Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Smoller.
Michelle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always known my passion was in the hair and makeup industry and helping people look and feel beautiful. I knew at a very young age that it was important for women to feel comfortable in their own skin in order to go out into the world with confidence. This confidence can come from many different areas. The one thing that always intrigued me was the instant effect a haircut, hairstyle or even a few changes in a makeup routine and how it could completely change how someone feels about themselves. It is interesting because it is such a small change but it is something that helps women see the beauty that was there all along. It is like looking through a different lens on a camera and the focus completely changes.
Ever since I was a child, I loved dance, cheerleading, and playing dress up. I was a tomboy but I was drawn into the beauty industry and the Arts. I can remember when it was time to go to college and being asked what I wanted to do when I grew up. I remember this was incredibly stressful because going to college seemed like the right thing to do but my heart was not in it. I went off to college after high school with my peers with no major and soon came up with a plan to drop out and go to Beauty School. The second I walked into Beauty School, I knew I was in the right place and instantly applied. That was the start of my journey.
After Beauty School, I worked in few salons doing colors and cuts and waxing. I was successful in this area and loved all of my clients as a full time behind the chair stylist. I felt there was something missing and I was heavily drawn to makeup and esthetics. I slowly started to get my feet into makeup while cutting my hours back in the salon.
Then, I got a taste of wedding hair and makeup and I fell completely in love. The wedding industry is challenging, incredible and always evolving. I get to work with so many people on one of the biggest days of their lives. I get to be there in the morning of the wedding and help be calming and assuring that the day is going to be amazing while making the bridal party feel beautiful. The feeling of getting to work with brides is such an intimate and rewarding experience. I get to know the families and friends and when the wedding is over, I feel like I have made such wonderful friendships. Providing hair and makeup for weddings has become my greatest passion and I am also working in the salon a couple days a week doing behind the chair colors, cuts, waxing, eyelash extensions and facials. I love my job. I love that my environment and clientele is constantly changing from bride to bride. I love that I get to travel and see amazing places when I do on-location weddings. I love this industry. This is my home.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My job hasn’t always been perfectly smooth. I think I have learned so much from all of my experiences. I have worked for a good amount of people. With each of these experiences, I learned so much about myself and I also learned the type of leader I wish to be and most importantly, how I don’t want to be. I learned to see everything as an opportunity to grow. I had some challenging moments with lots of false promises and I have experienced my share of cut throat moments. This industry can be very tough. However, every experience led me to this place where I was able to start my own company and hand pick the best team I could have ever asked for. The end result is something that I could have never imagined and I feel so incredibly blessed. If I had not endured the challenging moments, I absolutely would not be where I am today.
My advice to young women starting their journey would be to keep your eyes open and follow your heart. Yes, you will have challenging moments. In those challenging moments you may feel discouraged but do not lose the faith. Life has interesting ways of putting you on path of where you need to be. Even though you may not see the path clearly, keep going in the direction of your dreams and have faith. Choose to see every failure as an opportunity to grow and learn. My biggest lesson I have learned to this date, is to simply let go of control and follow your passion. Ignore people who doubt you because they will be there. You may have no idea how it will all play out in your life but that is alright. That is what makes it all a journey worth while. When you are on the right path, and have an optimistic and positive attitude, things just seem to fall in place. Just go with the flow and follow your heart.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Michelle’s Hair and Beauty Bridal – what should we know?
Michelle’s Hair and Beauty Bridal specializes in on-location hair and makeup services all over Cape Cod and occasionally Boston and beyond. We specialize in event hairstyling and airbrush and traditional makeup.
What I am most proud of is our team. I feel that this team is incredibly skilled, loyal, and professional women that have one common goal in mind, of making our clients feel incredibly beautiful on their big day. This team leads with their hearts and it is something I admire and is rare in this industry. I am so incredibly proud of this company.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
My biggest inspirations would be every person I have come into contact with in my life. I try hard to learn something from everyone. Everyone is here for a purpose and everyone has something to offer. I feel it is so important to take a step back and see everything as an opportunity to grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.michelleshairandbeautybridal.com
- Phone: 508-572-4173
- Email: msmoller88@aol.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/michelleshairandbeautybridal
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/michelleshairandbeautybridal
Image Credit:
Robby Trottier V2Productions, Sarah Murray Photography, McCarthy Photography Cape Cod, Designers Touch Florals, KJ Florals, Maria of Italy Bridal, Former MissNH and Patriots Cheerleader Jessica Strohm
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