Meet Breanna (Bre) Miller of Breanna Rae Bridal and Beauty Event Salon in 4S Ranch

Today we’d like to introduce you to Breanna (Bre) Miller.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Breanna. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I knew from the time I was nine years old that I wanted to do hair and makeup. I loved not only the transformation that could be created but the joy and confidence someone had after having their hair and/or makeup done. I was determined to start my career as soon as possible. This passion created a drive in me that was unstoppable. I graduated a year early, taking on all of my senior classes with my junior classes, and worked a full-time job, all so I could start my career. Graduated at 16, turned 17 a month later, and moved out a month after. Two months later and I was in Cosmetology school while working full time. I was working jobs I did not want to make a career out of, but it gave me even more drive to pursue my dreams. I graduated Cosmetology school at 18 and started my career immediately.

After five years behind a chair, working commission and booth rental positions, I decided to go back to school to be a Cosmetology instructor. I remained behind a chair full time, worked weddings, and did my instructors training at night. I became a full-time Cosmetology Instructor by the age of 24 and trained hundreds of people to receive their Cosmetology license. I was the core state board instructor of the school I worked at, and had our pass rate at 100%, making us the highest passing school in Northern California at that time. During my time as an instructor, I trained with Matrix to be an educator as well. This was such an exciting time in my career.

I was an instructor for 3 1/2 years and loved it. After some unfortunate changes within the school I was working, I decided to move on, and was given an opportunity to help manage the McClellan AFB Salon. It was an honor to serve those who serve our country. I continued my career path in Southern California a few years later. In Southern California, I started doing retail merchandising and education/product knowledge classes with Wella, Sebastian, and Nioxin for multiple salons.

I started feeling stagnant in my career, so I shook things up and went back to school again: this time for Master Makeup Artistry. I had done makeup for weddings for years but wanted to expand on my skills by learning theatrical and special effects makeup. I met amazing artists and photographers throughout my education and made awesome connections. These connections scored me a position on Fashion Week San Diego’s makeup team.

During this time, I was slowly building my own businesses doing hair and makeup for weddings, and women’s color and cuts. I was looking for ways to keep up with all of my other skill sets and a friend of mine referred me to a mobile salon business she worked for. So I applied and took on another job doing mostly men’s haircuts. I now manage four mobile salons, one brick and mortar, and have partnered with this company to provide added services for my wedding hair and makeup business.

With the help of my education, combined with experience, my business has grown dramatically. I now have a team of amazing hair and makeup artists, and my wedding hair and makeup business has taken me all over the country to do what I love. My passion and love for this industry has lasted most of my life, and I’m eternally grateful to have this beautiful industry as part of my core being.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Along the way, I had to take breaks in my career. I ended my toxic marriage and became a single mother of 3, with one of my children having special needs. I was needed at home to do In-Home Therapies for my son, which became my full-time job for two years. When my son graduated his In Home Therapies and started school, I felt lost. I had been out of the beauty industry and doubted my abilities to rebuild enough clientele to support my family. So I went to school for Medical Billing and Coding thinking I needed a desk job. While working to support my children, I was still able to graduate at the top of my class. I was proud I had accomplished this, but my soul was not fulfilled working behind a desk. I came to realize at this time that doing hair and makeup, helping to bring joy, love, and beauty to someone’s life, was at the core of who I am. This led me back to my lifelong passion and essentially saved my soul.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Breanna Rae Bridal and Beauty Event Salon – what should we know?
I love doing hair color, men and women’s haircuts, and creative makeup, but my specialty is in wedding hair and makeup. Playing a part in one of the biggest days of someone’s life is such an honor. I truly believe in the African Proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” The thing I am most proud of as a company is the ability to collaborate and partner with other amazing businesses that share similar values and a passion for what they do.

I’ve partnered with the mobile salon business I manage STERLINGS Mobile Salon to provide my wedding parties with the option of having the salon/ barbershop come to them. I’ve always done “On Location” services for weddings, but there weren’t many options for groom’s parties or brides with an outdoor venue and no location for their bridal party to all get ready. These mobile airstream salons come fully equipped with surround sound, its own water and power source, central heat and air, a fridge for food and drinks, and 2-3 salon stations to provide services.

Also, I’m incredibly proud to say I’ve partnered with Your Truth Foundation, a local non-profit who provides resources and education to at-risk youth in the San Diego area. My business helps provide a community closet through this amazing organization for low income and homeless families. As a child, I grew up in poverty and went without at times. As an adult, when I needed to be at home to do my sons therapies, I was forced to go on county assistance. This was an incredibly humbling point in my life, and it was not easy for me to ask for help. Especially since I had been so driven and independent all my life. I now have the ability to give back, and am grateful and honored to do so. Partnering with other companies, artists, and creatives to provide unique and innovative services is what I believe sets my companies apart.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Having drive and perseverance I believe are some of the qualities that create great success for any entrepreneur. My desire to keep growing within my craft and as a human being are the characteristics that create even greater success for me. Its an amazing and wonderful feeling to be recognized by your peers and to inspire others, but nothing beats knowing my children are proud of me. I will continue to persevere and overcome barriers and obstacles to continuously inspire them. Being able to inspire my children to pursue their dreams will be my greatest legacy.