Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Khalil.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
One day in the year 1981, I found myself in the USA, newly married without any family from my home in Egypt. I was 22 years old, naive, and without any life experience. My English was broken and all I had to my name was a bachelor degree in accounting.
My life was brand new and I essentially had to start from scratch; no doubt tears were shed for fear of the unknown and being far away from family. I took it a day at a time. I taught myself the English language, customs of the American people, and as the days progressed, I felt more accepted as a member of the society.
One day as I was getting my nails done, I had thought to myself, “Why not just own my own salon!?” The following day, I had enrolled myself in a beauty school while also still working at the bank. This was the true test of my time management skills, balancing my children’s lives/responsibilities with my own. After working tirelessly throughout the year, I finally earned my esthetician license. Unfortunately, during this time, I neglected my body and found myself suddenly too overweight to physically function and without the esthetician job I had worked so hard for.
Within 3 months, I shed 27 pounds and finally had the confidence to visit multiple salons inquiring about open positions. I was finally hired by J.C. Penney with a starting salary of $5.15/hour. Despite the salary, I was thankful for the opportunity and made most of what God had provided. I excelled at the brow shaping service and within 4 months, I had gained great popularity amongst the J.C Penney and mall employees as well as salon clients. I decided to move on to a better opportunity about a year later.
I was hired by Neiman Marcus Estee Lauder spa and within 5 months, I would only have enough time in my schedule to see my own clients and would have turn away walk-ins or random group spa day. The title “The Brow Queen” is one I earned during my employment at the Estee’ Lauder spa in Neiman Marcus’ North Park mall. I began to build the loyal clientele whose word-of-mouth recommendations have made my name one of the most sought-after and trusted esthetician in brow shaping and brow wax in Dallas, Texas. 9 months of employment, I decided to pursue my next endeavor of business ownership.
I was not as successful as I had anticipated during the first year of my independence and at some points, considered resigning and forfeiting my esthetician license. Luckily, I had a close friend that was involved in the field who convinced me to stick to it and to continue pursuing my dreams. In order to increase the popularity of my name, I decided to create a website. The price of hiring a professional website developer was overwhelming. So, I decided to create my own website. It was, difficult, and required hours upon hours of reading and late nights. Finally, after 8 months of tears and frustration, in 2006 I published my first website.
During the first few years of owning my own business, I tried several different eyebrow makeup brands but wasn’t fully pleased with any of them. I contacted a local chemist and within a year, we had created my new eyebrow makeup line and within short years has gained popularity. I also created skin care line which I named Nouvelle Beauté which means “New Beauty”. Nouvelle Beauté is a natural products line. It contains natural ingredients such as: * Allantoin * Vitamin A * Vitamin E * Vitamin C * Green Tea
Here is one of my skin care client’s feedback:
“Laura took the time to talk with me about my concerns and her comprehensive approach to skincare. We discussed my diet and lifestyle, and she helped me get started on a whole new skincare regimen. Laura customized my skincare treatment to my specific needs, and I began using her Nouvelle Beauté skincare and makeup products which have made a huge difference.”
I have been nominated in D Magazine as one of Dallas’ best every year since 2008 and have won “Best of Big D” in multiple categories such as; best brows, best lashes, best facials, best waxing, and best spray tan in Dallas Fort Worth. Furthermore, D Beauty wrote an article on one of my most popular services, eyelash perms and I was even featured on the Good Morning Texas morning show to highlight my expertise and methods of eyebrow shaping. I always say “Thinning Eyebrows is a “CRIME” I WILL NOT COMMIT!!
I also offer one-on-one hands-on advanced training classes for licensed cosmetologists with no confusing DVD training to watch, no group workshops, and will be actual models to work on. Those classes are; brow shaping and design, eyelash perming, facial massage techniques, permanent hair removal electrolysis, non-cancerous moles, skin tags, cherry angiomas, sebaceous hyperplasia, spider vein removal, and more.
God blessed me with two sons and so I consider every female client a daughter, sister, or mother. We share life stories and connect in deeper, more intimate levels during visits. Perhaps my most important assignment is to care for both mentally and physically abused women referred to me by my church parish.
Life is a journey full of trials and tribulations and I believe the key to experience true fulfillment is to embrace EVERY moment and thank God for the blessings He has given us. Our dreams will come true if we continue to have the courage to pursue them! I am getting closer to retirement and looking back, I can thank God and say was all WORTH IT!
Contact Info:
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Address: 9669 North Central Expressway
Dallas Texas 75231, Suite 250 - Website: Www.laurathebrowqueen.com
- Phone: 214 682 0840
- Email: lk@laurathebrowqueen.com
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
