Jumping in with Two Feet

Logo of Vibe-A-Licious Studio

Deciding to open a makeup and hair studio right out of college was definately a bold move. Was it wise? No. But I wanted to at least try. The economy was a challenge and I needed to have a job. Waiting on an apprenticeship was not an option and I had 4 children depending on me to not sit around and wait. Initially the staff consisted of Myself, Megan, Marc, Jacob and Giosué. But when you start a buisness you aren't getting clients immediately, and you have to do everything to start up you start to loose peopole you thought would be your dream team. And there isnt a thing you can do about it when everything is on your shoulders and you cannot allocate certain things to anyone else. You need every ounce of capital to purchase equipment, pay rents, get your marketing done. And without people helping to bring in clientel, there is no money to pay people. Did I blame those who walked away before the doors opened for going their own way?No. but it did suck to loose good people!

Photo of the group together

Megan stuck it out with me through the opening months and then Zeba and Miriam joined. As a team we tried everything we knew to market and get Vibe-A-Licious's name out there. We even took on freelance opportunities to help. What went wrong?

1.The economy changing was the biggest factor, the beauty industry took a hard hit and people started to hold onto their money instead of spend it on services.

2. The location of the studios. Although they were in a beautifully eye catching and busy neighbourhood, there was no access for walk ins. If people tried to find the entrance to the second floor , the door to the second floor elevator was not clearly labelled. It said "office lobby", not elevator to second floor.

3. We also were not allowed any signage on the building or even a sandwich board near the entrances.

4. Because we were working freelance jobs we weren't always in studio, so if people dropped in without making an appointment no one was present.

5. Lastly my health. I began to develop Vertigo before starting a buisness and as things progressed my vertigo episodes began to increase.

   

   Photo of the group together

   

   Photo of the group together

   

   Photo of the group together

   

   Photo of the group together

   

   Photo of the group together

   

   Photo of the group together

   

   Photo of the group together

   

   Photo of the group together

   

   Photo of the group together

   

   Photo of the group together

Its very hard when you try to open a buisness and it doesn't seem to be coming into alignment. So now 6 months later, we are pivoting. Vibe-A-Licious is changing locations to temporarily run form home. We have partnered up with a professional photographer to do editorial shoots. We have begun to focus on doing weddings, editorial work and film and television. We are still growing our visibility and learning. We are hoping with scaling back our costs and new opportunities in 2026 vibe-a-licious will be goign one direction- UP!