Speaker 1 0:30

My name is Heidi Gracie Shea. I am a local professional hair and makeup artist right here in Leesburg. I do service all through our DMV area, but this has been home. This is primarily where I do and offer my services from everywhere, from bridal to homecoming, special events, photo shoots and commercial work as well.

Speaker 2 0:51

Amazing, and I know that a lot of our clients have been to you before they come. I do. Yes, I love it. Yeah, it's amazing. Again, welcome to the show. If you could take me back, what drew you to the?

From Tomboy to Beauty Professional

Speaker 1 1:08

world of makeup and hair. Initially, give me a quick kind of overview of your journey. That's a funny story, actually, for me. I stayed away from beauty everything growing up as such a tomboy, so youngest of three brothers, and so yeah, in Arizona and then military brat and overseas in Germany. So I was like rough, tough and that I was going to be a soldier like my dad. So I was not like playing Barbie, I was with the GI Joe.

Speaker 1 1:29

So actually coming into the beauty industry just goes to show sometimes your career picks you and you don't pick your career. But I was just looking for work at the time out of high school and looking for any odd job to make money. And my mom's neighbor actually was a master stylist in Fairfax and she's like we need work, we need helpers. So I'm like sign me up, and first day of work I end up carpooling in with her and she goes, she goes, you ready for today. I'm like I'm excited, I'm going to be her assistant. She's like no, and I'm like what, long story short, I started from the bottom shampoo girl in the hair salon and so I didn't think I had a passion for it.

Speaker 1 2:10

But being there for a couple months the owners were like we love you, that, the stylists love you. We've heard great feedback from our clients Like we would love to just keep you on board. I'm like not as a shampoo girl. So they're like, well, what do you want to do? And you know salon management, and I was like actually I could see myself behind the chair. And so they offered apprenticeship program and that's kind of how it started and so been over 25 years now. Wow, yeah, that's amazing.

Speaker 2 2:36

Yeah, it's crazy to envision that. You never thought that you would be in this place and you were such a tomboy, such a tomboy.

Speaker 1 2:43

I still I tell my ladies I'm like, look, I enjoy and have a passion for doing other people's hair and makeup. Myself not so much, so I'm typically the hair and makeup girl that does not wear like doing her hair or doing her makeup, but I got pretty today, yeah.

Speaker 2 2:57

I get it. I was kind of the same way, like I was a little bit of a tomboy in high school and in middle school, but I would love doing everyone else's makeup for, like, the theater productions and things like that. But then later I got into doing my own makeup.

Speaker 1 3:12

I love that. I love that. I will say I did. I it's, I think, always trails of you know your passions or what you're driven for early on. And although I say I wasn't into hair and makeup, I did know how to braid, and so that was like a school, high school hustle, because I knew how to braid. So, being a tomboy and playing sports, I was doing like all the little tight corn rolls and for girls and boys, and so braiding was my skill.

Speaker 2 3:37

So cool. I kind of was doing hair without me knowing it. Amazing what inspired you to start Voila Style and how has your vision evolved over the years?

Birth of Voila Style

Speaker 1 3:46

It definitely has evolved. Voila Style started actually still primarily in cutting colors. I kind of gradually became a stay-at-home mom after my second son was born and my mom was six, yeah, six.

Speaker 2 3:59

And I just had a grandbaby. Well, I didn't have a grandbaby.

Speaker 1 4:01

My son had a grandbaby, but no, becoming a stay-at-home mom, which I never expected. I mean completely driven and love what I get to do, but not having friends or family in this area, and so playdates. I was just hungry for connection and, you know, fellowship, and so playdates started consisting of, you know, talks of like, what did you do before a stay at home, mama? What did you do? And with that, when ladies found out I did hair and makeup, they're like, oh my gosh, I haven't had a root touch up and my hair and this and Bobby needs a little haircut and do you do kids? And so that kind of personal lifestyle and providing services for you know, mommies, that just didn't have the time.

Speaker 1 4:43

I've seen too often that women, especially moms, put ourselves at the bottom of the totem pole. You know it's the husband, it's the business, it's the kids, the school, the running around, and then maybe them and so me being able to provide a service to help moms at that time primarily look and feel good and just remember that, like we're not just a human napkin, so, but going to their homes and doing cut and colors, and then again always special events on the side, but that's primarily how Fall Last Hour was birthed was just providing outside services locally.

Speaker 2 5:18

That's really beautiful. I love that and I'm sure it made such a difference in these women's lives like just getting to see themselves refreshed and remind themselves that they exist in the chaos of you know, taking care of everyone else.

Speaker 1 5:31

Well, it's relatable. I think for me it was. It became relatable Again, mom's sick. So with each child I think we can so easily lose our identity in a title of, you know, a mom, or even the profession that we're in or a wife, and so for me that was also kind of selfishly, my outlet of a reminder like, okay, I still have an identity, I'm blessed to be a mama and I'm blessed to do what I do. But this is, you know, it's mine.

Speaker 1 5:56

And in regards to voila evolving, I did kind of come to that crossroad of like, does it make sense to primarily focus in cut and colors, especially not having brick and mortar, versus specializing, you know, in my special events? And so that was something I was just like okay, does it make sense, you know business wise? And so I did. I did veering towards special events and all that fun stuff. I do still have some of my regular clients that just refuse to give me up.

Speaker 1 6:22

I was like I felt like I was doing them a disservice at a point and and that goes with, we call it kitchen hair sink. So when we're people's homes and I didn't have something set up properly for cutting colors, I started to feel bad. I was like you know, you're paying me this money to do your hair and I'm washing you out in a sink. At that point I was like I would rather you pay me to watch your kids and you go take that time for yourself and go to a salon. And that's kind of one of the reasons why I veered back from cutting colors and so it evolved more into again professional makeup and my beauty services.

Speaker 2 6:56

Awesome In regards to kind of professional makeup, beauty services, special events. How do you bring a luxury experience to clients, even in fast-paced or high-stress moments like weddings?

Speaker 1 7:08

Oh, my goodness, I think for me again growing up an Army brat, very just versatile kind of, you know, living overseas, and so I kind of I've been told I have a very high tolerance for just high situations. Again, mom is sick, so I think those are things that again equipped me without me even knowing. So, weddings I think I just the understanding of like this is a big day, so giving grace and just the reality. I'm like okay, at the end of the day just be here and smile and be the best for them, and after this I probably won't see him until maybe maternity pictures when they need photos.

Speaker 1 7:44

But no, as far as luxury, it goes beyond like product and the service itself. It's who you are, you know, and presenting, you know the atmosphere. We kind of set the tone and temperature. I think, especially in bridal we're typically the first service providers that these ladies have and see. So we're really setting the tone in the morning. So just coming in with my best self and hopefully that will bring out goodness and the best in them in that day and not only in just the artistry of what I get to do.

Speaker 2 8:15

Yeah, day and not only just in and um, the artistry of what I get to do. Yeah, yeah, and when they feel taken care of because you're so pleasant and sweet, then they'll, you know, hopefully be a little less stressed about the whole thing, because things like weddings are so stressful, like the thought of even starting to plan everything is, oh, it's a lot so I do.

Speaker 1 8:32

I try to make it as easy, as peasy as possible. You know you, I do care about all the details and I think even that has helped reassured a lot of my ladies and clients. You know, it's not only hair and makeup when we have trials and we start talking about the details as they unfold. You know, I want to know about the flowers, your colors, the jewelry that you're wearing, and I think even that is a step above what some artists may do at least feedback that I received and all those little details matter.

Speaker 1 9:00

So you're really looking at the whole picture Where's the event at the time of day. You know those type of things and that helps me, at least in my creativity and artistry, help create the perfect look for my talent or person in my chair.

Speaker 2 9:15

Yeah, really bringing their vision to life. Love that. What sets Wallah's style apart in a saturated hair and makeup industry.

Speaker 1 9:26

It is very saturated, I think, especially after COVID it definitely got additionally saturated. Honestly, and I just again, I think a lot of it, just my presence, who I am, I'm very personable. I want to know, like you know, at the end of the day, you know, nine out of 10 times it's like okay, when are we grabbing a cup of coffee, when are we going to go have a glass of wine or get the kids to get up and play? And so it's not just you know, you're not just somebody sitting in my chair just for a service, you know. So making that connection, which I believe in, feels something that is lost or getting diluted, more so. Now, you know, especially in a world with everybody, just it's all digital and texting and messaging, and I'm like, let's pick up a phone call, let's get together, and so I think that's something that kind of sets me apart.

Speaker 2 10:18

Yeah, that human connection.

Speaker 1 10:19

And you are so personable.

Speaker 2 10:21

Like you already have made all of us fall in love with you being in the studio for five minutes.

Speaker 1 10:26

I love that. Thank you, you're amazing.

Speaker 2 10:28

Can you walk us through what a typical client experience looks like, from first inquiry to the final reveal? Ah, yes.

Speaker 1 10:36

So I'm very grateful and blessed to say, primarily, a guilty confession to it. It's a good thing. Bad thing Primarily, my clients are word of mouth referrals, which I'm grateful for, but so typically it's, you know, somebody reaching out inquiry, again me messaging back, email texting, and then saying, hey, let's connect on a phone call, and again I think that's where the connection comes. Hey, let's connect on a phone call, and again I think that's where the connection comes. And so just getting all the details. You know what is this for? Is this for a photo shoot? Okay, what kind of photo shoot is this for? You know, do you have your attire? You know, I'd love to see those. They're inspirational photos, you know, let's talk about this. And so from there it's, you know, depending on the event, getting a trial scheduled and offering both hair and makeup. And offering both hair and makeup, I have some clients that may already have a hairstylist or may already have a makeup artist. So, depending on what I'm doing, it's like okay, can we collaborate with the other artist? And that's something that I enjoy doing too, which I know.

Empowering Women Through Beauty

Speaker 1 11:28

Some artists are kind of very separate and the industry is sometimes I don't want to say what's the word I'm going to use for this. I don't know. It used to be a very cutthroat industry. I probably don't know so much now just because of being independent, but in the salons it was like this is my client and so, but with that said, um, collaborating and getting to talk to the other artists if need be, um, sometimes the photographer you know what is, what is their vision, you know what kind of shoot, does this happen? You, you know what are you doing, and so, going through those steps from point A to all the way to the end, and even afterwards, you know, after the session is done, the shoot is done, you know, whatever the wedding is done, still kind of going back and reconnecting. So how was it? Is there anything that I can improve on which I'm a big advocate? I love feedback. There's always room for growth. There's always room for improvement. So Absolutely.

Speaker 2 12:21

That's how we are here too.

Speaker 1 12:22

I love that. Yeah, so good, get a call from us. I love that.

Speaker 2 12:26

Yep, what is your secret to helping women feel confident and beautiful in front of the camera?

Speaker 1 12:33

In front of the camera. Again, I think a lot of it comes within. I'm honored when I hear ladies like, oh, you made me beautiful. And I'm like, but I didn't make you beautiful. That's something enhancing. You know what you already have. And again, I think a lot of it comes from the time in my chair, you know, when they're in my chair, just kind of just reminding them like you are more than that title, those hats that you wear, you know a mom and stuff like that and and you have passions or you're talented and you're gifted in, you know your business, that, whatever you may be rebranding for this, you know upcoming shoot, and and again. So I think beauty is more than just what we see, you know, visually. And so I think the confidence, once they get that confidence, I'm like, oh, you know, you're right, I still got it. Or you know, I got these degrees and I am, you know, more than just a mom and I think that kind of reflects more than just visually what we see in front or behind a camera.

Speaker 2 13:30

Yeah, because I feel like it compliments the makeup and the hair. When you see that person light up from within, yeah, when you kind of remind them of how amazing they are, yeah, so I bet that's so fulfilling, that makes me so happy.

Speaker 1 13:42

No, I do. I love the artistry and the creativity that the industry offers. I will have to say I probably lean more towards that. I'm just a people person and that's the bonus. Getting to do their hair and makeup and the privilege of them entrusting me to do that is the bonus. But you know, the real thing is being the service provider and just connecting with people.

Speaker 2 14:04

Yeah, yeah. What's one specific moment with a client that reminded you why you do this work? Oof?

Speaker 1 14:10

one specific moment. It could be two, if you can't decide yeah, you can share a couple.

Speaker 1 14:16

Oh, you know it depends on what it is. You know I can't decide. Yeah, you can share a couple. Oh, you know, it depends on what it is. You know, again, I do everything across the board, from bridal commercial a boudoir client, I probably say. I think they each have a special place in my heart, whether it's boudoir, you know, weddings, again, to see loved ones together and celebrate this moment, you know, and a lot of times it's, you know, grandma there that is more mature and seasoned in her age, and so just to see those special, beautiful, intimate moments.

Speaker 1 14:47

And then boudoir, where, again, a lot of my ladies for boudoir, it's that we Sorry that's probably my, it's okay, but again, a lot of my boudoir ladies they're typically moms a little bit more seasoned, I'd say, in life and so just the reality of okay.

Speaker 1 15:07

It's sad that it's still taboo that, like, women can't be sexy or moms can't be sexy, and sexy necessarily isn't the clothes that we wear or the lack of in some sessions, but again, just the confidence. And so one particular client had a session and, fast forward, a couple months later her mom actually came in for a session, and so when I found out that you know mom was coming in and recalling who her daughter was, mom barely spoke English and so daughter was there to translate for mom. And I like to know the why, especially for people. I'm like why, what made you do this? And so to hear mom's why a daughter was completely just laughing, I'm like I need to know what she said, what she say, and so she goes. Well, tomorrow was never promised to us. She's still here and kicking and and that now they have fun good photos to pick through for her obituary, which sounded like a little, I know, but I was like but to see that, just that they carefree of it, right, she was just like, why not?

Speaker 1 16:09

And it was so fun. It was like just you know her with a teacup and you know a little book that she was reading, but that alone just made me. It was like there's not an age to feeling good or to stop feeling good or to look good, and I would say that's something that's definitely been a pillar in my memory and one of the reasons I just love what I get to do.

Speaker 2 16:29

That's an amazing story. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for asking yeah, how do you help nervous or self-conscious clients feel more relaxed and empowered?

Speaker 1 16:40

Relaxed and empowered. Relaxed, again, I'm pretty good at reading the room and temperature, I think, with people and I think that again has a lot to do with my background and upbringing, moving and different people, different atmospheres, so kind of just letting them guide the conversation if they want to talk. Sometimes I know some people this is like their only quiet time, sometimes in my chair, especially a wedding, as much as I am blessed with the gift of gab. There are times when it's just like, it's just husa like. Let them just have that moment of peace and just feeling pampered. And so, as far as relaxation, I think, just kind of letting them take the lead and I'll make maybe some little conversation there and, depending on the feedback will kind of dictate, you know, if they just want to talk less or want to talk more.

Speaker 2 17:28

Um, yeah, I love that you give them that control, because sometimes you will go in for a service and I've been to like haircut places where and she's like, oh no, she wants to relax. So I think that's great that you kind of let them, let them kind of take the reins on it.

Speaker 1 18:03

I mean, I could tell some people will start off quiet and then throughout the session then it's completely like they threw a curveball. I'm like, oh, I was not expecting this. Like now, I know your whole life story and I think there is a sense of therapy. Whether you're the barbershop or salon. There's something about being in the chair sometimes. And again, a lot of my clients are now longtime friends and yeah, that's pretty special.

Speaker 2 18:32

I bet, yeah, you probably feel like you get the inside scoop on their lives too. Oh, my gosh, I get it all, what do you want every woman to walk away feeling like after sitting in your chair?

Speaker 1 18:44

oh my goodness, just seeing, seeing and heard I think that's something else, that's in a world of technology and just go, go and again. Primarily, a lot of my ladies are moms, becoming moms or just getting married, and then whether, whatever the planning is for why they're in my chair, sometimes even just a family photo shoot can take a lot, and I'm pretty sure you probably know a lot of time, energy and effort, and so just for them to be seen and heard and whatever that may look like for them. You know again whether effort and so just for them to be seen and heard and whatever that may look like for them. You know again, whether it's it's a long drawn out conversation and letting them be my or me being their vent session, or just that quiet time, and so I think that's important.

Speaker 2 19:28

Yeah, absolutely, after 25 plus years in the beauty industry. What keeps you inspired and passionate every day?

Faith-Driven Business Philosophy

Speaker 1 19:37

Again, the people. There's so many new tips and trends and product and all that stuff which is pretty cool. Education is huge to me, working with other colleagues, I think because I am so versatile in what I get to do and also commercial work. It doesn't get boring for me do and also commercial work, it doesn't get boring for me. And so, yeah, just keeping up with the stuff and and and again, the people cause everybody's different. So even if you're doing bridal work, which sometimes can become redundant when but then there's trends and seasons, you're like, okay, that's seen that picture, like every past Saturday for the past three months. So sometimes those kinds of things can tend to be going autopilot with work. But every individual is different. So, I think, the beauty of every person, I'm just like I don't know what I'm going to get. Who am I going to get next to my chair?

Speaker 2 20:25

Yeah, that's how I feel too sometimes.

Speaker 1 20:27

Yeah, I can imagine for you too.

Speaker 2 20:29

Yeah, I mean we research people before they come in, because sometimes we reach out or they apply. But we always kind of do the research, but you never really know what someone will be like in person, and it's just, it's always so fun to get to know people and get to watch them kind of open up, whether it's on the podcast or during their shoots.

Speaker 1 20:46

So you've, yeah, you've you've seen all walks of of different stories in life too. Yeah, it's amazing.

Speaker 2 20:52

I love it I love it for you. Do you have any um life too? Yeah, it's amazing. I love it. I love it for you. Do you have any? Um? I wanted to ask you do you have any like hot takes in terms of?

Speaker 1 21:00

social media trends for beauty Oof, oof, oof, oof. Hot takes for social media trends. I try to stay away from a lot of the trends.

Speaker 2 21:09

That's a hot take, but I kind of agree, I really do.

Speaker 1 21:13

And, oh goodness, I think a lot of it is overrated. They tend to come in quick and go quick. You know, my younger girls are typically teaching me. Just because I tend to stay away from a lot of social media and not for any particular reason, I just don't have the attention span for it. Again, busy mom, six business owner, I just I just don't so much. So when I do get my younger girls coming in and I do this and you know this, and I'm like I don't, but let's find out together. But um, I mean I would say I specialize in and very just like clean, classic, enhanced, polished, so I don't think that's pretty timeless, I don't think that really ever goes out of, out of, you know, out of trend, yeah that's my favorite.

Speaker 1 21:53

Yeah, it's your gourd, I'm like the eyebrows are all fleek. Yes, beautiful lashes. Thank you so much that means especially a lot coming from you because you're an expert.

Speaker 2 22:04

What is one core value or belief that drives every decision you make in your business?

Speaker 1 22:08

Oof core value and belief. That's actually an easy one. I'm a believer. So honestly, first and foremost, for me it's, it's just's just. Even in my business decision making, I just hand it over and I'm like, all right, lord, how are we doing today? What are we doing? For me, that's something that has been very the foundation of what I get to do. You know, people are like do you have crazy stories? And I'm like, honestly, I've been blessed with such amazing clients and I think that's for me, it's because I just do, I just leave it. I'm like, all right, god, who am I going to get?

Speaker 2 22:52

Leave it in your hands. Very grounding, very beautiful, thank you. How do you manage staying creative and fresh in a fast-evolving industry like beauty?

Speaker 1 23:01

Oof. Again, it's a lot of us just connecting with my colleagues, other people, other professionals in the industry. Again, social media is great. I will refer to it, reference to it. So it's not that I don't because that's such important, I think, with the world and being such a digital and everything is social media and pictures, and so taking quick glances at those things, but really just connecting with my other colleagues, I'm like all right, you know what's new, show me what's in your kit, and even that's sharing and comparing notes. In that sense, and honestly, at the end of the day, what my client wants in my chair, I'll give them my professional feedback. However, most of my ladies know what they want and so we'll go with that Amazing.

Speaker 2 23:43

How does being a part of the Leesburg community influence your work and relationships to clients?

Speaker 1 23:48

Oh my God, I love Leesburg Me too, I love Leesburg, I love this area. How has this influenced?

Speaker 2 23:55

my repeat that how has it influenced your work and relationships with clients? I know a lot of them are referrals.

Mindset Advice: This Too Shall Pass

Speaker 1 24:02

Yeah, no, you know again, the people here are definitely individuals, regardless of what their background is. I would say they have definitely influenced me and I wouldn't even say necessarily influenced, but maybe more encouraged me, regardless of what they get to do. But their support and their sharing, you know again, their sharing of their professionalism in whatever they're doing. I actually want to ponder on that one a little bit more. Yeah, like influence. Again, I don't necessarily think influence, but encouraging. I mean, leesburg has such a diverse, beautiful group of people here and so I think I'm inspired by the individuals that I get to see and not even only work with but just get to meet through networking events and stuff like that, and so just hearing them and their growth and their business and sharing it encourages me to just kind of keep on going. I'm like, okay, yeah.

Speaker 2 24:59

I love Fleasburg Absolutely. If you could give one piece of advice to a woman preparing for a big event, what would it be? Not about beauty, but about mindset.

Speaker 1 25:09

Oof. This too shall pass.

Speaker 2 25:13

Amazing. I love that.

Speaker 1 25:15

This too shall pass, regardless of what it is. And you know, and I think we, as you know, whatever event it is, when we go into planning we kind of have what we're envisioning right and this expectation of what it's going to look like or what it's going to be, and a lot of the times your guest or whoever you're around doesn't have that same vision, so they don't know. So, primarily for my brides, I'm just like it's okay, there will be hiccups, there will be some type of hiccup at some point throughout the day, but nine out of 10 times nobody else is going to know it. You might know it, however they won't. And at the end of the day, like you're surrounded with loved ones Trying to refocus, rather than the unfolding of the event, primarily just keeping the focus of what the event and why they're there, and so I'm like you got family here, you guys are, you're getting married to the love of your life and so, yeah, what you said and this too shall pass Tomorrow is going to be done and over with.

Closing Thoughts

Speaker 2 26:08

I don't even remember the little hiccups, yeah, and it goes back to like slowing down. Everything is so like overstimulating with like social media and being online. So much just slowing down and appreciating these moments for the opportunities that they are to reconnect with family, to be with, you know, your future husband or whatever.

Speaker 1 26:29

I just love that. And the grandma, grandma that's here, that you haven't seen in like years, yeah.

Speaker 2 26:33

All right. Well, is there anything else that I didn't touch on that you want to share with us today?

Speaker 1 26:40

No, I love this I love organic. This was fun. I'm just talking with my girl and asking questions and no, I think it's good.

Speaker 2 26:47

Yeah, awesome. Well, thank you so much for coming in and making the time to tell us about voila style and about your journey. It's certainly been a fascinating conversation and I know that our audience is going to love it.

Speaker 1 27:01

Thank you Appreciate your time.