RTDM: Sissy Duncan
Sissy Duncan Owner of Hello Gorgeous Beauty Lounge
Indian Trail, NC
Briefly tell us about yourself: Where you came from, where you've been and how you're living your dream?
I was born in Rome, NY and moved all over the United States with my family at an early age. My father was in the AirForce and we traveled a lot. My mother and my older brother and I moved from the AirForce Base in Nevada to Cleveland, Ohio- when I was just a toddler. My brother and I didn't have the best childhood during the early years. My Father and Mother did not get along while we were young. My mom was a hard worker. She showed me at an early age to be your own advocate, fight for what you want and do what is best for you. These are words that I live by! While living in Ohio, my mom moved us to Charlotte, NC with my soon to be Step Dad when I was in 3rd Grade. Eventually, after living in Charlotte for 5 years my Mother and Step Dad married and I gained 3 more brothers! Charlotte is where I finally started my roots, where I consider HOME and where I found my passion in the Beauty Industry! I have been living my dream of being a hair and make-up artist since I was 17 years old. I have worked on Film Sets, worked with celebrities, TV, special events and have been published 12 times. After a while, my dream in the beauty industry continued to grow. I went back to school to get my Aesthetics License. Shortly after, I became Certified in Microblading. I am living a dream I have had since I was 4 years old. I am creating beauty in people that don't have the best self-esteem and helping find their confidence again! I am giving people an outlet to have "ME TIME" away from things that can cause stress or anxiety or just needing a break. I love being their outlet from the busy world we live in. I'm living my dream by helping women and men re-connect with themselves. Even if its just for a day or a moment. Its worth making them feel GORGEOUS!
How do you define success?
I define Success as never giving up, even if you fail miserably, as long as you get back up and try again! Success is always believing in yourself no matter what others say. Doing what you believe matters and putting that effort into something and seeing its full potential is amazing and BadA$$. If I did not believe in myself when I was 17 years old... I wouldn't be where I am today. A Boss Babe who runs Hello Gorgeous Beauty Lounge! I promised myself that whatever my dreams are- that I would attempt them and make them a reality.
What did it take to make your dream happen and how do you make it sustainable?
My dream came true by being my own advocate. I had to go to the library to read up on hair and make-up and practice, practice, practice. (If only I had YouTube back then. It would have been a lot easier....haha) I didn't let fear steer me away and followed my dreams. I would talk about my passion to everyone I met. Which eventually led me to my first film gig at just 18 years old.
What are you most proud of? Go ahead, boast a little!
What am I most proud of? I am most proud of myself. That I believed in myself at 17 years old to follow my dreams. That I never gave up on myself! Even when things were tough and I wasn't sure when the next paycheck would be. I never gave up! I pushed through it. I didn't realize how strong I was until I failed and got right back up. Shook it off and hit the ground running. I have never looked back and I am constantly pushing through which has led me to where I am today. Married 10 years with an adorable 8 year old son and self employed/business owner and soon to be Salon and Spa owner with other Stylists! AGH... I cannot wait!
What was your biggest obstacle/fear and what was your turning point?
My biggest obstacle was having the courage to expand and finding the right moment of being ready. A little over a year ago, I almost took the leap and was scared and decided to wait a little longer. Well, a year later I was ready to take that leap and signed a new lease with room to grow for Hello Gorgeous Beauty Lounge to expand with other Stylists and Estheticians.
What’s the best advice you’d give to a younger you?
The best advice I would give my younger self: Sleep more and take more days off for you and your family! Your health and mind is important too! You don't always have to take every job that comes along.. Not all money is good money!
How do you stay motivated and purposeful when you feel overwhelmed?
I stay motivated and purposeful when I feel overwhelmed by talking my husbands ear off. Over and over again about my day, what I need to do, how I need to do it and get his advice. Then 5 minutes later I ask him again....haha. I also write it down and have tasks to keep me in check!
Tell us a time when a perceived failure was actually a blessing in disguise or served you in a surprising way.
Actually, I just experienced hardship. The roof in my current studio fell from a storm- water flowed everywhere, causing damage to my newly redecorated studio. It was a disaster! I was panicky at first and freaked out about my days I had booked at the studio. I was amazed at the help I got to move belongings and salvage what I could out of my space. People were opening up their homes, their salons, their business- even competitors, just to help me out so I could continue to work and take my clients. I was and am still so very grateful to everyone to help me stay positive. Dealing with insurance claims and renters insurance isn't fun but the people I had around me helped me get through it. For that I am grateful!
What is your favorite vice/guilty pleasure/strange habit? Come on now, we all have them!
My guilty pleasure is buying a ton of junk food and watching netflix all night with my cats and dogs! This is my me time! That is what I call an amazing night.
What's the smartest investment you’ve made for yourself?
The smartest investment I have ever made for myself is continuing to educate myself. I love to keep my mind young by learning new trades in the Beauty Industry. It has helped me tremendously gaining additional knowledge and skills. When I took the Microblading course, I traveled all the way to Vancouver, B.C. to learn. After a year of doing Microblading, I became an Apprentice Trainer with the company I trained with: CurveBrows. Next, I will be traveling to learn Permanent Brow, Eyeliner and Lip Blushing with the same company. I’m so excited!
What’s MOST important to you right now?
The most important thing to me right now is to help support my family and provide for my son’s future and continue to be my best self; of course my clients and my teammates who help me with gigs. Without them, I wouldn't be able to do what I am doing today! They all make me better!
What have you learned to say no to?
This is still a tough one for me! Its hard for me to say NO. I have learned to say NO on occasion and keep family time, family time. This is definitely something I will most likely always need to work on! Its hard when you love what you do!
What's something surprising about you?
I am the crazy cat lady! Its true, it was even in my school newspaper senior year. I’m obsessed with cats and will stop my car and chase all the strays just so I can snuggle them! I have 2 cats at home. One I call my spirit animal, because I can just meow and he will come running. He even waits for me to get home and follows me around. I LOVE HIM
Who is a Risk Taker Dream Maker that's inspired you?
Melissa Dawson- Owner of Whats Up Buttercup
Follow Sissy:
www.hellogorgeousnc.com
insta @hellogorgeousnc
fb @hellogorgeousnc
