Today we’d like to introduce you to Darci Roberts.
Hi Darci, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Pretty One Parlor started as a very small in-home business known as Sinful Beauty LLC in 2018 where I was selling lash extensions, practicing individual lashes, and providing makeup services for clients. Due to Covid, it put a stop to my passion and dream, and Sinful Beauty LLC was ended. To earn money for my family and myself I went back to work as a security site supervisor. I had done security for 10+ years. In 2021 Love and Hip Hop star Sierra Gates did a “Microblade the Sierra Way” tour.
Where I took her full-day glam class in Chicago. That is where I was trained to do eyelash extensions, microblading, ombré powder brows, and combination brows. There is where I fell in love with Permanent Makeup. After receiving my certification I came back home to Minnesota. I didn’t have the clientele or space or licensing to perform permanent makeup I evidently still worked as a security supervisor where I just was not happy with my career choices and was afraid to devote my focus and time to my craft. After accepting a new position in a security that allowed me to have more free time I researched permanent make-up apprenticeships, permanent make-up training courses, everything permanent makeup-related laws rules education, you name it. Every Google search PMU related brought me to The MN Brow Lash & Medspa Academy there I met with an amazing coordinator/administrator who gave me all the information I needed to join the program.
The program was very expensive for someone who is a single mother of 3 small children, loans were not an option at all. I was able to connect with DEED a county resource that assists with all kinds of beneficial information for individuals looking for trades and continuing education opportunities. Through DEED I was able to get the funding for the career I have always dreamed about. In February 2023 I was able to attend the six-day fundamental PMU training and apprenticeship through Minnesota Brow Lash & Medspa Academy. Funding was my biggest obstacle to beginning my permanent makeup journey. I took a huge leap of faith and did it. I quit my security job and devoted my time, focus, and energy to building my brand as it is known today as Pretty One Parlor. Pretty one parlor is my passion and my dream I want to share what I love doing with every client that I service and I want them to feel confident, and beautiful when finished. Pretty One Parlor is going to be more than just a permanent makeup studio. It is a name in the beauty industry that will be recognized and heard all over.
My goal for pretty one parlor is to help individuals look their best and feel their best. At Pretty One Parlor I want to train, and educate individuals that have the same drive and passions as mine, and for the young black entrepreneurs to build successful businesses of their own having Pretty One Parlor uplift and support them and have a positive impact on the black community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some struggles I have come across along the way have mostly been funding, whether am I reaching the right clientele, whether am I using social media correctly to target the right people, and video editing.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What I do is microblading, ombré brows, blade and shade brows permanent Eyeliner, and lip blushing. Due to my training with the “Microblade the Sierra Way” class roughly 2 years ago, I would consider myself to be a brow specialist and makeup artist. A lot of my supporters know me for doing makeup and eyelash extensions and adding PMU only changed my game drastically. What I am most proud of is my dedication my focus, my drive, and my determination to pursue the dream that I wanted.
What sets me apart from everyone else is I take constructive criticism very well, and I am very open to it. It only makes me a better artist and makes for a successful business. My personality is as well. I am a very likable person. I am full of joy and energy and kind to all. Most important to me was that’s me apart from a lot of people is my passion for the industry. There are not a lot of black women doing PMU where I’m from and being one of them only makes me more proud of my community.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters the most to me is building a successful company that will motivate others to go chase their dreams and do what they love to do we are in a world with equal opportunities and I want my children to see first-hand dreams coming true. With hard work and great support, you can do and achieve anything it just takes practice, determination, and discipline you can achieve success.
As for my daughter, I want her to inherit Pretty One Parlor and have a strong secure foundation to be successful as she grows and learns from her mother. I want to be that mother my children look up to and admire. Uplifting others never gatekeep and always encourages.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/prettyone_parlor?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083120344762&mibextid=LQQJ4d
