Disco Balls, Diamonds, and Skincare, oh my! Faceless Businesswoman #1

What is your Job Title?

Founder and CEO of Amber Budd Atelier

Did you get a degree, and if so is it directly related to your field, if no, what is your degree in?

I don’t have a degree, in fact, I didn’t graduate Highschool. I finished my coursework, but not in time to graduate, so I didn’t get a diploma. I ended up getting my GED when I was 28. I have a certificate of Esthiology from Aveda Institute, and I ended up moving into an Advanced Practice license eventually.

How long have you worked in your industry?

10 years in Esthetics and 26 years in makeup

How did you get started in your industry?

I did a lot of theatre growing up, and there was a show my brother and I auditioned for. He made it, I didn’t. During rehearsal one night, my mom heard the director asking if anyone knew a makeup artist. My mom told them I could do it - but I had never done makeup except on myself and my sister! So I borrowed a ton of library books and learned how to do stage makeup.

Fast forward a couple decades and an ex boyfriend of mine said “I know you’re good at your job, but you don’t love it. (I was an admin) Why don’t you go to school for skin or makeup?” I moved halfway across the country to go to school at Aveda, and started my own company about 3 years later!

What do you wish people knew about your industry?

That it definitely isn’t a “fallback” plan…it's hard work, and it involves a lot more science than people give us credit for. Good estheticians study the skin and the functions of the body constantly. Good hairstylists understand chemistry to a level most people never will! And good lash tech’s understand chemicals, reactions, biology…all of it. On top of that, we are all artists as well. It’s a field for those who love to be challenged, who love to learn continually through their lives, and for those who are determined to make a difference for people.

What advice would you give someone looking for their place in your industry?

First, I’d say learn about all the different ways you can work in the field - there are so many! Then I’d say learn about sales and marketing - you’ll ALWAYS be marketing yourself whether you work for someone else or yourself. And Lastly, I’d say even if you can go out on your own when you first start, I think its really important to work with others first. You’ll learn so much from other people you work with. Your certification from school really just prepares you for the board exams, the real learning comes in the treatment room and during trainings AFTER school.

What do you think are essential qualities for someone to possess if they are interested in working in your industry?

Emotional intelligence is huge - knowing when to talk, when not to, and how to read your clients. A desire to learn - that’s critical to continue growing, and a true passion for the work, because it isn’t typically fast to get started - you have to love it so you can hang in there when the going gets tough.

What is the hardest part of your career/industry/job for you?

It’s surprisingly hard on my body! I didn’t expect that, but I quickly learned to only wear good shoes, to stretch, and to take care of myself (most of the time!)

What is the most fun part of your career/industry/job for you?

I love people’s stories. I love to learn about their lives - their family, how they met their significant other, how they grew up, why they chose their career. People fascinate me.

I also love the science. I didn’t actually know I was smart until I went to esthetics school at 28 years old, and suddenly it clicked - I just needed to be learning something I was passionate about.

If you could change one thing about your business/industry what would it be? That people would take us more seriously in general, and that our time would be valued the way lawyers and doctors are. The work we do - building confidence and making people feel beautiful - should never be downplayed.

If you could do it all over again would you still want to end up where you are now?

Absolutely! I just wish I’d started younger…but I know I wouldn’t have had the maturity at the younger age to hang in there the way I did.

If you could meet any businesswoman who would she be and why?

Oh my god, can I say 3? There’s three women who I truly look up to, and I’ll tell you why. 1) Dolly Parton. I’ve loved Miss Dolly since I was a little girl - she has the most beautiful voice, fabulous style, and giant heart. She’s so kind, generous, and puts her money where her mouth is. She’s smart and sassy and I just love her. Her Imagination Library puts books in the hands of millions of kids every year! Books, to me, are the gateway to everything - you can read for enjoyment, to learn something, to be a part of different places in the world, to expand your view. She gives that gift to children, and that’s incredible. 2) Melinda French Gates - I always say I want to be her when I grow up. The way she has transitioned from a computer scientist, to a mom, to a full time philanthropist is just amazing. Her ripple effect on women and children the world over cannot be understated.

3) Sara Blakely - the founder of Spanx - is a true go getter - she went to the library and learned how to write her own patent! She pulled her pants down in the bathroom to show a buyer what spanx were. She has a mug collection. The gumption and grit is clearly evident in her brand and I would love to hug her and tell her how much she’s inspired me. She just seems like someone who is so much herself, and I love that. I love authentic people.

What is the worst advice you've ever gotten, or in hindsight given? Did the advice hinder or embolden your advances?

When I was just getting my business started, I met with a “mentor” from SCORE- the small business association mentorship program. The guy I met with told me I’d never succeed because I didn’t take my client list with me when I left my previous salon. He told me there was no way I could be successful in my field without being willing to join country clubs or taking my list with me. Good thing I didn’t listen huh? I walked out of there enraged at his audacity. He knew nothing about this industry and yet somehow just thought he could tell me whats what. It emboldened me - I’m definitely a “tell me I can’t and I’ll do it twice, in capital letters, with big shiny diamonds attached for good measure”

What does your typical daily schedule look like?

Well, I have a 2 year old, so it usually starts with me waking up around 530 or 6 so I can get a giant cup of water and a coffee in before he wakes.

I spend time with him and get him to school by 8, then I’m pretty much working until either 8pm with clients, or on my days that I don’t see clients, until 5 when I pick him up from school. Client days, I’m in the treatment room treating skin, waxing brows…days when I’m not with clients, I am working on marketing, having meetings, keeping up on my training, training my team, answering calls and emails, and working on my vision for what’s next. I just started learning spanish on Duolingo, so I get my lesson in at night, and usually do a stretching session or yoga, and wind down by reading in bed.

What does work/life balance mean to you? And how do you personally achieve it?

I don’t think it exists honestly. I think its more about work/life harmony. In music, harmony is “the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes having a pleasing effect” - I love every element of my life - I’m blessed to have a beautiful and healthy family, my siblings are my best friends, I have amazing friendships with some truly incredible women, and I have the ultimate privilege of running a business I love with a team of wildly talented women.

All that being said, I need alone time too. I recharge by creating jewelry, painting, reading, singing and dancing. Random dance parties are a very real part of my life.

What does self care mean to you? How often do you take time for self care, or is it not important for you?

Its SO important, and yet I’m not always the best at making time for it. I’m getting better as my son gets a bit older though, so that’s good! Self care for me is painting, reading, singing, dancing…but also hopping in the infrared sauna and sweating out toxins. I meditate almost every day. Sometimes that turns into a nap, and I love that - I always wake up so refreshed, its like I get two days in one! Coffee, water (LOTS of water, I carry around a 40 oz cup almost everywhere), smoothies, juices, those are my staples. I don’t eat a lot of meat, it makes me sluggish. I also talk to a therapist 1-2 times a month and think its a critical part of being able to give harmony to my life. It helps me sort through how to grow as an individual, a mom, a wife, a boss, and a giver.

How do you show yourself care and compassion while ruling your world?

I meditate and rest. Those two things are simultaneously the bare minimum, and the ultimate in luxurious care for me. They allow my brain space to be compassionate to myself and others.

How often do you schedule time off and vacations?

6-8 times a year I take vacation. I’m honestly blown away just typing that. I never thought I’d be able to do that, but here we are! I think stepping away from my daily life is so important for me to be able to think bigger, see things differently, and give my brain time to “breathe” as it were. I always come back refreshed, energized and ready to tackle everything with much more clarity and drive.

What did you do for your last vacation or time off? I just got back from Arizona to visit one of my dear friends. Her husband cooked us marvelous meals, we drank (probably too much) prosecco, and I got to visit her favorite places there. Next up is a trip to see my grandparents - I haven’t been able to visit them since the pandemic hit, so this is going to be a treat!

Are you a life planner or do you let it go with the flow?

Oh my gosh. Planner. Planner planner planner. I time block, vision board, write the goals, write the map…I need direction.

If a planner, what is the next goal you are going to hit? I usually have two or three things in the hopper…right now my team and I are about to launch a new body contouring service, and I’m starting a jewelry company called Weld(ed). I have goals attached to both of those, of course, and I’m working on finding the next team member for the spa. I need to let go and hire an assistant too. Maybe that should be my next real goal. Let go and hire an assistant.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

When I was little (like 5-8) I wanted to be a teacher or a nurse. In a way, there are characteristics of both of those in what I do now. Around age 8 I discovered I wanted to be an actress or musician. I acted for many years, and was a professional musician for almost a decade. I still love to sing, but I sing more lullabies now than anything. Give me a night at karaoke though? OOOOOH I’m in.

If you could do it all over again would you still want to end up where you are now? If no, where do you wish you had gone? Oh yeah, I love where things are, where they’re headed…the only thing I wish, is that I had known I was smart before I was 28. I was just diagnosed with ADHD this year, and in hindsight, If I had known that, I might have been able to find the tools to get me through school easier, get a degree….but honestly, I love the way things have gone, and the scrappiness I’ve built this business on. I learned a lot just by listening, observing, and reading library books. A degree wouldn’t have necessarily gotten me here anymore than me just using the tools I had!

What else would you like to share with us? If you have a dream, go after it. Set a goal, reverse engineer it, and commit even just 15 minute a day to it, and you’ll see progress. I believe in you!

Fun additional questions - lightning round style:

Favorite Book: “Little Women” byLouisa May Alcott

Favorite band/singer: Dolly Parton and George Strait Favorite Hobby: Singing and Painting

Favorite Food: Tacos

Favorite Color: Atelier Pink or Black

What’s the weirdest/funniest thing in your bag for work: A doorable. Have you seen these silly little Disney toys? They just make me smile.

Secret Talent: I can sing! I don’t think that’s really a secret though…um…I’m a decent artist? That’s a secret. Even to me until recently!

Best life hack: Pack your own amenity kit for a flight - fill a small cute bag with earplugs, mints or gum, a few snacks, notepad, pen, cozy socks, eye gels or a sheet mask, hand cream and lipbalm.

Something you do that other people would probably think is crazy: I work out with a disco ball on. Always. That way it seems like a party. I’m trying to trick myself into enjoying it. Is it working? :)