Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Miguel Rodriguez, Founder of MR. Brows, located in Chicago, IL, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

MR. Brows is a wax studio for everyone! I originally started my business by providing my clients eyebrow/facial waxing services. Eventually, I moved into offering male and trans-female intimate waxing services as well. As a salon professional who has worked in the industry for ten years, I've experienced many kinds of waxing businesses as a client and an employee. In my opinion, it seemed like many of those places performed as if they were little Brow Factories. They wanted you to get your client in for their wax, sell them some products and send them on their way, all within 15 minutes. Can it be done, of course! Did I think it was a great business model - No. When it comes to a service where you are touching someone, you connect with them. I feel it is important to engage with your client, get to know them, and give them a great experience and a great result. At MR. Brows, the client never feels rushed through a service or pressured to buy any of our products.

Our customers are loyal regulars who understand that it's important to take time for yourself and that the little things like getting your brows done can make a difference not only in how you look but how you feel!

Tell us about yourself

Fun fact: I started in esthetics because I wanted to work as a makeup artist and drag queen! When I finished my esthetics program, I got a job doing facials and makeup - it was great! The only problem with starting out as a brand new esthetician is that I had no actual clients and found that I wasn't as busy as I had hoped to be. In my world, if you're not working on a client, you're not really making money. On a mission to find a job that would pay more, I found my true passion - Eyebrows! The instant gratification that the client receives after a service has always been my favorite part of what I do and continues to motivate me to maintain the standard I have set for myself and my brand.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

To be honest, I feel that my biggest accomplishment as a business owner so far has been how I managed to navigate myself through the pandemic/lockdown and come out of it doing better than ever! While I was forced out of my business until it was safe to work again, I had to devise a game plan to ensure that I could keep my doors open once the city allowed us to get back to work. Fortunately, "the plan" worked out in my favor.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

I would have to say that the most challenging aspect of being a business owner is managing that work/life balance. As a business owner, you never really clock out. Whether I'm responding to client messages or just thinking ahead and planning for the future of MR. Brows, I'm always on duty.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Don't stress how many other people are offering the services you offer because you're the most unique part of your client's experience.
  2. Having a side hustle while laying the groundwork for your business is always a great idea, but don't let it become a crutch!
  3. Step back and look at your target audience. Ask yourself if you're doing everything you can to reach them.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://mrbrowschicago.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrBrowsChicago/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/browguy_miguel/


If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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