Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty and cosmetics but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mallory Doss, owner of Paradise Hair, Makeup, & Airbrush Tanning, located in Kansas City, MO, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Paradise provides hair styling, makeup, & airbrush tanning services. Our main hairstyling and makeup market are bridal. We love being a part of our client's most special moments and helping them feel beautiful and confident.

Tell us about yourself

Since I can remember, I have loved the beauty industry. I remember doing my aunts' and cousins' hair and makeup when they would come over and doing makeup for all my friends for school dances. I definitely never thought I would be able to turn what I loved into a full-time career, but I received an opportunity to work as an assistant to a makeup artist in my hometown while I was in college. Through this experience, I was able to see firsthand how much I loved being in the bridal industry. Once I moved to Kansas City, while I was finishing up my bachelor's degree, I started the business. I then went to cosmetology school after getting my business degree to further my education.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment would definitely be the sweet messages we receive from clients saying how amazing we made them feel. As cliche as that sounds, that is truly what this is all about, our relationship with our clients. We have also received The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame, Best of Weddings Award from 2019-2022, and Wedding Wire Couples Choice Awards for 2019, 2020, and 2022.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is balancing all that needs to be done. A great piece of advice that I have been given is that you have to do a lot of what you don't want to do in order to get to do what you do want to do. While a lot of the administrative tasks are not my favorite, they allow me to pursue my passion which makes it worth it.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Do not give up; adjust. Owning a business can be stressful, but do not lose sight of the things that you love to do when that time comes. If you need to restructure, add/take away services, or take on less work for a time to figure out how to proceed, do that in order to maintain a passion for what you do.
  2. Maintain integrity over profit. Most of the time, you can achieve both. Do what you say you are going to do. Be there when you say you'll be there. Admit when you make a mistake and take responsibility to fix it. Admitting you are not perfect does not make you incompetent; it will make you better.
  3. While some competition is healthy and makes any industry better, do not get too caught up in comparing your business to others. There is plenty of business to go around. Devote the majority of your energy to making your own business great and equipping your team to be the best they can be.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.paradisellckc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paradisellckc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Paradisebeautykc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/paradisellckc/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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