Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Kong.
Marissa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Boston Brow Studio started as an idea of having a career that I loved but that also allowed flexibility to have control over my schedule as I was a new mom. At the time, I was working for a beautiful 5-star Spa in downtown Boston and I loved it, but after 5+ years there I could see the struggle for the mothers to be able to make it to every sporting event/dance competition/school acts as the spa and beauty industry requires working nights and weekends. So, while I was on maternity leave I was brainstorming of what else I could do to have the work-life balance I wanted.
Microblading was fast approaching. It was already big in L.A., NY, and Miami. There were already a few establishments in Boston but not many. I remember talking to my husband about it and trying to explain to him what microblading was. You can imagine the blank stare I got back. And then I told him, I wanted to take a class for it and his response was, “another class?!…” Let’s just say, I have paid for quite a few extra classes for the spa world that has never really blossomed into anything solid. I would love the classes but didn’t want to do it or it just wasn’t for me or it wasn’t something I could incorporate while at the spa. So, of course, my husband was supportive but he was also like, “are you going to do it?” And my outside facade is like YES! While inside I’m like, “… please let this workout.”
I loved the class! It was amazing to see the difference Microblading can have on a person- physically, emotionally and an all around confidence booster!
Microblading is the art of creating hair-like strokes with a semi-permanent tattoo ink for natural looking eyebrows. Microblading is great for those who have over-tweezed or over-waxed their brows, those who just never had a great brow shape, those that have thinning brows and especially those who due to illness lost their eyebrows. Eyebrows truly frame your face. They hold your expressions, they can age a person, or give them youth and even make you appear more awake (even if you’re still half asleep!).
It’s been almost a year and a half now since I’ve opened Boston Brow Studio and it has been the best journey ever. I get to see my clients reactions to their new brows, hear how Microblading has changed their life, how much more time they have in the morning not having to draw their eyebrows in, they aren’t worried about sweating off their eyebrows in the gym, or going to the beach and being able to swim and still have eyebrows. To some, it can sound so superficial to say how “my eyebrows have changed my life” but what microblading can do for someone externally then in return rebuilds a confidence internally. For Boston Brow Studio, to be able to play a small role in someone’s life that brings them confidence, convenience and beauty is the best reward ever.
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?
The unknown is always nervewracking. That little self doubting voice was in my mind when I was starting out, as it is for everyone when making a big decision. But the best thing to do it just push it aside and try! There will be obstacles in business and in life but there will also be a positive way to overcome it. Surround yourself with uplifting people, whether it be close family and friends or even support groups. Don’t be afraid to approach people and ask for advice. Ask friends, colleagues, a mentor “what would you do in this situation?” See what best fits you. And always follow your instinct. Know when to stand your ground. My biggest struggle is to not overwork myself. I love my job. I love my clients and it’s so hard to know my limits and to say no. I’m a people pleaser, always have been. So standing my ground on keeping structured schedule is my biggest challenge. It literally pains me when clients call or text begging to get in sooner and I have nothing available unless I work my day off, or stay I the studio till 10pm. And trust me it crosses my mind. But I have a family at home too and I created Boston Brow Studio to be able to give myself that work-life balance. Yes, I still have that guilt from saying no to a client but then it kind of all gets forgotten when my daughter is showing me her new dance move and bossing me around. 🙂
what should we know about Boston Brow Studio? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I work with each person to find a shape that individually works to best suit their needs based on the growth of their natural hair, bone structure, and goals.
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
I find that women are changing the narrative. Working moms are changing the narrative. We are taking what we love to do and making it work for us. Having it work with our schedule, instead of the other way around. I see women supporting women, especially in small businesses. When I meet a client that owns a small business I get as much information from her as possible so I can then tell my other clients. If they sell retail I buy something from them and share their information with clients. My graphic designer is a woman, my suppliers are women-owned companies, my insurance broker is a woman. From a business standpoint, it may not be the most cost-effective choice but at least I know I’m supporting other women, like me, running a small business, supporting a family, and following a dream.
Pricing:
- Microblading- $550.00
- Lash Lift- $80.00
- Lash Lift and Tint- $120.00
- Eyebrow Tint- $30.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 675 Lowell Street
Suite 2
Lexington, MA 02420 - Website: www.bostonbrowstudio.com
- Phone: 781-888-4668
- Email: bostonbrowstudio@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/bostonbrowstudio
- Facebook: Facebook.com/bostonbrowstudio
Image Credit:
Boston Brow Studio
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