Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Beyers and Ioana Qureshi.
Ioana & Jen met while working at their first wedding together back in 2014. Both appreciated each other’s work so much that they continued to refer each other brides and before they knew it they working at almost every wedding together.
Self-taught, Ioana began her makeup career while working at a reputable salon, part-time, while finishing up her degree from UIC.
After graduating with a degree in psychology, she transitioned into her full-time role as a research specialist while still maintaining a part-time career working for Mac and continued to hone in on her passion for the makeup industry.
While working at an Ad agency on Michigan Avenue, Jennifer was realizing her passion for hair and makeup. She learned to do her own makeup by following the simple “color by numbers” instructions on the back of the eye shadow pallets. Her best friend and room mate, Desiree, quickly caught on to her new found talent and soon Jen was applying her makeup and styling her hair before every social event.
Soon enough, Jen resigned from her corporate desk job to begin a life in beauty, making a real impact in the happiness of others.
After graduating from beauty school and working several years in the salon industry, Jen started “Rare Bird Coach Salon” in Humboldt Park, Chicago.
It was during this time that Jen and Ioana had met and started working together frequently.
In 2015, when Jen was on maternity leave getting ready to have her son, Llewyn, Ioana called her one morning to share a very vivid dream she had the night before. She said “Jen, I had a dream last night that we started our own business together and called it “Rare Bird Beauties”!”
To that, Jen responded, “Yes! Let’s do it!” and that they did.
You can say that Rare Bird Beauties is literally a dream come true for these girls.
After launching in May of 2016, the business quickly grew from a team of 2 to a team of 15 in a matter 2 wedding seasons.
Their team is continuing to grow as demand increases for their on-site wedding & special event services.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
“We absolutely can not look back on the process of starting this business and see anything as a struggle. There were, of course, challenges to overcome and lessons to be learned, but the continued effort is actually what we love the most. Our passion for the industry is what fuels our desire to grow every day.
We would say that the biggest challenge so far, transitioning from artists to business owners, has been learning to look at the industry from a business perspective. It no longer looks like just arriving 0n-location and doing your best work on the clients, it is now managing artists, accounting, networking, marketing, quality control and the list goes on. ”
Jen is a full-time Mom, part time hair stylist behind the chair doing cuts and colors and a business owner. Her son was born 6 months prior to the launch of Rare Bird Beauties. One month after he was born, he was diagnosed with a Rare Syndrome that requires multiple weekly therapies and several specialists.
Ioana maintained a full-time job while planning her own wedding, working weddings every weekend and starting a business.
It goes without saying that these ladies were simply unstoppable in face of anything.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Rare Bird Beauties – what should we know?
Rare Bird Beauties is an on-site hair and makeup company that specializes in Weddings and special events.
We are known for amplifying the natural beauty of our clients. Our brides repeatedly share with us that their number one reason for booking us is due to our ability to make them feel like the best version of themselves without over applying or over styling.
When you inquire with RBB you will be speaking directly with owners Jen or Ioana (as they are extremely hands-on in every aspect of the business) & they will help answer any questions. What makes RBB unique besides our talent as artists are our work ethic and dedication to communicating with our brides and making sure they have the best experience! Our team holds themselves to the highest standard of integrity and authenticity.
Rare Bird Beauties has been featured on the PBS show, Start-ups, webisode.
http://startup-usa.com/webisodes/State-Farm-R/https-youtu.be-7MQqqtiHQX0-rel-0
Chicago Style Weddings Magazine
Modern Luxury Weddings
Stylemepretty
The Best of The Knot and Wedding Wire
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Next Door Chicago Cafe on Diversey Ave. in Chicago provided free entrepreneurial courses that boosted our confidence and provided much-needed business direction.
Our fellow wedding vendors and planners who have continued to refer clients. We truly appreciate kind-hearted camaraderie and support within our industry and between fellow professionals.
Rare Bird Beauties could not be operating at the level it is today without our dedicated team of hair and makeup artists that exude so much talent and charisma in everything they do.
Ioana and I are so grateful for the love and support we have from our amazing family and friends.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1917 W Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647 - Website: www.rarebirdbeauties.com
- Phone: 773-407-1610
- Email: booking@rarebirdbeauties.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rarebirdbeauties
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rarebirdbeauties/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rare-bird-beauties-chicago
- Other: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/rare-bird-beauties-chicago-il-850245
Image Credit:
Found Light Stuidos, Krisjon Photography, Lidia Codrean Photography, Lauren and Chris Photography, Palette of light Photography
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.
