Body Positive Salon
Babydoll Beauty Couture
Full-service salon located in Las Vegas, NV
Website: www.babydollcoutureglam.com
Facebook: Babydoll Beauty Couture
What inspired you to create your business?
What inspired me to create my business was the discrimination that I suffered in the workplace and in the beauty industry. I was judged by my appearance often and not by my talent. I was ridiculed, bullied, and very mistreated at beauty salons. I had a horrible experience where I actually broke a salon chair getting my hair done and that was it for me.
I knew I wasn’t the only plus size women that went through this so I decided to invest all of my money into this vision and dream of a safe haven that supports body positivity!
Tell me about how you got started.
I got started back in 2013 where I had my first salon located in Winnetka, California. I have never been more proud of myself and all my doubters and nonbelievers need to stay tuned!
How has your business evolved over the years?
My business has evolved tremendously and Vegas has been very good to us. We are actually working on our very first reality TV show for a major network and I’m super excited for the future!
Why do you think it’s so important to cater to the plus size woman?
I think it’s very important to cater to the plus size women because the world kind of forgets about us and really don’t want to be seen. At my salon, we see you and we cater to you. We are safe and glamorous and gorgeous and fun and it’s just an amazing experience.
What are your core values in business and why?
Customer service is definitely number one. I value each and every customer that walks into my salon because I know that they believe in my dream and I want to make sure that they have the best experience we can offer. I love my customers like my family and it’s very important to me that they are satisfied and happy before they leave.
What distinguishes you from other companies?
Most companies are about money, but I care more about the people – the client. I want to make sure they have an amazing time and experience.
Not everyone can be successful in the retail world. What would you say contributed to your success?
I feel like people see my dedication. They see me as a 500 pound woman not letting my weight stop me from following my dreams and aspirations in life. I feel that that inspires them and I have a message to deliver and I feel they get that.
What are some of the challenges that you experienced catering to plus women?
I feel that there are no challenges that I’ve experienced personally catering to plus size women. Everybody is treated like royalty when they come to my salon. They leave feeling even better than when they came in and that, to me, is priceless.
Tell me about your own personal journey to loving your curves.
I have been big my entire life and I have always been very confident. To me, I thought it was normal. It wasn’t until my teenage years when people started teasing me and made me feel like something might be wrong with me. However, I always pushed through and still lived my best life despite all the scrutiny.
I love my body and I love myself. I know my worth and I will never settle for anything less than what I deserve and I hope to deliver that message to other plus size woman who may feel that they’re not worth anything. You are worth everything; you are a diamond.
Do you have any suggestions for curvy women on how to look great and feel confident?
My suggestions for curvy woman on how to look great and feel confident is to love your body and your curves no matter what society says. Put on a fierce lipstick and tackle the day.
Tell us a little bit about your early days and starting your own business – what types of challenges did you face and tell us a little bit about how you overcame them.
Being the oldest of four children was very hard and being put into foster care at the age of 13 through 17 was even harder. That was a very dark time in my life, but I had to remain confident and creative and it became very healing for me.
My passions in life are fashion, beauty, and music and I am literally living my dream by staying focused and keeping my eyes on why and what I’m doing all of this for. This is for the people; the women who have been discriminated against – suffering from low self-esteem. Women who feel that they’re not worth anything. Women who’ve been abused. Women who need to just come and get a good mani/pedi in a safe space. All of this is for you.
What tips do you have for other women who may be interested in starting their own business, or women entrepreneurs in general?
They should definitely write a business plan out and put their dreams on paper because dreams become goals and goals become attainable. Stay focused on the prize! Let no one stop you.
What kind of feedback have you received from your customers?
My customers absolutely love the salon. They say they feel like they’re in a palace and their needs are catered to. They absolutely love the experience and that just melts my heart. All I do is for them – the late nights, early mornings, multiple sacrifices – it’s all worth it in the end.
What are your future plans for your business, and are there areas you’d like to expand?
My future plans for Babydoll Beauty Couture is to open up a shop in New York on Rodeo Drive and on in Texas. I want to move my Las Vegas location to the strip. I’m super excited and speaking these dreams into existence because all I do is for you!