Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty and cosmetics but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Shirley Marin, Founder and Director of Unyozi Beauty- Permanent Makeup & Scalp Micro, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm Shirley Marin, founder of Unyozi Beauty. Your beauty expert in Permanent Makeup Scalp Micropigmentation and Medical Pigmentation. I've been in the industry of Cosmetic Tattooing for around seven years. I love everything about it, from meeting wonderful new customers to seeing their happy smiles when leaving my clinic.
My background revolved around Hairstyling, and it wasn't until I moved to Canada that my journey with Micropigmentation started. Our Permanent Makeup and Scalp Micropigmentation services help everyone to reimagine beauty standards and build confidence within themselves. PMU includes the usual treatments for Eyebrows, Lips, and Eyeliner you see today. Medical Micropigmentation includes Scar Camouflage, Vitiligo Re-Pigmentation, Scalp Micropigmentation, and Areola Micropigmentation.
I personally find the benefits of Micropigmentation incredible in how it can boost someone's confidence. Scalp Micropigmentation camouflages hair loss and gives men a new hairline or women an illusion of thicker hair; it can make them look much younger, taking 10 to 20 years off. It's all about putting a big smile on someone's face. When individuals experience hair loss, it affects how they see and feel about themselves. I work with patients to reduce their fear of hair loss and take them on a journey that includes education about the options, advice, and support in making choices and ultimately being able to face the world more positively and confidently.
As a Micropigmentation Artist, I'm not trying to change my client's appearance. Instead, I always aim toward enhancing their natural beauty so they feel comfortable in and out. Achieving the most natural results is important, so their Micropigmentation looks natural to me.
Tell us about yourself
I came across Cosmetic Tattooing (Permanent Makeup & Scalp Micropigmentation and Medical treatment) through a beauty conference when I moved from Spain to Canada. What motivates me every day is helping my clients regain their confidence through my skills. I wouldn't change anything to stop doing what I do.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Well, during the pandemic, many beauties business was impacted in Toronto. Constantly with lockdowns. It was hard to maintain positive while the news only made you feel worried, anxious, and depressed. In my role as owner and artist of Unyozi Beauty, I decided to rent temporarily in different areas to maintain my business alive. Not only for that but also for my mental health rather than being locked at home. I decided to go out there and keep going.
At that time, my assistant stayed at the clinic, helping me with all the booking while I was in Richmond Hill and Burlington seeing clients. We were busier than ever, and I barely had time for lunch. By the end of the day, my assistant and I were exhausted. We had to be very efficient at work to make sure that we wouldn't get overwhelmed. The most important part of making this work was being proactive and always keeping positive. During the total lockdown, I used this time to create a lot of content and update my website. By the end of the pandemic, we managed our calendar to be fully booked for five months ahead at our location in Toronto for the reopening.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest challenge as a beauty business owner, I think, is dealing with the unknown. Especially in the beauty industry, each client is a unique challenge for me. Business is never predictable; no matter how prepared you are, there will always be obstacles. What I have learned is taking one thing at a time and find things that make sure feel good and charge energies to continue.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The truth is you will never be ready 100%. The best is to find what you are best at and what you aren't, rather than tackle all challenges and try to solve them yourself. I think this is one of the mistakes many entrepreneurs make when opening a business first time. One of the things I applied to my business and especially myself is to have a routine in place because this helps you into the right mindset each and every day. Growing your business, for me personally, is finding good customers. Why do I say that? Because having good customer makes your day goes smoothly. Good customers build your business, and the bad customer will always try to liquidate your business. One of the biggest mistakes we can make in a business is to treat our customers as our best friends.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I would say competition is the next challenge you will face when starting a business. Most people see competition as a plague, but I see competition as a good challenge to grow and improve your business. Rather than worry about what your competitor is doing, instead, focus on what makes your company special and why your business stands out above the crowd. If you work hard to make your company truly unique and offers value to customers, you will get loyal customer regardless your competitor is offering lower prices.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://unyozi.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/torontoscalpmicro
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unyozibeauty/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirleymr/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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