Ep. 156: THE MAKE IT OR BREAK IT FACTOR IN PMU AND BEAUTY BUSINESSES
YOU NEED TO CHANGE.
Listen up, beauty boss, because I have some harsh truths for you. I want you to succeed, okay? So I'm always going to tell it how it is.
Here's the thing: if you want to have a long career in the beauty industry - you have to change with the beauty industry. Things are not the same as they were when we first started! I first started over 10 years ago, okay, nothing is the same, thankfully. But there are a lot of beauty entrepreneurs who are stuck marketing their businesses the same way they were 10 years ago. And you know what? They're not experiencing any growth.
They're stagnant. Nobody wants that in their business. If someone tells you that you need to change and you say "oh but I've always done it this way" you need to reevaluate, because if that's your mindset, then I'm sorry to tell you, but you're already on the way out.
This is something you really have to pay attention to. So for this episode of Pretty Rich Podcast, I brought on my good friend and COO of Pretty Rich, Laura Obando. I know you guys love her. But she's really the one who picked up this trend that she's seen a lot in artists who have been in the industry for a long time. So this is a warning sign to you, whether you're new in the business or have been in this game for a long time. The ones who succeed are the ones who change.
Here are the episode highlights:
‣‣ [07:23] I want to first share with you something my mom always says to me whenever I start to feel like things are too hard.
‣‣ [12:04] Here Laura starts to talk about what it was like growing a beauty business back in the day.
‣‣ [12:44] There's something that Laura has realized a lot of entrepreneurs who have been in the beauty industry for 10-20 years have in common and it's their reluctance to change.
‣‣ [15:06] I think that people waste a lot of time complaining about things changing when they could be taking action.
‣‣ [22:17] If you want to make it in any industry, if you want to stay on top of the game, this is my advice to you.
I WANT TO MAKE IT IN THE BEAUTY BIZ! (Listen Here)
You can follow me, Sheila Bella, on Instagram @realsheilabella!
Here are the links that were mentioned in the podcast!
Pretty Rich Bosses
The Elusive Clubhouse Course
Text me! (310) 388-4588
FOR MY LISTENER BOSS BABES
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FOR MY READER BOSS BABES
You can enjoy a transcript of the podcast here.
Sheila Bella:
You will have to risk releasing what you've always known to receive what you've always wanted. Let me say that again. You will have to risk releasing what you've always known to receive what you've always wanted. Yeah, you can count on me, your beauty biz bestie to keep it at a hundred all the time. And if you're here for the first time, welcome to Pretty Rich Podcast. I'm Sheila Bella. Here we go.
Welcome to Pretty Rich Podcast where you're totally the heroine of your own story. I'm your host, Sheila Bella. And I built a seven-figure PMU beauty biz, and a seven-figure online biz without a degree, without a fancy website or a sugar daddy. And if you and I hang out on here long enough, you're going to start to believe that you can do it too. How about that for a side effect of listening to this podcast? Because you really can.
I know you think, I don't know you, I've no idea who you are, but I do. I really, really do because I am you. I was you and I believe we are all on the same journey together. My perfect job didn't exist. So I created it. The job I wanted wasn't hurting me, wanted nothing to do with me. So I skipped the line and hired myself as CEO, just like you can. So consider me your secret beauty biz BFF. In case you need to be reminded on a weekly basis, that power is never just handed to you. You have to take it. Are you ready, beauty bus? Let's jump in.
What's up, you guys? Woo, guys, it's been pretty much like a year since COVID happened. It's still happening, but since it's first happened and it changed all our lives, particularly mine. A year ago today, oh, I was wrecked. Today was a mess for me, March 12th 2020, a day I would not forget, ever forget. It was the year they, the government, the world shut down and my event was supposed to happen the very next day, March 13th. And I thought my life was over. I felt my career was over. I was getting so much criticism for not canceling it sooner. I had no idea what to do. I had so much invested in this event. It just wasn't easy. If you've been chilling with me for a while, you know, you lived it too, you were there.
Today is March 12th, exactly one year after 2021. And you know what they say, the comeback is always greater than the setback. And I am committed to coming back this year stronger than ever. And I can feel it. I can feel it. So excited to tell you that the Pretty Ambitious Summit will be happening this year on October 8th, 9th and 10th, 2021. And this time it's going to be a virtual hybrid experience. Meaning you can choose whether or not you want to experience it virtually or in person in the form of a stream team. We're going to have different hosts in different cities, hosting Pretty Ambitious Summit parties. Depending on where you live, the rules are different. And I respect everybody's comfort level when it comes to this pandemic. The choice of whether or not to get vaccinated is very personal. The choice of whether or not to travel is very personal and I'm just not taking any chances.
I live in California. This is the most restricted state I believe in all of the United States. And I just don't see a 1000-person event happening in October of this year. I just don't see it. Did you guys hear me say 1000? Yep, that's my goal. 1000 attendees. Last year we sold 420 tickets and this year we're shooting for 1000 and I think we can do it. If you want more information, check out my Instagram @realsheilabella, or just go to prettyambitioussummit.com. Right now, there are no speakers announced just yet, but guys, we're going to trickle them out one at a time and just hang on. I am determined to come back bigger, 10 X this baby, let's go. I am up for the challenge. I want to make this transformative. I want to serve. I want to bring so much value to you guys, whether it's through a virtual platform or in-person platform. I want you guys to experience a social element of this, if that is in fact, something you're comfortable with. I want to change your network and in turn, change your businesses for the better.
Do you want more clients? Do you want more customers or students for your training? Do you want to build a profitable online beauty business that teaches other people how to do what you do? I know, you know that I'm the host of this program, but what you may not know is that I've built two multiple seven-figure beauty businesses, one, a permanent makeup studio and the other, a profitable online business. And both of them make six figures a month. And I'm on a mission to help every woman I meet do the same thing.
My mentorship program Pretty Rich Bosses is pretty incredible. It's my online mentorship program where it's one-on-one and it's also group. It's something that I've built to help beauty entrepreneurs, just like you find their way to success so that they can meet their highest potential. And if you're wondering if this is going to work for you or wondering, is this a scam, don't just take it from me. Listen to these incredible testimonials from real students currently in the program.
Speaker 2:
I was able to quit my corporate job and I quadrupled my income with them. Pretty Rich Bosses has taught me how to make more money than I've ever dreamed of in the middle of a pandemic. I went from homelessness to $88,000.
Speaker 3:
I was able to sell enough courses in two weeks to make my full six-month program investment back.
Speaker 4:
Because of Sheila, in my first few weeks, I closed five clients in my coaching program and I'm not even in microblading.
Speaker 5:
The honest sales strategies have led to the most bookings I have ever had. I got to tell you, last week I made 5 K working from home and not even launching my freaking full courses yet.
Sheila Bella:
If you're ready for transformations, just like these, go to sheilabella.com/apply. And let's set up a complimentary strategy call to see if Pretty Rich Bosses can help you get the results you know you deserve to. Again, go to sheilabella.com/apply.
It took time for me to finally accept that something that happened yesterday has nothing to do with tomorrow. Let's move on. And I need to risk releasing that dream, releasing that vision, that like, I just want it to happen this way. Just demanding that it would happen just one way and that's it. I need to risk releasing what I've always known in my head to be the vision, to receive what I've always wanted, especially in 2020/2021. This year was full of ups and downs. And every time I come across a challenge, my mom always reminds me. She's the OG entrepreneur. We've owned small businesses, our whole lives, right? And I've watched them. My mom always reminds me that this is the life that I signed up for. This is it. This is the way it is when things get hard. And that's why I am moving in this direction.
Releasing what you've always known to receive what you've always wanted is unavoidable. At one point or another that's what it takes because the come up isn't all roses and rainbows. You have to release things that you're attached to. People love to talk about goals and how good it feels to achieve your goals, but people hardly ever talk about the weird, crappy feeling that also comes along with it. You will change with success. Your circle will most likely also change. Some people won't understand the new you. Some people will resent you for growing without them. That's really what that's about, but they won't tell you that. They'll just act weird and then you'll be hurt. And then you'll be confused. And they don't get you because they're not brave enough to try and do big things themselves.
Stepping into a new level, by the way, also feels really awkward. You're doing something that feels kind of embarrassing because you're new at it, right? Like what I'm doing with this event, this idea that I have of a virtual hybrid event. It's new. It's embarrassing. I just got to keep going because it's a part of it. Because the only way out is through, and you got to go through the stage. You got to go through the baby stage. It's like you're a newborn learning how to use your legs and walk again.
And the common denominator in all successful people is simply their willingness to embarrass themselves and to get uncomfortable. It's not like one day, you're not going to be embarrassed anymore. That comes with doing anything new. You have to be willing to look awkward and stuck on day one. So if you're feeling some major growing pains today, like I'm feeling because I'm doing this weird hybrid-like event for the very first time in front of y'all, you're not alone. Hello, your girl right here. So this is the ultimate PMU and lash girl power event. 1000 attendees, virtual, and in-person worldwide. Let's do this.
Okay. So today I wanted to replay an impromptu live that I did. Just forgive me, I was eating dinner throughout this live. I'm pregnant. Okay? I'm always eating. I was eating dinner throughout this live with my best friend and COO work wife Lala. And she was just coming up with all of these genius things left and right about business. And she's like, "This is the one thing. This is the one factor, Sheila. This is the one factor." And I'm like, "Dude, why are we not live right now?" And I decided right then and there stop talking. We're going live on Instagram.
And she pinpointed a trend that she saw with a lot of beauty business owners, those who have been doing it for a long time and those who were just getting in the game. The thing that's stopping everybody. So I'm going to stop talking. I'm going to let her speak. I'm going to be there too. This is called the Make It or Break It Factor.
Laura Obando:
What's happening is that before in the beauty industry, it was kind of easy to have a successful business or even before for any business.
Sheila Bella:
I think at PMU, when you first started, it was so new.
Laura Obando:
And easy.
Sheila Bella:
It was easier. Yeah, for sure.
Laura Obando:
It was easier. You get so talented with your art. You get so skilled and you just post your before and afters and you just get clients and referrals and it was just rain and it was just shine. It's like money flowing everywhere. Everyone got to a million dollar beauty biz so quick.
Sheila Bella:
Yeah.
Laura Obando:
So now what I find a common denominator with these business owners that have had successful businesses for 20 or 10 years, now, we're telling them like, "Hey, you got to switch this up. You've been running on a motor car. Your whole business has been an amazing motor car that's been running. But guess what? Now Tesla's out. And Tesla, it's going to overtake you. So you got to switch from that motor car to having an electric car." And what does this mean? Your before and afters and the way that you've been running your business-
Sheila Bella:
Just posting before and afters and that's it?
Laura Obando:
Just posting before and afters or just getting business easy, it's not going to work.
Sheila Bella:
Not anymore. It's not enough.
Laura Obando:
It's not working.
Sheila Bella:
It's not enough.
Laura Obando:
It's not enough. So then here we come and then we tell you, "Hey, you got to do this, that, and you got to innovate and you've got to stop selling your features." It used to be so easy to sell a course, like by just saying, "Hey, the course includes this kit. You get 20 hours of training and you get this and that." And that's all features. Marketing is not about features. And we tell this to our students all the time. And what you got to learn is to sell the feelings. And so shifting from that motor car to a new innovative system, which is electric, which is even smoother because it's working smarter-
Sheila Bella:
That's actually less [crosstalk 00:14:17].
Laura Obando:
Yeah. It can be overwhelming. It can be so frustrating. And that's so understandable because you've been doing things for 14, 20 years in a way that has been working. But unfortunately, and Sheila says this all the time. You don't want to go out of business. You don't want to be that Blockbuster. Right?
Sheila Bella:
Turn off my notifications, man.
Laura Obando:
Emily, stop talking to me.
Sheila Bella:
I'm live with Sheila. Just switch it off.
Laura Obando:
Yeah.
Sheila Bella:
No, no, I hear what you're saying. It's like the people who get frustrated are the people, yeah, who've been in business for like 10, 15 years. And they're like, why aren't they coming to the yard? Why aren't the boys coming to the yard?
Laura Obando:
Yeah.
Sheila Bella:
Why isn't business as easy as it was? And they are, in my opinion, wasting time, just crying about why things aren't the way they used to be. I think it's a waste of time versus what they should be doing, which is innovating and looking at the current market and seeing what is grabbing people's attentions and holding people's attentions, which is right now reels. Okay? It wasn't even reels last year. Things are changing so fast.
Laura Obando:
Yeah.
Sheila Bella:
You really [crosstalk 00:15:39].
Laura Obando:
Really all.
Sheila Bella:
Yeah.
Laura Obando:
And even we live it where you have to adapt so fast to things. And I mean, it can be frustrating, but we just have to. And we understand that it can be [crosstalk 00:15:53]. What?
Sheila Bella:
I'm pissed at Clubhouse.
Laura Obando:
Yeah. Now Clubhouse.
Sheila Bella:
Damn it.
Laura Obando:
So now we have Clubhouse. And now there's always going to be a new way to find new clients. And that just proves it, why posting features and doing the easy work and not showing up on camera, it's not going to make you sell. It's not going to make you get new clients. It's not going to help you sell your courses.
Sheila Bella:
Yeah. And what's working today is not going to work even just six months from now.
Laura Obando:
Yeah.
Sheila Bella:
So yeah.
Laura Obando:
So we either have to adapt of getting over that fear of being overwhelmed, or we're just going to sink. So you choose which boat you want to be on.
Sheila Bella:
Yeah. That's true.
Okay. Everybody is talking about Clubhouse, the new app. And I know what you're thinking, because it's what I thought too. Oh, my goodness, another app I need to download and maintain. I was so resistant to downloading this app you guys. But as soon as I got on, I realized that it's not as high maintenance as I thought. Actually, it's very low maintenance. It's an app that's audio only, and I've been able to grow on there so easily just an hour or so a week. I've been able to get more sales for my business. Not only that, using this app has helped me position myself as an authority in my field. And let's just face it, using these new apps keeps us relevant. That's just the name of the game nowadays. Social media requires you to constantly update, learn and evolve. But a lot of people aren't quite sure of how to use Clubhouse properly.
That's exactly why I created my super affordable training called The Elusve Clubhouse Unlocked. It took me a minute to learn the app, but now that I know, oh my goodness, I wish somebody would have taught me all of these things sooner. So in this course, you will learn exactly what Clubhouse is about and how to use it, who is in Clubhouse and why you need to be there too, what to do once you're in Clubhouse, how to optimize your bio, what is a room/club, room etiquette and details because if you don't know, it could get embarrassing, and the many sales benefits of being on Clubhouse. You've got to learn how to convert Clubhousers into prospects and paying clients.
So if you want in on this course, all you need to do is go to sheilabella.com/clubhouse. sheilabella.com/clubhouse. This free app could totally change your business. Get on it early because it's so easy to grow on there. It's going to be big. So get it now, before it becomes too hard to grow. It's definitely changing the marketing game. Again, just go to sheilabella.com/clubhouse.
This is where my inner hard-ass comes in. That's handy when it comes to business, right? Because it's like, get over it. This is how it is. But sometimes it's not good.
Laura Obando:
Or like when you told me fix it and yeah, I have to cry like a baby because I'm being sent to do the hard job of fixing stuff, but I got to fix it. So I can either get overwhelmed or fix it.
Sheila Bella:
Well, thank you for understanding.
Laura Obando:
Yeah. And then it goes back to what you always say, like action breeds clarity. And that's the whole point. Don't get stuck in that being overwhelmed. Just fix it, action, with your actions. Do the steps that require you to fix it. You don't want to stay in the old days.
Sheila Bella:
Yeah, sorry I'm harsh with you. No, I don't think so. Oh, man. Oh, my gosh. Sorry. I don't think I'm harsh with you. I feel like it's just... For those of you guys who don't know Laura and I work together. So this is a working relationship right now that you're observing. So yeah, sometimes when things go wrong in our business or when something comes up, my only words are fix it.
Laura Obando:
Oh, was I not supposed to say that?
Sheila Bella:
No, you can say whatever you want. We ain't got no secrets.
Laura Obando:
Yeah.
Sheila Bella:
No, you can say that. You should.
Laura Obando:
Everyone has that. You just got to fix it. For sure, we're not the only ones.
Sheila Bella:
You can either be, what is it, somebody that looks for solutions or wallows in the problem. Yeah.
Laura Obando:
Are you going to be a baby or are you going to fix it?
Sheila Bella:
Yeah. Yeah. [crosstalk 00:20:57].
Laura Obando:
I mean, it's okay if you're a baby for a little bit, but don't get stuck being a baby forever-
Sheila Bella:
That's right.
Laura Obando:
... because then that's where you're just going to get stuck.
Sheila Bella:
I mean, I'm not saying I don't... Yeah, I get I'm in baby mode sometimes.
Laura Obando:
Yeah. I mean, we are human. It can be overwhelming to learn something new and start from scratch again. Especially when you've had a successful business for so many years, it's going to feel like you're starting from scratch. You're building a new machine.
Sheila Bella:
I can [crosstalk 00:21:28]. And why people are frustrated when things, the old techniques of sales are not working anymore. Yeah, it used to be so easy. It used to be just before and after photos. And I think that's the lie too. That's the lie. Because when you get a permanent makeup certification, you look at your trainer and then you look at what your trainer is doing on their Instagram page. And most likely they're just posting before and after photos.
So you're like, that's all I need to do because your trainer doesn't teach sales and marketing. Your trainer teaches permanent makeup. But what you might not know is that your trainer's bread and butter is not from clients. It's probably from training because that's where the money is. And so even that has its own marketing strategies and it does always change.
I think the key here, like if we're going to simplify this for you guys is to pay attention to the market, pay attention to where people are paying attention and just go there. Like yeah, now, I had no idea just a few months ago that I would be focusing this hard on reals. I just posted a really cute one by the way. And also now fricking Clubhouse is on my schedule. And it was not like that even just two weeks ago. And it's just all about... I guess that's a skill. Like, when we have students inside PRB, I don't want to just tell you, aside from giving you a list of what things to do, I think it's really important for our students to understand how to think like an entrepreneur so that they have that skill set forever, that critical thinking.
So forever and ever pay attention to where the market is paying attention to, where are people's attentions and wherever that is, that's where your clients are. Go there. Make deposits in that. And it will be different a year from now. And that's why it's so important more than ever to be adaptable and yeah, to grow with the industry. And I always think about that analogy, Blockbuster Video, like where are they? They refuse to adapt. They just kept saying, "No, you can rent from us. You rent DVDs from us. No, we're not going to go digital. No, this is the way it's always been." Famous last words, well, this is the way we've always done it.
If you're saying that, if you're saying, "Well, this is the way we've always done it," you're on your way out. I'm sorry, but you are.
Laura Obando:
Yep.
Sheila Bella:
You need a reels class? Guess what, we're coming out with one. I'm coming out with one with Victoria Glam. I'm editing it on my computer right now. Surprise.
Laura Obando:
Yeah. Adapting. We're adapting.
Laura Obando:
Okay.
Sheila Bella:
All right. Cool.
Five minutes is up.
Laura Obando:
Yeah.
Sheila Bella:
I just needed to get this thought out there. Yeah. And guys, if you have any questions about how the industry is changing or how the market is evolving, right, just send me a direct message and I'll tell you like, all right, cool.
Laura Obando:
And we were one of those. If you scroll down Sheila's feed back in the day, hell ya, just it's always changing.
Sheila Bella:
Yeah.
Laura Obando:
Yeah. Our feed is just before and afters and then we're like, oh-oh, I got to do this now.
Sheila Bella:
Yep.
Laura Obando:
All right, you guys, have a good dinner.
Sheila Bella:
I'm done. [crosstalk 00:25:13]. I had my dinner with you and everyone else right here.
Laura Obando:
Oh, yeah. Okay. Now we got to load up the RV. All right. Have a good night, you guys. We'll talk to you soon. Bye.
Sheila Bella:
Hey, thanks so much for listening to today's episode of Pretty Rich Podcast. If you want to continue the conversation longer, check me out on Instagram. It's my favorite place to connect with you guys @realsheilabella. I'm happy to answer any of your questions or simply to chat and get to know you better. And if you end up doing something super awesome, like screenshotting this episode and reposting it on your stories, that would put the biggest smile on my face. Don't forget to tag me. I appreciate every share and love feedback from my listeners.
Also, do you have my number? Do you have my number? Because if we're going to keep hanging out, you should probably have my number so you can actually text me. That's right. You can text me at (310) 388-4588. And if you're sick and tired of doing business alone, and you're interested in accelerating your success by hiring a business coach or joining our mentorship program called Pretty Rich Bosses, go ahead and just apply. Why not? Check it out. Go to sheilabella.com/apply. And we'll schedule a free strategy session with either myself or one of my advisors.
And of course, I got to include my kids. So here to send us off are Beau and Grey.
Grey, say share with your friends.
Grey:
Share with friends.
Sheila Bella:
Please review my mommy on iTunes.
Grey:
[inaudible 00:27:06] mommy iTunes.
Sheila Bella:
Thanks for listening.
Grey:
Thanks for listening.
Sheila Bella:
Hey Beau, can you tell everybody what our family motto is?
Beau:
Yeah. I can do hard things.
Sheila Bella:
I can do hard things. Good job, buddy.
