Meet Chinyere Kalu | Skin Therapist/ Esthetician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chinyere Kalu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chinyere, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Well, I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I can recount times as a pre-teen Googling ways to get a job at 12 I sold hand-sewn pillows and candy at school. I even did people’s homework ( I just retired from this side hustle this year). Essentially, I am always about getting to the money. While getting my BS in Human Development, I was in the works of going to beauty school. While there, I scaled out a business plan all the way down to the logo and color palettes. I have always had a bossy attitude. I can command any room I step foot in and I truly feel like I’m not meant to work for anyone but myself. My mother is a Cosmetologist and Barber Instructor, so she was ecstatic to see me in the same field as her. She’s actually the driving force behind my business. I own The Brat Cave Beauty Bar, but together my mother and I own KB’s Grooming and Spa.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Like most, I opted to go to university. I did pursue a career field that I enjoy but I felt like something was missing. I’ve always loved skincare and stayed in my mom’s products. In March of this year I enrolled into Beauty School. During this time, I had recently moved and had a part time job. I would go to class when I wasn’t at work to make sure I completed as many hours as I could each week. On top of everything, I was looking for a career job to replace my tenure as a cashier. My mind was set on elevating. Around July I got a career job, which was great but I had less time to spend in school. I would use my PTO for 2 days and stay in school from opening until closing to complete my hours. It was not easy at all, especially considering I had moved (again) 40 minutes out. I’m not truly sure how, but I did it. One week I came in ready to spend 10 hours of my day in class but I was told I had completed my hours ! From that day forward I’ve established a business, created future outreach and community events and am stepping into a new business venture – all while working in the office.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
MONDAY 1. GO TO DALLAS CONTEMPORARY
2. HAVE BRUNCH @ THE MARKET CAFE
3. EXPLORE BONTON FARMS
4. GRAB COFFEE FROM THE MARKET

TUESDAY
1. HIKE @ CEDAR RIDGE PRESERVE
2. GRAB BBQ @ ASH AND EMBER

WEDNESDAY
1. DINNER @ HUGO’S
2. ADULT SKAT NIGHT AND INTERSKATE

THURSDAY
1.DONUTS FROM JARAMS DONUTS
2.KAYAKING AT WHITE ROCK LAKE
3. BRUNCH @ WHITE ROCK ALE HOUSE

FRIDAY
1. VALLEY HOUSE GALLERY
2. LUNCH @ TROVA WINE

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Biggest shoutout to God first and foremost. Oh, how I’ve had it ROUGH these last couple of years. From being pushed back a semester in university, to having no sense of direction or drive…. to being afraid to even launch my business. All of that worrying turned into faith and now I’ve made it. I want to thank my mother and business partner, LaKisha for sticking beside my dream and supporting me. I want to thank Ben, my boyfriend for believing in me and all of my (many, many) dreams. Lastly, I want to thank all of my friends and family who have truly supported me by showing up or spreading the word.

Website: https://brat-cave-beauty-bar.square.site/

Instagram: INSTAGRAM.COM/BRATCAVE.BEAUTYBAR

Other: LINKTR.EE/BRATWRLD444

Image Credits
PHOTOGRAPHY BY @NODSINFERNO CREATIVE DIRECTION BY @BRATWRLD444