Meet Nicole - SHOUTOUT ATLANTA

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, how does your business help the community?
My goal is to use NBL as a platform to give back to the community and the world…it’s bigger than just having a salon and cosmetics line. My ultimate goal is to show young women that they can do anything they want to do, and be anything they want to be! Another focus is training them to be confident, consistent, and having great customer service while embracing self-love and self-esteem. Professionalism is lacking these days, especially in the beauty industry. I got where I am today by being professional, consistent, and the “Golden Rule”. Treat others as you want to be treated. Being a young woman, there are so many challenges that people don’t realize. Sometimes young girls don’t have the guidance or resources on how to represent themselves. Being confident and authentic on who you are can really take you a long way. Life isn’t easy as we all know. If I would of had a mentor growing up, it probably would have help me prevent some of the mistakes that I made in the past. Also, I know it would have built up myself esteem, and help give me the confidence that I didn’t have at the time. All it takes is one person to believe in you.

I have beauty mentees, and a mentee from a local non-profit here in Atlanta. A lot of young girls feel lost and confused, and I have been there before. It’s important to break the generation curses and breaking the cycle. I love pouring into the girls and teaching them the “real world”. I have mentees come in the salon and see what it’s like to have a business. I tell them about the good, bad, and the ugly, and how to deal with difficult circumstances well as and overcoming obstacles.

I also travel to different countries and cities offering hands on training, and life time mentorship with eyebrow waxing and tinting. Not only do I talk about the beauty business…I motivate all of my students. Teaching overseas has definitely opened more doors than I’ve ever imagined and it feels spectacular to share my knowledge within the community and the whole world. I’m very grateful for those that trust me, and I am also very proud of myself. This is my “assignment” while I’m here on earth…that’s the only reason why I keep going.

What should our readers know about your business?
Running a business has its challenges, and despite making it seem effortless, it’s far from easy. I’ve faced moments of doubt and questioned if entrepreneurship was the right path for me. When feeling down or anxious, I turn to journaling to reflect on my journey and growth, especially since my father’s passing in August 2022. Learning from my mistakes through trial and error due to the lack of a beauty mentor, I aim to be the best mentor I never had. Sharing my experiences openly, I provide guidance without holding back, believing there is space for everyone to succeed by staying focused and consistent.

Being a risk-taker has its ups and downs, and in recent years, I’ve learned the value of thoughtful decision-making over impulsiveness. While taking calculated risks is essential, I emphasize learning from past mistakes. It’s okay to make mistakes, but never the same mistake twice.
I want to inspire others by showing that if I can overcome challenges, so can they. Beyond the social media smiles lies a journey of struggles and triumphs not always shared online. While maintaining professionalism, this year, I intend to be more open about my experiences, acknowledging that life is a mix of highs and lows.

To all the dreamers, I encourage you to build mental resilience, stay consistent, and never question yourself. Pay attention to your inner voice. Also, understand that not everyone will support your dreams. I’ve learned to move forward quietly, embracing the solitude that comes with success. Entrepreneurship is tough, but it’s a rewarding part of life’s journey. Everything has it’s ups and downs. You have to choose your “hard”. If I can do it, so can you. be consistent and persistent. I always tell my students “if it were easy, everyone would do it”.

I’m so excited for this 2024 and beyond. My ultimate goal is to travel and teach around the world about The Brow Beauty Business. I’m also in the process of learning Spanish and other languages to get my message across to people around the world. I have so many surprises and exciting news, so I can’t give it all away just yet…so make sure you stay tuned!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Well, when friend Crystal visited me in March 2024 from San Fransisco. We explored some popular eateries in Atlanta, but unfortunately, either the customer service was lacking or there was a long wait. Luckily, she discovered a hidden gem called The Woodall with exceptional service and top-notch food. I was surprised that she found this spot, especially since she was visiting from out of town. I highly recommend everyone to go check them out.

The weather was chilly during her visit, so we missed out on hiking at Stone Mountain, but I would definitely recommend going because it feels great once you reach the top. I love the outdoors, especially Grant Park and the Beltline. I was thrilled when Hawkers reopened after the fire incident – it’s just as wonderful as I remembered. They have great food and a cute vibe. One thing about Atlanta, there’s always something to do! I could probably try a new place or activity to do and never run out of options.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a special shout-out to my dear friend, Crystalina Santana, also known as my Soul Sister. Our connection began in 2020 when she discovered me online for brow waxing and tinting services in the Atlanta area while she was visiting a friend. Despite it being a quick 30-minute session, we instantly hit it off. We made sure to follow each other on Instagram to stay in touch. After 3 years, we ended up exchanging numbers through DM’s. We had a memorable phone call that lasted 2 hours. We both expressed how it felt like we had known each other forever due to our numerous shared experiences. We both are in the beauty industry, share a strong work ethic, uphold values like integrity, and have faced similar family challenges, such as losing our fathers, and so much more.

I invited her to fly from San Francisco to Atlanta to visit me in Atlanta, then she quickly booked her flight! Our bond grew stronger as we met in person in March 2024. I even visited her in San Francisco the next month to spend more quality time together.

Crystal and I enjoy spending time together because we both appreciate dressing up and looking our best. Some people may call me “extra” or say that I “do the most,” but I firmly believe that when you look good, you feel good…and my girl Crystal feels the same!
Crystal consistently motivates me to strive for personal growth and to be the best version of myself. She is someone who truly comprehends me on a profound level, and I’m grateful to have her as a true friend. True friends are hard to find.

Website: https://www.nicolesbeautylounge.com

Instagram: @nicolesbeautylounge @nblbeautyacademy

Facebook: Nicole’s Beauty Lounge

Yelp: Nicole’s Beauty Lounge

Youtube: Nicole’s Beauty Lounge

Image Credits
@framedby.wayne

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.