Your client is your boss.
Business owner Karline DePass
Karline Depass, owner of Nana Bella spa, wants single moms to know that they too can follow their dreams and start their own businesses. Starting with only 10 dollars and a prayer, Nana Bella has been flourishing and evolving in beauty industry. The beauty spa offers popular treatments such as Vampire Facials (where they use YOUR OWN BLOOD to give you a natural glow), Microblading (for everlasting eyebrows on fleek), Botox, and other makeup services! From plucking and waxing clients, to employing a talented staff of beauticians, Karline the beauty queen shares her Cinderella story and the unglamorous side of the the beauty business. Go inside our conversation here.
Mel Writes: Tell me about Nana Bella Spa and Beauty Salon?
Karline Depass: I started out with just me. I started out in the beauty business waxing. I use to live in New York City. I went to beauty school in Manhattan, then the rest is history. I found a place on Long Island and within days I signed a lease with $10 to my name and literally prayed that everything worked out. I put up the walls. I was my own contractor.
How was business starting out compared to now?
It was slow for a year and a half and then I remember it got super busy. I was working 15 hour days. Now I have 6 employees. I also partnered a with a dermatologist so we can offer cosmetic facials and other botox treatments.
Where did you get the name from?
Everyone since I could remember, everyone calls me Nana and my daughter’s name is (Isa) Bella. It’s simple but me. And everyone loves it and there’s a lot of Italians in my area so the name resonates.
How long did it take you to open Nana Bella?
I didn’t have a business plan and just put myself out there, within a matter of days it was happening.
How was the process as a single mom?
I am very lucky. I have my mom and family to help me. A lot of times I am working late and it is tough on everyone. It is all because of my support system.
What are 5 suggestions for women who aspire to be #mompreneurs?
- Support system.
- Be sure this is the path you want to go down. It consumes a lot of energy and a lot of times there are days that I don’t even see my daughter.
- Shadow an entrepreneur and understand what it takes to really become a successful businesswoman.
- Take care of yourself first. If you aren’t in a good mental space, everything is going to crumble.
- Remember that your clients are your boss. They make or break you.