Today we’d like to introduce you to Sasha Flanagan and Simone Smith.
In 2010, Sasha graduated from the University of Oklahoma and Simone graduated from Baylor University. They then decided to go to graduate school together in the fall of 2010 at the University of Oklahoma. Simone began playing around in makeup and decided to start a YouTube channel doing makeup tutorials under the name RebelDiva19. Simone’s channel started a buzz on campus and she began getting asked to do makeup for some of the scholarship pageants and special events. Simone then brought Sasha along for a few gigs and she really enjoyed doing makeup and even hair styling for pageants and friends graduation pictures. Word spread quickly and before they knew it, they were running a hair and makeup shop out of the living room of their apartment. In the fall of 2011, their grandmother became extremely ill and their mother asked if they could come home to help out. They moved back to Houston and decided to come up with a business name and continue their hair and makeup in the living area of their grandmothers home, now called DoubleDutchInc! Double because they’re twins, Dutch because they would work together/tag team to finish a clients hair or makeup, and Inc because they thought it made them sound official!
Their business grew significantly, and in 2012 they rented a small room in the back of a Beauty salon in 3rd ward Houston. They learned so much during that year about running a business and needed more space, so they relocated to share a space with a Houston photographer, who would help them brand themselves, get a noticeable website, and expand their clientele to work with names like Meghan James, Aarian Foster, and Star Jones. They are now located in the up and coming EADO area of Houston and recently launched their 2018 Summer Campaign, their services list and skill set has expanded tremendously, and they pride themselves in offering a quality experience in premier beauty services.
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?
We have encountered several obstacles and challenges along this journey of entrepreneurship, but we wouldn’t change a thing. We sacrificed our personal goals, at times, to propel our business through financial investment, marketing, and training. We’ve made some mistakes, but we’ve learned from every single one. If you are just starting your journey, plan and pray, pray and plan. Set goals in writing and create an accountability system for yourself. You literally can accomplish whatever you set out to do!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with DoubleDutch Beauty Studio – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Sasha is a Licensed Esthetician, Braider, and Professional Makeup Artist. Simone is a Professional Makeup Artist, Braider, and Natural Hair Stylist. We provide premier services for all Beauty and makeup related needs including bridal, lifestyle, private instruction, protective styling, facial waxing, brow tinting, and permanent makeup. We specialize in creating a clean, calm, friendly environment where you leave feeling better than when you came, inside and out! We are most proud that our brand represents and feels like family with all of our clients; we are also very giving as individuals and as a company.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
When choosing a source for advice and mentorship, we chose individuals who we admired personally and professionally that also possessed a wealth of knowledge that we could mutually benefit from. We’ve taken makeup classes, attended hair shows, and training in permanent makeup by industry professionals that we respect, are serious about their craft, and understand the value of people.
Women who go after what they want inspire me. The business owners, the dedicated, the resilient, the world changers. The ones who let nothing get in their way. That’s who I strive to be like.
Pricing:
- Signature Makeup Application $75
- Crochet Protective Styling $155
- Permanent Brows $350 & up (starting January 2019)
Contact Info:
- Address: 3420 Rusk Street
Studio 30
Houston, Texas 77003 - Website: Www.doubledutchinc.com
- Phone: 832-833-9797
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Instagram.com/DoubleDutchBeautyStudio
- Facebook: Facebook.com/DoubleDutchBeautyStudio
- Twitter: Twitter.com/DoubleDutchInc
- Other: Youtube.com/DoubleDutchInc
Image Credit:
Jaren Collins of JCi Creatives
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