165: "You have to stick with it. Take the bumps, the bruises, the lessons, and then scale. Keep moving forward." Deon Green's story of beauty, art, and business

Jen Amos 0:01

All right, and I am so excited to welcome D green onto holding down the fort season seven of our show. So D Welcome to hold on the fourth,

Speaker 1 0:11

Nigeria. Thank you so much. Very excited to be here and can't wait to get started with this conversation.

Jen Amos 0:17

Yes, absolutely. I thought I would start just as a fun warm up to do an icebreaker question. I have five cards in front of me and I just want you to select a number between one and five. And I will pick one and you will answer a very random icebreaker question. I promise it won't be like too embarrassing, but there you go. So one, pick a number between one to five.

Unknown Speaker 0:36

Let's go with four. Or Okay,

Jen Amos 0:38

we're gonna get this one. Oh, this is an easy one. Okay, are you a coffee or a tea person? And if you're a tea person, is it sweetened or unsweetened? Got

Speaker 1 0:48

a tea person and definitely sweet numb from the south.

Jen Amos 0:53

I love it. I you know, for me, I'm mainly like a unsweetened person. But I have friends who add milk to their tea. And I think it's very like English of them to do it. And I'm just like, Oh, that's interesting. Like, I add milk to my coffee. But I never thought to add like, you know, milk and sugar I guess to your tea. But that's awesome. Love it. What's your favorite flavor? Do you have like a go to tea flavor that you

Unknown Speaker 1:14

that you like? Um, like the macho?

Jen Amos 1:17

Let's stick with matcha Oh, that's awesome. I love that. Yeah, I'm mainly like a mainly like a lavender lemon flavor, because I sing for my church sometimes. And so that's like a great like kind of combo to help with my throat and also to calm my throat and stuff like that. So. So there's that. But Awesome. Thank you, Dee for sharing that again. Once again, I'm excited to have you on and share your story. We had an exciting offline conversation recently. And you know, considering how long you had served in the military, including your husband, who is at his 29th here right now. So congratulations to him. Is he planning on getting out anytime soon?

Speaker 1 1:55

No, he's having fun. So I think he's shooting for 40 Something maybe?

Jen Amos 2:00

Wow, I wonder how long you can stay in the military? Do you know?

Speaker 1 2:05

Maybe two years? Maybe I think maybe I think 40? And, yeah, well,

Jen Amos 2:11

that's amazing. I'm actually I need to ask my husband that I feel like he would know. But no, that's amazing. And, you know, for our listeners that are getting to know you for the first time d just give us a quick snapshot of your lifestyle today. What does it look like for you?

Speaker 1 2:25

Oh, team, no sleep. That is the life I chose for newer year after retiring from military service. So my day starts at 430. And so that's time where I can, you know, we both get up at that time, he moves a little bit faster than than I do. But it gives us time to get up and work on ourselves personally, which is getting a workout in. And that allows me to you know, start work a little bit more early, so I can finish early. So that time we can you know, find that balance when he comes home. You know, do some family time and family bonding and just to decompress and you know, get to X amount. How was days?

Jen Amos 3:10

I love that, you know I had a friend who she just religiously for years by choice as an entrepreneur wakes up at 530 Every single day. And part of the reason why is because that kind of her me time self care time catch up with work time before like her daughter wakes up and before the dog wakes up and it's just that it seems to be that quiet time in the day that you can kind of have yourself and even get ahead of the day.

Speaker 1 3:34

Love salutely Yeah, my clarity, a little bit more clarity in the morning, your alert, you know, you just finished working out so you know thinking about everything while you're working out kind of going and then you know you can attack your day. So that works. I love

Jen Amos 3:51

that. Yeah, but what time do you sleep though? Like what does bedtime look like for you? About 830 to nine? Oh, that's amazing. I could definitely take some lessons from you. It took

Speaker 1 4:03

some practice because you know as you know just like the tabs on your computer it's hard for me to close them out because we have so many tabs open going over notes but it's just that preparation part will you have to shut it down your body needs at rest we can get up rinse and repeat.

Jen Amos 4:19

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Well, I love that and I was just recently telling my husband I was like you know I think I should try 5:30am I should try waking up that or at least going to the gym the 5:30am gym, but I haven't succeeded at that so far. It definitely seems like something I have to work toward and actually set my alarm clock for and but I will say the one thing I am proud of being an entrepreneur is that I still get my work done I still clock in the hours that I want to clock in for the day. It's sometimes it just happens later in the day. And sometimes I'm not done till nine o'clock at night and you know what, like, I think that's the beauty of entrepreneurship is like choosing like you choose you and your husband choose to wake up that early because it really helps you know set you up for the right So the day

Speaker 1 5:01

Yep, absolutely. But you're working towards it, you know, you're thinking about it. So that's, that's right.

Jen Amos 5:05

I think I think like working out really helps. It makes me exhausted sooner. You know, it's like, I want to go to bed earlier at night. But I think for me, like my quiet time is in the evening, like, my husband goes to bed like at eight o'clock. So I'm like, okay, cool. It's my alone time, the dogs going to bed, the mount my cats outside, because he's an outdoor cat. And like, I finally have time to myself. And so I think that's kind of why I tend to stay up late. But anyway, to each their own. And anyway, I'm so like, also getting inspiration from hearing your story, just because I just, I just always hear that phrase, early bird gets the worm, and I just haven't gotten that worm. I've gotta get in my own way.

Unknown Speaker 5:43

It's out there waiting for you.

Jen Amos 5:46

Yeah, it's there somewhere, so long as I set my alarm. But yeah, well, Dee, I'm excited to hear about your entrepreneur journey. And one thing that I remember us talking about offline is that, you know, entrepreneurship isn't as glamorous as people make it out to be, or especially for people that are new into it. So when you first entertain the idea of entrepreneurship, tell us about that, I guess, innocent mindset you had around it. My first thought was,

Speaker 1 6:15

how hard could it be? You know, you're you're I'm doing this hard job job as a military service member, and I've done it for 22 years, you know, you have the discipline, you have the motivation to stick to itiveness, you know, just just make sure you the application, the step by step. All that went out the window, once I became an entrepreneur, I'm like, like, what did I forget? What seems like I just forgot everything, because everything is coming at you all at once. There is no structure, you're creating this material, you're creating the battle rhythm, you're creating everything from you know, your processes to, you know, execution to launch it. I mean, you're, you're it lets you have help. But you know, for me, I did not because I'm just kind of wasn't sure what my calling was. So I dabbled in a few things. Just to you know, definitely wet my feet. But just going into it initially, my first thought process was just, you know, how hard could it be? And I thought it was a little bit more intensive than I than what I thought. But

Jen Amos 7:29

yeah, I would imagine that having served for as long as you did, like, knowing that there is structure and direction and orders to flip that mindset to like creating it creating that structure for yourself. I mean, that must have been a long transformative process for you.

Speaker 1 7:48

It had it, it's definitely had its ups and downs, a lot of downs. Because you're coming from an organization that would that one mindset, so now that you're thinking on your own, you know, you still taking those tools that you learn in a while, you know, in the service, but beauty in the military kind of the, you know, kind of didn't go together. So I'm having to create that structure. What looks right to me, and also just, you know, finding, you know, finding that girl again, that woman again, that I was before, you know, joining the military, so it's it was a lot of connected dots, and you know, how can I make this work? But yeah, definitely process.

Jen Amos 8:34

Yeah, absolutely. Tell me about that time the military when, you know, your fellow service members modeled it for you that you could balance beauty in the military? Because I you know, even for me, my initial thought is how does how does those two how do those two even in the same sentence, military and beauty

Speaker 1 8:51

these these wonderful service members, women? They had they either partner with Mary Kay or another beauty brand. Out there, I believe, you know, of course, Mary Kay has been around forever. Yeah. They it started their entrepreneurial journey with in the partner with Mary Kay. And just like, hey, Dee Curie, let me talk to you, you know, just reflecting on, you know, their pitch and how they presented their, you know, their products, what it can can, you know, can do just, you know, I've noticed, like, oh, wow, you know, they're finding beauty. They're still finding themselves and keeping themselves you know, looking, you know, what cut what's comfortable for them. As far as beauty, their beauty standards, but you know, great skin, you know, makeup or nails or hair, but they just thought that they started, you know, on their entrepreneurial journey by partnering with another beauty brand.

Jen Amos 9:54

Yeah, yeah, I think I I think that's wonderful. It reminds me of the early stages of me I'm just being open to the or being exposed to business. And it was in direct sales, it was finding, you know, being exposed or being invited to a company that had that structure had that system had the team the support. And I, you know, even till this day, it's funny because my best friend and I were involved with this company early on, because, you know, they say, like, you know, tell it to your friends and family like early on. And even though we are not active in it till this day, this is like 10 plus years later, we still talk about the lessons we gained from that experience. And I just think if, if, if anyone is looking to just learn the basics of, you know, sales and team effort, and just personal professional development, I think, you know, something such as, like, you know, Mary Kay, in this case, like, can really, it's a great way to get started, because it's also typically these kind of businesses are very low cost. And there's just a ton of support a ton of stories, I just, I definitely encourage anyone you know, who's looking for that education, especially if you've never been in business for yourself,

: 11:03

definitely a dabble. Also wonderful experience with Team Beachbody. You know, military bookmyshow, my husband, I are active love working out. That resonated with us. But they gave us another wonderful insight of how partnerships work, how the business side works, I was able to see the backside of the business to see how its structured, how they structured their business, but, you know, a wonderful opportunity to further you know, again, see how much work is going to take, and this is with a brand that's already established. So that's when I started getting into I got to establish brand, a personal brand, business brand. Oh, my goodness, you know, just that helpful insight. But, you know, Mary Kay, or Team Beachbody or any other, you know, business structure like that. It's all work.

Jen Amos: 11:57

Oh, absolutely. I think what I think one of the greatest takeaways I take from my own experience, and even the years that follow is people buy into you before they buy into your product. And so and how do you? How do people buy into you? Well, it requires a lot of personal development, a lot of professional development, a lot of just that own, like inner transformation to attract and to, you know, make what you're offering. Really, yeah, really attractive, I think. And so, and I think that's what I love the most about entrepreneurship is it really is a personal journey of personal growth. And one of the books that really resonated with me, it was called the E Myth. and the E Myth. E stands for entrepreneurs, entrepreneur myth. And it it talked a lot about like, people think that entrepreneurship is a certain way. But in reality, like, like entrepreneurship is you and you are entrepreneurship, like your business doesn't grow, unless you grow. And so it is about learning stuff, like personal branding, and, you know, in systems and all the things and it's a lot of work, but you know, at least for me, like 12 years into this, I'm kind of like, I'm like, well, it's worth it, though, it's worth it. Because of the life I get to live and the people I get to engage with and, and talk to and the things I get to do. It's hard. You know, I always like to stress to people, it is hard. It's still hard. But it's worth it. Absolutely. I totally, totally agree. Yeah. Well, let's go ahead and talk about how you got to a place where you wanted to go beyond like skincare, and let's say makeup, you wanted to do something different. Because when we think beauty at least for me, I typically think you know, skincare, I think about like hair products, skin products, you know, makeup, etc. But you decided to take a different route. So tell us about that.

: 13:45

Well, at that time I was working downtown DC. And this is right before COVID I want to say maybe three or four months before COVID. And I was just talking to my husband and I was like I have to find something a creative outlet. You know, I've done the hard stuff. I'm looking for something fun, something you know, I am a Creative At Heart. And he said, Well, you're you know, you're awesome artists, why don't you do something with your artwork? Then I was like, You know what, I'll become a nail tech. You know that I have 10 Tiny canvases, which the paint one? And he said, okay, yeah, that's, that's you're still being creative. So I was like, You know what, I'm going to resign from my position and enroll in nail tech, become a nail tech and enroll in school and become licensed. So that was 2022. Again, in the midst of COVID as it was happening, I was actively going through nail tech school and they had it and the first time in that history in their history of having, you know, going through school All in teaching the students we were at home. Wow, to learn, you know, they had to learn okay, how can we you know, have this this course pivot to at home?

Jen Amos: 15:15

Yeah. Wow. I mean, that was your that was your first exposure to nail tech school? So I'm curious I mean you have you really don't have anything to compare it to I feel like but do you feel like that education was what you needed to, to be in this industry,

: 15:34

it showed me It's interesting thing about nail tech school, they really don't teach you about art, it's more of a hygiene, you know, sanitation, you know, things that will make sure you keep your license. But as far as the artistic side of it, you will have to like seek out other professional nail techs and for further training, but it was a wonderful opportunity to of course, enter this field of beauty. Always love nails love nail art. For me growing up, it was seeing Flo Jo, the track star with long nails decorated nails and there was just like a, that type of nail art, you know, was prevalent amongst ladies that looked like me. So it was just like, that's, that's what I want to do. I have 10 canvasses to work on I want to create beautiful nail art for these nail lovers out there. So

Jen Amos: 16:37

yeah, and I want to comment that I feel like you're the first person I've ever talked to, who considers like nails as canvases. And you know, I think about other artists who maybe they're trying to sell a painting or, you know, some other piece that you would, you know, sell at like a farmers market or at a festival. But I feel like I mean, you can tell me, it seems to me that you can have reoccurring business in in, in nail tech, because because people want to continue to, you know, update whatever, you know, update your nails. And so that seems to be a very viable, stable business, which is my impression.

: 17:17

It is a that absolutely is is a recession proof. No matter what's going on women want their hair done. Women want their nails done during the government shutdown. Was it 2018 I believe 15 1617 817 or 18. I was like, there's this salon I always wanted to go to but I could never get an appointment because they were booked out three months in advance. And once the government shutdown took place, I was like, Great, I'll be able to now be able to get in, because I know that canceling their appointments. No. One appointment was canceled. And those ladies are getting their nails done. The beauty business is recession proof. You know, people still want that self care. Women want that self care. Gentleman still want that self care. So it's skin, beauty nails. You know, they want to feel good about themselves. So that's, it's a business that that is recession proof.

Jen Amos: 18:21

Yeah. Tell me a little bit about what it's like working with your clients. Because to me, I imagine that it's like, like being a cosmetologist. Like I'm sure that you have all these fun conversations with your clients where, you know, when it comes to hair, it's like the client is typically facing away, you know, from the hairstylist, where in your case, your face, I'm sure you're facing, you know, the person and so I imagine, you must have a lot of interesting conversations out of that.

: 18:48

Oh, we sometimes we forget we're doing you know, I don't know, for me personally. I was at I had my own nail salon in my home. So that afforded me more flexibility to control my time. Yeah, well, I was able to spend more time with my client, not under a time constraint like you normally would in the you know, typical nail salon. So we would have the TV on the Food Network, watching TV laughing and like, oh, we gotta try that recipe. But it just afforded me more time to get to know my client and for my client to get to know me and I get to know you know, what their you know, likes and dislikes. Were what nail services and again provided me an opportunity, you know, to retrain them because maybe they didn't have the best nail tech or experience at a nail salon. So you know, just provided me more opportunity to get to know my clients better and establish better rapport. We had a blast. They left satisfied the nails are gorgeous. I was satisfied. So

Jen Amos: 19:53

yeah. Yeah, I love hearing that you had an in home nail salon. on, you know, I think that for some people, it's maybe they're able to get more business or traffic working in a salon and from my understanding, like I have a friend who's a hairstylist, I know has nothing to do with nails. But this is the only comparison I have, where like you have to pay for that spot. You know, it's kind of like a rental spot for you to, you know, work. And so I just think it's so advantageous for you to have had it at home and have more control over your hours and the time you spend with your clients. I think that I think that is pretty genius. And also, I, I imagine that it took some time to develop that clientele as well before it kind of, you know, you're able to dictate your own schedule.

: 20:36

Absolutely. But like I said, I created my business, I started my business a little bit before COVID. But definitely after I took my state boards, we were in full swing with COVID The beauty business, everything shut down so we can no longer take in person clients. So I was like, How can I build brand awareness? How can I get out there get people you know, to know who I am? I'm going back a little bit, but that's when I initially first started. Then, you know, taking in person clients, then everything shut down. I'm like, How can I you know, get myself out there further. So I pivoted to press on nails. So I had clients from Virginia, all the way to Alaska, that you know, wanted my press on. So I'm just like, Okay, let me just pivot to press ons. And from there, it just took off. So right now I'm just 100% doing press on nails, creating press. Wow,

Jen Amos: 21:33

that is awesome. And that I mean, you know, you won't be able to have like the long conversations, I'm sure you used to have your clients but it sounds like you have more more time freedom to just sell the press ons.

: 21:47

I offer both custom so you know, if you see something a design you like, or what's trending, hey, you know, I want this custom set of nails that specifically for you and offer pre made press on nails like you find in Walmart, big box stores, Target, Sephora, Ulta. So I have my own personal on that line as well. So but we still have the good great conversations I keep in touch with my my favorite clients. And they pivoted to press on. A few of them have pivoted to press on

Jen Amos: 22:20

nails. Yeah, has it balanced out since things are quote unquote back to normal again, and people can be in person.

: 22:31

You know, for me personally, I haven't taken in person clients I'm finding it's more flexibility with creating personal nails or you know, selling my prefab breasts on nails, there's more flexibility, for me, it's more flexibility for my clients, they can you know, instead of a two hour appointment or a three hour appointment, it takes them 30 minutes or less to put their press ons on and they're out the door. So it fits their lifestyle to their busy, you know, ladies on the go. So that, you know works works for them.

Jen Amos: 23:03

Yeah, and I think ultimately, you are still able to be the artist that you are you found you you pivoted, but you were still able to be creative. So rather than just, you know, being with them in person, you found a way to, you know, do these press ons and ship it over to them, but it's still your artwork, which I think is amazing.

: 23:21

So I'm working with some great manufacturers, I'm like, Hey, guys, you know, great introduction to amazing team that were able to take my art designs and create the personal nails with them. So I still have, you know, kind of, you know, creative control of what my brand puts out. So and that also helps me separate myself from my competition.

Jen Amos: 23:43

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. I know at one point you were you had the opportunity to go through the Rosie network, the services SEO program. Tell us tell us about that experience.

: 23:54

That was an awesome experience. You know, not only do I meet other like minded entrepreneurs, but the training with the Rosi network, they have fabulous trainers that provide real time, you know, training things that are happening now with the, with the trends with the market, this is what's going on now, this is what's coming. And this is how you can prepare yourself for it. So we were just like, studying just, you know, taking notes and going back and looking over the recordings and applying what we what we learn. So they chose for me personally, they streamlined or they fast helped me fast forward my business, and they helped me definitely get unstuck, because, you know, I didn't have a business bestie or a group or someone I can go to and bounce ideas off of, but they were instrumental in moving before.

Jen Amos: 24:52

Yeah, I just think that's so wonderful. I mean, while there's so many services out there that offer that try to help our military community To find, let's say remote work, like full time remote work with benefits, it's really great to have somewhat something such as the rose network for, you know, our service members, and military spouses who are like, well, I want I want to be in control of my schedule, I want to, you know, have ownership of, you know, what I'm selling, I want to have a personal brand. And I just think it is a wonderful thing that the rose Network offers that. And I'm so happy to hear that, you know, you went through their program, and you know, really, you know, got to gain so much more to help you get unstuck. I'm curious to know, like, what, what, what, where were you stuck, that where they helped you get unstuck?

: 25:39

Like, the pitch my pitch that was, Oh, my goodness, yeah, it's deck. I'm like, What do you mean, I'd have to create another thing I need to create, what is that? Like? What is the, okay? If I want to get to these big box stores, if I want to put money in the stores, you know, the marketing piece, hey, we need to get your pitch deck. Ready. So I kind of knew what it was, but they put it all together, for us very presentable, professional, and I was able to pitch to other beauty supply stores, you know, wherever I wanted my business, my product, and I was able to provide them that pitch deck. So they had a you know, visual, as well as the, you know, the conversations we had on the phone so they can get to know, know, like, and trust me.

Jen Amos: 26:30

Yeah, you're getting me to think because my husband and I, you know, we don't we don't have a pitch deck. And I mean, we've been fortunate to like, you know, gain most of our clientele like online and stuff, but I feel like we needed to pitch deck for, like our referral partners or organizations that we collaborate with, or we want to collaborate with and it's just something that we haven't done, I feel like we've done it like maybe haphazardly, like just, you know, winging it impromptu. And, and so I feel like there's, you're kind of inspiring me right now to even though my husband went through the cohort program, I'm thinking to myself, like maybe I should go through the cohort program. Oh, and learn about this pitch deck that I hear from everyone. And I'm like, like you what is that?

: 27:12

Yeah, it's another it's just help with the confidence and like, Okay. When the businesses hazy you have your pitch deck? Yes, I do. Yes, I have my pitch deck, I'll send that read. Oh,

Jen Amos: 27:27

I love that. Yeah. And I think it's just, it's clarifying your message, right? It's having a clear message, that clear mission, which are offering, you know, letting you know, letting these companies know who you help, specifically how you want to, you know, work with them. And, you know, I'm just thinking in my head, like, gosh, like, that's, I feel like, that's something we need having been in business for as long as we've had at this point. I feel like we can continue to improve upon that. So thank you for giving me that idea. Yeah, and, yeah, no, I think I think that's wonderful. And, you know, I'm just, I'm just thinking about your journey. And I also know that when I think for, from what I recall, in our offline conversation, like, entrepreneurship was something you were open to while you're you were in the military. And, and so tell tell us about that time when, like, I guess you just felt like, you wanted something more?

: 28:23

Yeah, absolutely. Just, you know, along with seeing those other ladies, you know, doing things that they love outside of the military. You know, for me, personally, it just felt like, you know, I'm destined for greatness. There's something greater out there for me and my husband, it's like, what's crazier than the military? You're? You've reached the pinnacle. I'm like, yeah, yes. The serving in the military for long is just wonderful opportunity, met some amazing, lifelong friends. But I just felt like, there was something more for me out there to do. And that was just to be an entrepreneur, start my own my own journey, you know, and put those skills that I learned while in the military to use.

Jen Amos: 29:07

Yeah, and I also understand that your father was in special forces. So it seems like you come from this lineage of military life, which I think in your position, you would you would want more, you know, I think about like my own family, how my dad served in US Navy, and most of my family today are working professional jobs, like nine to five jobs, which is all amazing stuff, because it's how they're able to raise me. And in my adult life, I felt like I wanted something more. I thought, okay, I saw my dad did the military, my mom does the government job, the rest of my family does, you know, professional jobs, and I want to do something different. And I think that is just a testament to the people that came before us and us wanting to expand our family legacy, which is how I like to see it. Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. And I know that's something that is important to you as well to leave a legacy for your kids.

: 29:57

Oh yeah. We have have three grown children, I would tell you that there are agents that that would date me, but they are all grown. We are empty nesters and just they understand, you know, being military kids, you know, just being resilient and seeing how hard their parents worked. They understand, you know, if anything's worth having, we're gonna have to, they're gonna have to work for it. But just being able to just, you know, leave them with something, a legacy that, hey, this is what we start started you, you know, you and your, you know, brother and sister, you guys can pick this up and run with it. Or you can, you know, pivot like your mom did several different times and find out what works for you and that, and you know, that you love doing?

Jen Amos: 30:53

Yeah, absolutely. I think that's a great thing to model for your grown children. And, you know, I think for my mom, I mean, God bless her, she, you know, till this day, she's like, when are you gonna get a permanent job, but you know, it works for her, okay, she's worked in the government for 30 years, she's doing, you know, stable jobs, stable benefits, like she's doing great. So I get it, I get it. It's just, I think it's like, it's like, okay, that's good for you. And this is why I'm doing what I'm doing. But it's great that you get to model that, you know, for your children. And, you know, let them know that you have options, you're able to pivot. And, you know, speaking of which, I know that you and your family are actively going through a major pivot right now. In regards to living on post and what that looks like for you, because I know that part, you know, part of your life in the military was living off post. So tell us what that looks like. Now, for you as an entrepreneur, and the challenges or the, I guess, the adjustments you have to make with your business,

: 31:52

have 24, almost 25 years, we haven't lived on installation much 2425 years. So pause. We've been we've been blessed enough to live behind greenbelts for most of our time off base. So you know, environmentally, moving back on base and having here, you know, the traffic we're across from the parade field. So we hit the cannons going off, you know, we have a Reveley, you know, we're retreat. It was just, we hear training exercises with the Blackhawks, the house is rattling, the doors are rattling the windows rattling. And I think I had insomnia for the first two, three weeks. We were here. But it's quiet. Now I think I'm getting more custom, you know, used to the to the noise. But it was definitely an adjustment as far as the business. Of course, the first thing you have are rules and regulations. You can't can't do on posts or and definitely in your on post housing. So I'm going through the process now of getting my Virginia license. It's called reciprocity, transfer to Washington State and opening up my own home, I have my own nail studio here. So just making sure I'm abiding by the post regulations and rules. License. So just going through that process of getting registered on bass as a home based business,

Jen Amos: 33:38

so yeah, and hopefully once you're settled in, it's a it's back to back to business, right?

: 33:44

I'll be able to take in person clients, I'd be able to, you know, talk to clients again, but I my as far as the my nails, personal nails, I'm moving into, you know, automation, so Amazon store, so VA ship all that out. So, you know, sales won't stop I don't have to ship or mail you know, product and just automate a lot of my systems as far as you know, the shipping aspect, but I'm looking forward to connecting with the community meeting some fabulous ladies here. And you know, us just conversing over nails. So I'm looking forward to establishing you know, in person clients. Yeah.

Jen Amos: 34:24

Oh, that's amazing. So this it seems to be a positive thing to have done this major pivot and live on post now and now have like a home business and kind of go go old school and, you know, have the face to face, face to face appointments. Again,

: 34:43

the you know, the upside is course you know, that communication part and building brand awareness on the West Coast. And, but the downside of course, is, you know, with military we're only here for a certain amount of time and then we leave and that's that, you know, fun part of being in there. To take leaving my clients, you know, or here, you know, hairstylist, yeah, position, you know, that are in the military military spouses. You have to leave your clients though, that, you know, that's, that's the downside of it.

Jen Amos: 35:12

Yeah, no, absolutely. I mean, just the the need to uproot and start over and reestablish yourself. And, you know, I live in Hampton Roads here in Virginia. And it's very interesting to, you know, run into spouses who just got stationed here, especially at my church and seeing how ambitious they are to like, build community and be so sociable. And all they want to do is lean into it, you know, all I want to do is like, Yes, I'm here for you. Here's my number, like, yes, let's hang out, let's do these things. Because I know that I know that that relocating, it could be really hard. But I think with the right attitude, it's it is you do open yourself up for like new opportunities, new friends, and, and everything. So, you know, but not to, but it's also just, it's also important to say that, that transition is fickle, you know, to, to have to start over. But in the meantime, you know, I'm glad that you have this opportunity to, you know, bond with your clients face to face again.

: 36:11

Yeah, absolutely. Looking forward to it. Yeah, it's just the nature of the beast, with being a mill spouse that you had to, you know, pick up and move and transfer your license again, to wherever your next duty station is. But, you know, as with military service members, we always pivot.

Jen Amos: 36:30

Yeah. And you seem to take it in stride. Pretty, pretty well.

: 36:34

And we've been doing this for a long time. So, you know, try not to stress about too much of it. Just roll with the punches, and, and everything usually works out in the end,

Jen Amos: 36:45

ya know, wonderful. You know, I also know that as an entrepreneur, it can, you know, some of the other challenges could be, like, in your situation, like having a spouse who doesn't fully understand entrepreneurship. And yet, I know that he's still supportive anyway. So tell us what that dynamic is like,

: 37:03

this 25 years of marriage? That is no choice. Everything is yes, there will keep the peace. You know, I'll let you march on, you know, you let me Yeah, he supports my endeavors. And, and we find a balance there.

Jen Amos: 37:24

That's wonderful. I'm really happy to hear that.

: 37:27

Yeah, we bounce ideas off of each other. But as far as the, you know, anything technical, I have my business bestie we bounce ideas and things, what's going on in our business. So what we're definitely here for each other to decompress and vent. And he offers solutions, you know, you know, Hey, have you thought about this, you know, and of course, me being, you know, military retired, I'm like, I can understand what he's going through with his job, offer some advice, or just, you know, just be an ear. At the minimum, we're just, you know, ears for each other. And we're here to listen, and listen to us bent and like, and sometimes the most times, you know, both of us once we get that out, and then the light bulb comes on in our head, like, Oh, God, we have this talk. So now I can go implement you no problem, Neal that I was having. So

Jen Amos: 38:23

I think that's so healthy. It's a healthy practice to just say, like, Hey, I just I just need to unload. I need to just, like, let you know what's on my mind what I'm going through what I'm stressing out stressing out about? And I feel like it's it's an having that outlet that does help recenter us and allow us to kind of clear that fog and make more informed decisions as opposed to like, emotional decisions.

: 38:50

Absolutely. Gotta get it out, you know, we have so much going on in my head. You know, if we don't, for me, if I don't speak to someone, I definitely have to put it out on paper, what my thoughts are, get it out of my head, and I can go back and look at it and read it. But, you know, we do have that reserve that time for us when he comes home from work that, Hey, how was your day? Take off your boots. Let's get some more. Let's sit down and you know, you know, just, you know, talk about our day and see, you know, how everything went and, you know, get ourselves mentally prepared for the next day? Yeah, we've been doing that for 25 years. So we just, even after I retired, we just find find that it's most help, you know, it's helpful. It still keeps us connected, talking to each other and having great conversations.

Jen Amos: 39:39

Yeah. Well, it sounds to me that you have a really good support system with your husband and what you had with the Rosen network, and it sounds like you have a business bestie now I think when we last talk that you were kind of I don't know if you were on that search, but it sounds to me you have one and that's really great because I'm sure it just makes life so much easier to talk to someone and specifically about your business that they can relate to. And, you know, with that being said, though, I know that sometimes being an entrepreneur can still feel lonely, right. So tell us a little bit about that. Because I know, I know, we mentioned that offline of kind of like the lonely journey of an entrepreneur.

: 40:16

You know, it's your journey. So not everyone will understand your why. times when you want to quit, you're looking for someone to, you know, talk to you. And they say, you know, well, you know, you're a strong person, you know, you've always been strong, and you've always done this, and then you always come out winning on the other side. I'm like, Yeah, but my eyelashes are losing my hair, because I'm stressed.

Jen Amos: 40:42

Yeah. Oh,

: 40:45

you know, just for me, particularly, they may not understand my journey, and it's not for them to understand it. But I have to look at my why you can keep going. There are roadblocks, you know, if you know, for me, if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Absolutely. And I think the journey was gonna be, you know, this difficult, you know, this long, but you don't know what you don't know. And long, you have to stick with it. And then you take the bumps, the bruises, the lessons, and you scale. And you keep moving forward.

Jen Amos: 41:18

Yeah. I'm curious to know, because I think the life of an entrepreneur is there's no particular destination, although I do think it, it's very, it's like an ongoing journey. But I imagine that there's a destination you might be trying to reach anyway, like, I think to myself, like if I had the perfect situation, if I was making all the money in the world, I would do A, B and C, do you have that kind of picture, picturesque idea of what that destination would look like for you?

: 41:45

I'll make coins in my sleep. That's the destination, you know, I'm removing myself from the process. I want to automate everything, you know, still have my business and it you know, do well, even when I'm not away. Yeah, I didn't want to create a love it loved connectivity. But you know, being a nail tech you are that it's a job that I have to show up to, you know, pivoted to press on, it's still something you know, if I'm doing custom is still something I have to show up to, to get done. So but but having a manufacturer like, hey, take my designs and put these on, you know, on press ons work and sell them in mass. So that's freeing my time up. So I think I'm in it until my time is freed up, but I'm still profitable in the business.

Jen Amos: 42:35

Yeah. And you seem to be enjoying it. It's fun.

: 42:39

It's every day learn something new every day. I love it. It hurts. But I'm learning. I'm learning applying and keeping it moving. Yeah, some of those those. Those come with some Alex moments.

Jen Amos: 42:55

Yeah, well, I love that Dee, and I admire and appreciate your hustle. And it sounds that throughout the years of you doing this, your business continues to evolve and pivot and you still get to be the Artiste that you want to be. So I think that's, that's really, really beautiful. And I really appreciate you taking all the time to share your story and your lessons and, and your wisdom, I definitely took a lot in, you know, even just hearing about, you know, you and your husband and how you to support each other. And really having that balance and, you know, doing what it takes to be in business and also just the dream of like having everything to be automated, which to me, it sounds like you are on that path. Not that I'm a nail tech expert in anything, but it seems like you are really headed in that dark direction. So you know, I wish all the the, you know, the best of luck for you on your journey. And that being said, I want to make sure that you feel like you've shared everything you want to share with our military community, whether they are entrepreneurs or not. So do you have any, like Final thoughts or parting wisdom that you want to share with them? And then and then and then afterward, I'm going to pivot to asking if you have any questions for me, by the way. So yeah, do you have any any parting things you want to share with our community?

: 44:15

They will definitely I would want to share with you know, again, reflecting on my journey myself. Find your passion soonest, you know, I dabbled in a few things until I was able to find what is my passion? What is my purpose? What is it that I love doing that becomes second, you know, that's second nature to me. I wouldn't impart they find their passion soonest and then find a mentor, find someone that's in their field that's doing it at a higher level. It will cut down so much lag time if they're looking to you know, move forward with the business and it's going to be hard. So definitely know so you know cliche, I'll start with you why you got to have a, you have to have a why? When I reflect back to mine, I'm like, okay,

Unknown Speaker: 45:06

then I get up and get moving. Because, you know, time is ticking. And this is where you know, I want to be. So I have to put in that work. And make, you know, take

: 45:17

that mess, take massive action to get where I want want to be. But yeah, just find passion. Get a mentor. And you know, if it's in the you go forward.

Jen Amos: 45:29

Yeah, I love that D that is all great advice. And, again, I appreciate you taking the time to share your journey and be with our community today. And so yeah, I want to do just a little pivot here. I don't I actually, you know, in the post production, I actually do not know where this conversation will go. So I'm just going to jump into it and figure out where it gets placed later. But before we wrap up, I do want to know if you have any questions for me, and part of where this is coming from is normally when I do these interviews, like when we hop off, like, I have a whole other conversation. That's like, not recorded at all. I wish that was kind of recorded. So I wanted to turn the tables here. And and have you play host and see if you have any questions for me.

: 46:12

Sure. Absolutely. Oh, boy. We're really good. And there's some of that on post living the MPs if you get here that noise that definitely the beauty space. Your skin looks fabulous. Oh, thank you. Yep. So I remember you mentioning some of the I was asking you, you know, what is your favorite beauty product? Yeah, that you personally use?

Jen Amos: 46:44

Oh, gosh, I Well, I'm, I'm so excited that you're asking me this because I feel like, like, I'm just excited to answer it just because I do a lot of things before the skincare. So for example, it's incredibly important for me to sleep as long as I can. This is why I was telling you earlier that I'm a night owl because like I and I start my day a little later, but I still work later. I just my day is a little late. I mean, if I was you know, I'm on East Coast time. And I often say to myself, like it's okay, because like Pacific Time, they're still just waking up. So technically, I'm, you know, I'm up early somewhere, you know, depending on where I'm at in the world. It's like how they say like, it's five o'clock somewhere, right? It's like, well, it's morning somewhere. And and so sleeping is really important to me. I actually do not set an alarm unless I have to absolutely wake up at a specific time, which I'm always upset about. But I do it anyway. Because it's like, oh gosh, I gotta wake up. I gotta like, go to church, I got to do all these things. Like, that's the only my husband's like, really, that's the only time you'll wake up is when you're going to church. I'm like, yes, yes, like, of course I would. But anyway. So sleeping is incredibly important to me. And then the second thing as soon as I wake up, I like to drink at least 32 ounces of high pH water. Some people call it alkaline water, Whole Foods called it high pH water. You know, that is incredibly important to me to just wake up and before I drink coffee or tea or whatever, that's what I do. I just hydrate first and foremost. And then I typically I actually use actually having in front of me. I try not to I don't know if this is gross, okay, but I I try not to wash my face a lot. I if I do wash my face, it's usually after I work out or if I'm removing makeup, but throughout the day, I actually use like oil, blotting tissues. So these are like I think they're called, like natural natural premium oil, blotting tissues, you can't you can't really see it, but you pat it on your face and it helps like remove the oils and that's what I do throughout the day. And you know, obviously if I notice my pores like looking ugly, I'll do something about it. But I usually use that and then and then if I do put anything on my face, I do have a face cream. So I use the products from melaleuca.com and they have this i i If you can give me a second I can look up the name. Absolutely. Yeah, let me see if I can pull it up real quick mal lucca.com So I do use like a fate of a face cleanser. And then I do use their lotion or their face thing so I wonder if I can find this Brad in case you're really wondering the specifics here. I'm happy

: 49:23

I was first introduced to the oil blotting papers back in Korea. 2005 Ah, yeah, they're there. Their beauty regimen their beauty products in Korea. You know the Kay beauty is phenomenal. But yeah, this may be a little gross. But when you don't have the oil blotting this is my little hack when I'm just like, Oh girl, you're shiny. If you go into the if you're in a public place most times they have them in the bathroom. The toilet seat covers that you pull out. Same material the same. Yeah. So take about three or four back.

Jen Amos: 50:12

Oh my god. resourceful. Yeah,

: 50:16

take it and you know, rip it and just pat your face, and they will absorb the oils. It just

Jen Amos: 50:21

I love that hack that is on your face. I didn't sit on it yet. So it's multipurpose. I love that tip. I love that. So thank you for sharing that I will I will definitely keep that in mind when I travel and I don't happen to have my oil tissues and everything. And then and so for me the it's funny, like I don't I don't know if this is like good skincare advice or anything. But I actually like when I when I'm done washing my face. I use like an overnight cream. So the one I call when the one I use the brand is called se Bella Sei, ve ll A. And the name of the cream is se Bella deep marine age defying overnight cream. And so I only put a little bit of it, I put like one or two tabs and then I kind of put it on my face. But honestly, that's that's it and because it's overnight, it is oily. That's why I use the oil tissues to kind of just, like pat it down after it's like absorbed. But honestly, that's it. And I I really and also I work out, you know, I think that's important as well. And I just try to use minimum makeup as much as much as possible. Like, I think for me because I because I'm 35 and I'm kind of like you know what, let me see how how much I can get away with still like showing my ID when I drink. Thank you. Yeah, it's like if let me see how far I can get away with like, still looking really young before I have to make an effort like my mom, my mom, you know, she, you know, she's in her mid 60s and she ends up getting those. She got like the makeup or sorry, the tattoo like eyeliner and even like, you know, eyebrows. And I'm like, I will wait till like if I'm in my 60s and I have to do that I will do that. But for now, I you know my husband loves me as I am. You know, he says I look great without makeup and like great. That's all I care about. Like my husband finds me attractive without makeup. That's wonderful. Like I have no I have nothing else to prove to anyone. I have won him over. We're still together. Like, yeah, so anyway, that is my that is my, I guess face regimen there and, and it really is a combination of a lot of doing a lot of like natural, like practice things like sleeping and water and all that. So, so thanks for asking.

: 52:34

Yeah, definitely great, great bass, you need that risk, you need to hydration, keep the skin soft and supple. So I wouldn't have never thought you had 35.

Jen Amos: 52:43

Thanks. Thank you.

: 52:47

My other question would be with your spouse to work together in business together? What are some pros and cons for you as you found going along on your journey? You know, my owning a business? Well, to be more specific. If there's anything you can change along your journey with your spouse, what would it be?

Jen Amos: 53:07

Oh, wow, that's a that is a great question. Um, I will say that I am incredibly grateful to have someone who is I would say like more of a risk taker than me. You know, my past relationships. And I remember reading this in I remember reading this in the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. And he had said that, you know, if you are dating someone or with someone who is like in the employee mindset, and but you are an entrepreneur, it's going to be it I'm not gonna say it's impossible, but it's going to be difficult, you know, it's going to be hard for obviously, you know, you it's like different love languages, it's different. It's hard to communicate, right? And so when I met him, and he was already in business for himself, and, and I decided to end up working with him, like, shortly after, like, I think it was just really nice to have someone who was in the same wavelength as I am in regards to like taking risks, except he was a bigger risk taker. He's, he's kind of like, you know, ask for forgiveness, not permission or don't even ask, like, just wait till someone, you know, send you a letter in the mail and Sue's you for some, I mean, it doesn't go that bad. But you know what I mean? It's like, it's kind of like he just failed forward. He's really good at failing forward and being unapologetic and it was great to have someone like model that for me because prior to being with him, I did run my own business for about six years before working with him. And you know, I very much had that mentality of like, kind of asking for permission and making sure I had all my legal stuff taken care of, but with him it's kind of like you know, let's focus on the sales let's focus on you know, revenue, let's focus on the things and then we can worry about, like all the fine details later, that doesn't always work in our favor. It's not it's not perfect, like what we're doing here, but um, but I will say like, you know, the pros of being with him is just kind of being on that same wavelength. The cons, the cons, I will say is Um, he doesn't know how to turn it off, if that makes sense. Like, he's like, first moment I wake up in the morning, I open up my messages. And he gives, he's giving me all these ideas that he thought about in the morning because he wakes up at like, 4am. So he's already like, you know, he's already been studying up, he's already been looking up things. And first thing in the morning, I see, oh, YouTube video book, he just read, you know, all the things. And so it's learning to digest that when I'm ready. You know, first thing in the morning, I'll say to him, like, when he wants to run something by me, I'm like, I'm like, I'm not there yet. Like, I'm not awake yet. Like, I have to, like, let him know when I'm ready. And so, so I think, I think overall, though, like, what I've found is, I think the way that we work because we've been working together for seven years now is, is, I think commit communication is key, of course. And like, like taking that initiative to have like, like husband, wife time, versus like, just, you know, work wife or husband time, you know, it's like, knowing how to separate it. And also, for me, personally, it's having hobbies outside of, of our work that have nothing to do, you know, with our business. So like, I, you know, like going to the gym and volunteering at church, like, those are the main things we're like, it has nothing to do with, like, you know, even like even prospecting people, you know, like, it's not like a networking opportunity. It's like, Hey, this is just my opportunity to be social for the sake of being social, because I need that, because otherwise, it just feels like I'm working all the time. And I'm gonna go insane. And 2020 was definitely a very challenging year, because the good thing is that we kept busy. The bad thing is that it was really hard to like, not be a workaholic, once things started opening up again, because like, you just, I just kept I kept myself so busy, so that I didn't have to think about what was going on, you know, and being stuck at home all the time. And that that definitely took a toll. I'm so glad we're on the other side of that. I can some I'm sure we all have stories about that time, of course, but But yeah, anyway, I hope that, uh, that answers your question. And, you know, communication being incredibly important. And, and also recognizing One thing I've had to learn with him, because we do have, you know, the way we communicate is so different. He's very, he's very forward thinking. And I'm very, like, past the present thinking, I always kind of bring up stuff in the past, but if he's already hung up on the new idea, he doesn't want to hear about the past in a way. So I'm just like, Okay, how do I, you know, figure this out. And, and so I think it's just like learning. It's just kind of accepting, like, Oh, this is my, you know, this is not just my husband, this is my work partner. This is my life partner. And, and, and just find it and finding joy in it. Like, I've learned to laugh a lot. Like, even if I don't want to laugh, but I know, he's trying to make me laugh. And like, I'm like, what, what harm would it do for me if I just allow myself to laugh and enjoy this conversation? You know? So anyway? Oh, I just realized we're overtime. I apologize. But anyway, does that answer your question?

: 57:56

is fine. Yep. Yep, sure, sure does appreciate this opportunity, just speaking to you learning more about you and your husband when you do. Just, it's incredible. And then you two are still getting along. You found you find your balance and finding joy in what you do. So there's hope for me. And there's hope for those that are in going through the same, you know, kind of same journey.

Jen Amos: 58:23

But yeah, I would say the last thing is, it is nice that we have we go to the same gym together. And so we have mutual friends, that again, it has nothing to do with our business. So it's really nice to like have that. Because yeah, otherwise, otherwise, it does feel like I'm just working with him all the time. But yes, if ever, you want to talk about our spouses, like you have my email now, if you need to, if you need to vent if you need nails you what he did, he wants to go 40 years. It's funny, I love it. Yeah, more than happy to be that outlet for you, for sure. But um, well, gee, this, this has been a tremendous conversation. I want to thank you again so much for your time, and you sharing your story and your wisdom and your experience. And I just want to congratulate you on everything you have accomplished so far. So just thank you for being here today. I hope our listeners get a lot out of this conversation. And yeah, and that's it. So thank you for your time d.

Unknown Speaker: 59:22

Appreciate you, Jen. Thank you so much. Awesome, my

Jen Amos: 59:25

pleasure. And to our listeners. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll chat with you in the next episode. Tune in next time, and then hold up one second. Then