightener & detailer (colors: black, white, & purple) $169 ea
- • ROYCE® eternal knotted hair tie-ups / Set of 5 (colors: Amber Rose & Pink Rose) $9.98 ea
Contact Info:
- Website: www.christybruski.com
- Email: royce@christybruski.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roycehairbrand/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roycehairbrand/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Roycehairbrand
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/roycehairbrand/
Image Credit:
Jinele New – Mimi J’s Photography (www.mimijsphotography.com) (847-668-8664) (mimijsphotography@gmail.com)
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago 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.
