Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Breakall.
Kelly, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and raised in San Diego. I began my career in Law Enforcement almost right out of high school and held several different positions in that field for about 14 years. I had originally started Esthetics school when I was 19 but never finished because my shift at work was constantly changing and I needed the financial security and benefits that came with my government job. I always regretted not finishing school. In my early 30’s, I decided I needed a change. Now a wife and mother, I wanted to be home more and I wanted to do something that made people happy, myself included. So at 32 years old, I went back to school and obtained my Esthetics license. While in school, I did additional training on cosmetic tattooing and earned several certifications in microblading, eyebrow tattooing, permanent eyeliner, and lip blush tattooing.
In 2019, I took a huge leap and built Skin and Tonique from the ground up. I wanted to create a new opportunity for others who might be struggling to “make it” in this very competitive industry. I needed a very specific type of workspace to be able to do cosmetic tattooing in a certified Body Art Facility, so I built my own! I am proud to say I have built a unique type of space where my colleagues and I can practice whatever beauty services we choose, with freedom to grow and nothing to hold us back. I love learning and always strive to be the best, both personally and professionally. So, I try to surround myself with likeminded people. I believe I am only as good as my reputation, and my goal is to maintain Skin and Tonique’s reputation for having the highest level of service and using the highest quality ingredients. When I am not working or continuing my education, I am supporting other local businesses as an Escondido resident, spending time with my husband, kids, and French Bulldog, Pepé.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has certainly not been a smooth road. As a new business owner, I had to learn about commercial leases, taxes, licensing, building permits, and construction. I had to make sure my business was compliant with local, state, and federal requirements, as well as the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology and the County Health Department. I am not tech-savvy, so I’ve relied heavily on my husband’s support with anything related to my website, marketing, or advertising. That alone could be a full-time job. Needless to say, I had to learn a lot, really fast. Another challenge is how quickly the permanent makeup and beauty industry is growing. Training can be very, very expensive and you have to stay ahead of the game to be competitive, and for me, that means being the best. For young women or even not-so-young women, just starting their journey, I would say to do what you want and don’t let anyone or anything hold you back. It’s okay to want to try something new, even if people think it’s crazy. Take risks or you will never know what you are capable of. I was comfortable in a career for nearly half my life before making a complete 180. It was scary to get outside my comfort zone and go back to school with a group of girls who were mostly much younger than me, but I am so glad I did. I have met some amazing people. I am where I’m supposed to be.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Skin and Tonique story. Tell us more about the business.
I specialize in permanent makeup, also called cosmetic tattoos, microblading eyebrows, eyeliner tattoos, and lip blush tattoos. I also provide skincare services like facials and chemical peels, eyelash extensions, waxing, and airbrush spray tanning. A huge part of what I do is educating people. I’ve noticed a lot of my skincare clients just need to know what works for their skin. I have had many clients who come to me after suffering with acne for years because they were using products that were doing more bad than good, or they just didn’t know what to do. Many of my services also help people save time. Imagine going from spending 30 minutes every morning putting on a face-full of makeup, or trying to get your brows just right, to just rolling out of bed with it already on! That can be a huge game-changer for some people. What I am most proud of is my amazing clients and the fact that they come back and recommend me to their friends and family. This tells me that I am doing something right and all my hard work has been worth it.
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
Learn as much as you can. Network and share information. A lot of people will hold onto information or charge lots of money for it. The way I see it is, if I share what I know, I will be helping the entire industry. There are too many people out there getting subpar training and then doing bad work and it makes us all look bad. Help our industry become more successful.
Pricing:
- Microblading or Shading Brows $400
- Lip Blush $350
- Eyeliner Tattoo $250-$400
Contact Info:
- Address: 300 S Escondido Blvd.
Escondido, CA 92025 - Website: www.skinandtonique.com
- Phone: 7604984493
- Email: info@skinandtonique.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skin.and.tonique/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skinandtoniqueLLC
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Skin_n_Tonique
- Other: https://www.tumblr.com/dashboard/blog/skinandtonique
Image Credit:
Jenny Mann Photography
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