Today, Brielle Chapman is a role model for entrepreneurs. But success didn’t come overnight.

From Barbies to Brides

Need wedding day hair and makeup? Want a new look for prom or senior portraits? Looking to get that style you saw your favorite star rocking on Instagram? Whatever your needs, The Glosserie will make you feel like a celebrity. This month, Brielle shares the insight she has gained on the road to making The Glosserie the Triangle’s most fashion-forward salon.

Brielle’s first clients were her Barbie dolls at five years old. Years later, after discovering Barbie’s hair doesn’t grow back, she became the hit of her high school by getting all her friends ready for proms and parties. It was then she first discovered she could make a living doing what she loved, and enrolled in the prestigious Paul Mitchell school to perfect her craft.

Her career took off rapidly, sending her across the country to work on high-profile projects like the 2012 Democratic National Convention. But it was an opportunity for a dream job in New York City that made Brielle step back and reevaluate her priorities. She decided the best way to advance her career, while still putting family first and staying close to home, would be to forge her own path as an entrepreneur.

Selfies Boost Success

Brielle credits much of her success to staying on top of the latest trends, both as a stylist and a business owner. The Glosserie advertises solely on Instagram. The salon updates its feed several times every day for its more than 4,000 followers. Selfies from satisfied clients also provide massive publicity. Brielle is a master of using the power of social media to get the word out about her business without spending a dime.

It’s important to Brielle to keep her salon on the cutting edge and keep her staff educated on the latest techniques and products. The Glosserie is known for carrying high-quality lines like Kevin Murphy, Amica, Cailyn Cosmetics and Dana L. These lines are known for being all-natural, organic, cruelty-free, or eco-friendly. Brielle wants all of her stylists to provide the same level of service she would provide herself. To do that, she trains and meets with her staff frequently. She says it important for business owners to keep the lines of communication with employees open.

Another tip is to take time to build strategic relationships with other businesses. For example, The Glosserie has partnered with a local plastic surgery office to provide styling for its clients. Brielle recommends going to potential customers rather than waiting for them to come to you. Brainstorm businesses where you may benefit each other and reach out.

Passion is Key

If Brielle had to pick just one secret to success it would be passion. If you don’t have that, she says, nothing else matters. For her, the satisfaction she gets watching her clients faces light up makes all the ups and downs of owning her own business worth it.

Padgett’s 3 Wise Questions:

• If you could bake a success pie, what would the ingredients be? A good attitude, determination, and always putting people first.
• If you could go back in time to the beginning, would you do anything differently? I would have delegated more to staff earlier on. When you say yes to one thing, you have to say no to another. It is important for business owners to have their hands in everything early on. But the only way to go from maintaining to advancing is to delegate.
• If you could have lunch with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
  I would have lunch with Audrey Hepburn. Everyone knows her as the glamorous model and movie star that she was, but few know that she was actually brilliant and humble. She took a strong stance for what was right, even as a young girl. I would choose her because she has always been independent in her thinking and actions. During WWII, she rejected her parents support of fascism and became a courier for the Resistance, though she was only a young girl. As an adult, she devoted much of her time to volunteering with orphans and feeding the hungry, and eventually retired from acting to work with UNICEF. I admire her for never forgetting where she came from, always giving back, and handling whatever life threw her way with grace and dignity. Gotta love her!

CONTACT INFO:
Check out The Glosserie’s on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, or call the salon to set your appointment.
www.theglosseriesalon.com/
(919) 601-2696
1131 Falls River Avenue
Raleigh, North Carolina 27614