Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Anne Butchko.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have been in love with all things beauty related for as long as I can remember. I was always caught playing in my moms makeup, painting my nails, walking around in her heels all before the age of five. I would stay up late at night to watch Alexis Vogel infomercials. I was so intrigued with the power of makeup and seeing the celebrity before and afters. Alexis Vogel and Pamela Anderson were my own version of Mario and Kim K growing up. When I was seven my dad surprised me and bought me an entire professional makeup kit, he could tell at such a young age I found something I absolutely adored and could spend all my time doing. I would spend hours just playing in makeup and putting it on my cousins and friends who were all older than me. I was always the youngest friend/family member in the group but always the go to person for anything beauty related. Whether it was a recommendation, or someone needed their nails painted/makeup done. Unfortunately, when I was 16 I lost my dad, its the toughest thing I’ve ever gone through. He was my best friend and my biggest support system, never would he tell me my makeup looked bad or made fun of me for trying the craziest eyeshadows. My mom and aunts on the other hand weren’t so accepting, I was 10-11 years old wearing way too much makeup and did my own fake nails. My teachers would even say it was “inappropriate”. Thankfully my dad never cared, I was always free to express myself. At the age of 17 I was lucky enough to apprentice at a nail salon during half of the school day to receive school credit and a License. After graduating high school, I attended Douglas J Aveda in Chicago and received my Esthetics License. From there my love for all things esthetics grew more than I could ever imagine. From facial and body waxing, threading, tinting, lash lifting, skincare, and of course more makeup. At 19, I made the move from Glendale Heights to Lincoln Park, I had just gotten a Job offer at The Benefit Boutique on Armitage as a Beauty Artist, then Aesthetician. I’m forever grateful for everything I learned and the friendships I made at Benefit but after some years, I knew I wanted to be my own boss. I was always very confident in all my lines of work but I was hungry for more. One day my cousin had gotten her eyebrows microbladed, before this whole craze popped up. I was so amazed at her results and how natural they were, it was something I knew I wanted to have in my arsenal. After completing a few courses and feeling very comfortable and confident I knew it was time for me to open BBArtistry_Spa. I would finally be able to do all the services I love, on my own time.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Absolutely not. Nothing worth having comes easy. I was only 22 when I started BBArtistry_Spa, I had no idea what I was doing. I knew how to make people look and feel beautiful but as far as legalities and everything I was clueless and terrified. I was my biggest obstacle along the way, I’m grateful to have wonderful family and friends who would tell me how great I was and that I could do it and to just do it, and to not be afraid of the outcome. But it took me a while to believe in myself. I am my biggest critic, if I can’t execute things perfectly on the first try I tend to think I’m not good enough or I’ll start comparing myself to others. At 23 I am still learning how to completely love myself, and to not compare myself to everyone else. It’s difficult when in this day in age you get judged off of how many “likes” and “shares” you can get and not on the actual content of your work. So, my biggest piece of advice is to just be original. Don’t try to be someone who you think people will like better, be you. Be someone who you can be proud of. Don’t try to just fit in with society, there’s a place for everyone and enough success to go around. And to give yourself goals, constantly. Just try not to get hung up on timelines, everyone is running their own race.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into BBArtistrySpa story. Tell us more about the business.
I’m an Esthetician who specializes in all things beauty, but am known for Microblading, Facial & Body Waxing, Tinting, Makeup, and Lash Lifts. Microblading is a semi-permanent eyebrow tattoo. I take a handheld tool and lightly scratch hair like strokes onto the skin with pigment. I use pigment vs ink because over time ink can change colors and become a greenish blue, sometimes reddish purple. 4-6 weeks after your initial appointment your brows will need a touch-up. After your second session, your microblade should be touched up every 8-12 months due to fading of the pigment. I also perform all facial and body hair removal, whether its waxing, threading or tweezing. Tinting is a vegetable-based dye (like henna) used to darken the eyebrows and eyelashes for about 4-6 weeks. Lash lifting is a semi-permanent lash curl, your lashes will be perfectly curled, water and makeup proof for 6-8 weeks. I take pride in the fact that I was able to open BBArtistry_Spa at 22, but most of my pride is in my work, my keen eye for detail. My work and work ethic sets me apart from others. I will spend hours making sure I and my client are absolutely in love with their end result, no matter the service. Also, my endless hunger for knowledge in my field and keeping up to date with the best products on the market. At 23, I’ve accomplished what others only dream of. I’m proud of the fact that I know I’m still growing as a business and as a person. My journey has just begun.
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
Absolutely, I personally would like to point out that women are well positioned for anything they put their mind to. Especially in the beauty industry, women know what they like and expect when receiving a service, making it easier to know how to run a successful business with a full day of clients and how those clients expect and deserve to be treated while being able to fill any role that their business demands.
Pricing:
- Microblading First Session -$350 Touch up – $150
- Makeup Application – $80
- Eyelash Lift – $75 with Tint – $100
- Brow Wax and Tint – $35
- Brow Thread – $24
Contact Info:
- Address: 2860 N Broadway St Chicago, IL 60657 Suite 28
- Website: www.bbartistryspa.com
- Phone: 630-915-9037
- Email: bbartistryspa@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bbartistry_spa
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bbartistry_spa
- Other: www.bbartistryspa.genbook.com
Image Credit:
Barbara Anne Butchko
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.
