Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaqueline Velazquez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jaqueline. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Brow Bunny is part of my rebirth.
About seven years ago, I found myself at LA USC in ICU fighting for my life after being struck by two vehicles.
That catastrophic car accident changed my life literally overnight.
I broke my pelvis in four areas, split liver, torn diaphragm, hairline fracture on my neck, internal bleeding.
After being in ICU for over a month and a half, I had many surgeries, I was released to go home only to be bedridden for four months. I eventually graduated into a walker, then crutches and finally learned how to walk again after being admitted into physical therapy for an entire year.
In that month and a half, I was in the hospital, I lost EVERYTHING. I mean EVERYTHING. My beautiful apartment and all three of my jobs. I used to take pride in working 2-3 jobs, I loved being busy, plus my jobs where fun!
Once released from the hospital, I went to live in my mother’s garage. I could no longer do for myself.
I spent an entire year of solitude in that garage trying to heal physically mentally and emotionally.
Since I can remember, I have always been a person of faith. My grandmother instilled that in me at a very young age, but I can honestly say that year is when my faith was really tested and it was also when I began a connection with myself and my higher power.
After having all of that happen to a person, you’re kind of left lost and having to reinvent yourself. There were times I wanted to give in to what the Dr’s told me “you will never be able to bear another child or walk normally again” after my time in therapy was over, I was left hunched over and with a huge noticeable limp.
I did not know where to start, but I didn’t give in. I began to pray for clarity and guidance.
I knew that I didn’t want to go back to working a job for the purpose of security and modeling was no longer something that fulfilled me.
I decided to go back to doing what I love HAIR. Soon, I realized it was no longer a passion of mine, it was no longer fun for me. I was back at square one. Now, what? I prayed more.
I knew I wanted to help others make a difference somehow, but remaining in the beauty industry.
One day while I was researching what else was out there that interested me and that I could pursue I found this really cool technique called microblading. There were art and blood involved (I wanted to be an embalmer before this lol) it looked fun AND I could change people’s life!! I’m all in!!!
Microblading was so new out here I couldn’t find a training facility in Los Angeles that didn’t want to charge me an arm and a leg. After four months of research, I found a place in New Orleans. I took the last 2k that had to my name, I paid the class, my flight, and my air b&b!
From the moment I walked into the class, I knew that this was EXACTLY where I needed to be. I fell in love with.
When the class ended, I knew that this was the beginning of something bigger than me.
I immediately knew that I was going to bring this back to my community not only as a service, but I was going to teach it. I’ve always wanted to give back to my community and this was gonna be the way to do it.
I came back to LA got my experience, took more courses in the US and out of the country to perfect my craft and here we are four years later, teaching and doing what I love!
I began in Glendale, then DTLA and moved my way into East Los Angeles
Which I take pride in because it’s where I grew up and it is the community I want to serve. Our clients come from all over so it’s very convenient because we are central and close to many fwy’s.
Brow Bunny started with one chair and now have a full training facility where our students get to have hands-on experience.
I went from losing everything including myself, making 14.50hr living in a garage to rediscovering a whole new woman, now a celebrity brow artist became a successful 6 figure chick in less than a year from the birth of Brow Bunny. I recently checked HOMEOWNER off my list. Total proud moment for any single mother and guess what??? I walk normal again!!! GOD IS GOOD.
Not bad for a Boyle Heights, the project raised, little barrio girl, huh? Lol…
I share this with you all not to boast, but in hopes that if you are reading this you too start believing and listening to that nudge, you feel in your heart about a passion, idea or dream that you have.
Getting to this point has demanded hard work, dedication, sacrifices, late nights, early morning, but more importantly, faith. Faith in knowing that you’re already well equipped to jump and take the same leap of faith that I did.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been a pretty smooth road for the most part. I will say that before Brow Bunny I had no business experience other than door to door selling hand made bows that I made at 10 years old. LOL.
So, I’ve had to learn the business side of things along the way hasn’t been that difficult. Like anything trial and error is your best teacher.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Brow Bunny – what should we know?
Brow Bunny started as a beauty room where we offered microblading, facial waxing and spray tanning, but I always knew that it will eventually be an academy, so we intentionally kept our menu small.
We are now a full training facility.
We offer our regular services throughout the week and have a set schedule every month for our classes.
We have added a couple of services along the way simply because it’s convenient to our clients, but we specialize in microblading/permanent makeup.
We are best known for our signature “natural brow.”
Eyebrows are definitely the new black, but it’s important in my opinion to make sure they match your facial features. I’ve never been a fan of the very bold “L.A. brow.” We love an arched, well defined, yet soft and feminine eyebrow. It’s what our clients ask for every time.
To achieve that look, we definitely take measurements of where the eyebrow should begin and end, but after that, it’s pretty much freehand. I love that my clients trust my freehand art enough to say go for it! LOL…
As a company, I am very proud that In such a booming industry we have stayed loyal and committed to our vision and mission.
Although microblading/permanent make up is now becoming a very competitive industry, it is still high in demand leaving room for service price inflation.
Our mission here at Brow Bunny is and has always been to serve our local communities. We get people from all over California and other states, but it starts here at home.
We believe that beauty should be accessible to all not just the rich and famous.
Same goes for education, it should not cost you an arm and a leg to feel beautiful or to get yourself into an industry that can lead you to financial freedom.
From the day I took that class in New Orleans, I knew my mission was to help others who perhaps have been in my shoes. To help that single mother who is just getting by, that young girl who can’t afford a college education, that Spanish speaking woman who wants to get ahead but has a language barrier, that woman who is tired of working that job but can’t leave because it’s financial security.
I think it’s because we stick to the values that set us apart from the competition.
It’s simple, the client is happy, I’m happy WE ALL WIN!
That’s the Brow Bunny way.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I am very thankful to my close circle of badass friends. Some are business owners and some are not, but they all put on different hats to help me whether it’s advice or hands-on painting moving things around, lol… I’m thankful for my PA, she’s my right hand and we have gotten through some hard long days together. When I can’t do something, she always gets things done. Thankful to my past and present staff for making this journey a more fulfilled and happy one.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5631 e. Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90022 - Phone: 323 3847252
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @browbunny_
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