  POLISH BAR www.polishbarbrooklyn.com About the Company Lover of all things beauty is a self-confessed beauty junkie. “Speaking with my beauty clients everyday keeps me in touch with their beauty challenges and questions. So many women want to know what works and what’s best.” I spend hours each week walking beauty departments; from drug stores to high end cosmetic and fragrance boutiques gaining information on products and ingredients. Counter girls know me and give me the juice on what’s hot and what’s not.” MTricialee took her love of beauty products and worked for various cosmetic companies while attending Arizona State University . In 1998 she moved to New York City to work for MAC Cosmetics. She started her career with MAC as a part-time artist and spent the next seven years working in training, sales management, and freelance artist management. At MAC she earned years of experience in managing large teams, opening and operating retail stores and organizing beauty events. “The most valuable lesson I received from MAC was how to creatively and effectively market a product, while building a recognizable brand and company culture,” sys Tricia lee. She left MAC to work for brands like Shu Eumura and Trish Mc Evoy. Ticialee took her knowledge of customer service, beauty, sales and business management and opened her Brooklyn based Beauty Bar, Polish Bar of Brooklyn . PBB is located in Clinton Hill, streets lined with fashion and accessories boutiques, one-of-a kind restaurants and countless cafes. Polish Bar of Brooklyn opened its doors in summer 2006 by way of a pink carpet covered in rose petals and a cupcake and cocktail reception attended by over 300 neighbors. Day by day Tricialee works with clients performing brow shaping, makeup application and lash services in her beauty bar that also offers nail and waxing services, along with private parties. “I’ve worked with products for the last 15 years, I’m a walking talking beauty book.” Working with women daily to achieve their beauty best, this year Tricialee ventures into her next phase by writing about beauty and answering questions for a broader audience. |
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What type of employees do you look for?
I look for people that work well in teams. I believe you easily teach daily tasks and operational steps, but the nature of being able to work cohesively with a group of people and to work with service in mind, is something that takes time to learn. 02
How do you collect and deal with customer feedback?
I really encourage customer feedback, because it truly gives me a fresh perspective. While as business owners we are very critical of our own work, we often are working towards a vision that customers may not see. In a small business it always is a work in progress, and you learn to forgive yourself for it. With feedback, a whole new perspective is introduced. I have a feedback email I promote in store at check out, on my receipts and on my website. It can be helpful, especially when its constructive. I’ve been able to utilize all the feedback I’ve received, even if it hurts- it always inspires change. 03
How do you select your products?
I am a product junkie by nature, and I have been since I was a child. I’ve worked with beauty products for most of my life. My knowledge of product ingredients, features and benefits will always exceed my ability to share the information. It is an absolute obsession, and I have been working in beauty for 15 years. I’ve literally never done anything else! I look to introduce new products to my clients, I look for unique companies that have that special something. Some great finds in this past 2 years was Minx (we were the first salon to sign with the company in NY), Ginger and Liz polish lines ( again, the first to sign) and Butter by Keba ( a delicious brand of body lotions, scrubs and butters). 04
What are the financial steps you took to open up Polish Bar?
For my first location I created a business plan and secured a small loan along with using my own savings, primarily. I secured a lease on a small space and permits to begin construction and design (mostly my own ideas). I began to hire and train staff weeks prior to opening and then set an opening date for summer 2006. The financial steps became harder with the second location and economic downturn. I have made it practice to utilize small business support like SCORE and NYC Business Solutions that are able to assist small business owners with steps that are vital to their success. Workshops are offered to assist in writing a business plan, as well as accounting and legal assistance. In business there is a huge behind the scenes portion that you have to be prepared for. You need a great accountant and lawyer, you need to understand the role of these people. You need to budget for promotions and marketing as well as continued training for your team. A wise person once told me, “Plan for everything to go right, but budget for everything to go wrong.” 05
What legal advice would you give to anyone opening a salon or spa?
If you have not worked in the salon/spa busienss I would advise they do so for a period of time, or hire a consultant that has operated/managed a salon or spa before. I would also ensure you have the ability or support to effectively manage a team of people and to stay current on state and city health codes. 06
How did you select the location for your first and second stores?
I lived in the community, and knew that people like me were wanting a better option for their services. Polish Bar Brooklyn is a hybrid spa/nail salon. We offer beauty services in a different way with a focus on beauty and trend. 07
Is marketing for a spa different than any other small business?
Yes, and I don’t believe every business should follow the same template. Especially now with the rise of social networking, its important to know your audience and how to best reach them. And to be innovative, try something different. Allow other brands to help boost your brand and vice a versa. 08
Looking back, what would you have done differently to launch your business?
The one thing I would have done differently to launch my business, so far- is I would have opened a larger location the first time. I went small and safe, and knowing what I know now- I should have planned for my own success. But I must say, everything works out just as it should – even if its not how I would have planned it. 09
How did you build your cliental?
I believe the business is a reflection of me, a beauty expert. Its not something I’m creating, its what I am. It’s genuine- so people see that and trust that we are consistent in our work. Natural nails, waxing, beauty services and fun parties presented in the Polish Bar way.. 10
How do you find balance in all your responsibilities and personal life as an owner of your business?
In the first 3 years I did not choose to have a balance. I lived work, but I gave that 3 years. Now I absolutely choose my life first. I have worked very hard to put systems in place so the businesses operate independent of me being there. I am in my stores most days. I am working on my brand creatively most days- but I prioritize my life and my personal goals. I give myself a schedule and really stick to it. I turn my blackberry off and push my teams to take leadership. Things are never the same, when it’s not you- but it’s important to know the sacrifice that comes with that. I really want to be present in my own life, so I have to allow for things to not be 100%, in exchange for having a personal balance. Its making me a better friend, partner, sister and daughter- and I take a lot of pride in that. ! |
