Today we’d like to introduce you to Simone Rivers.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always loved faces and color. Growing up I’d always draw pictures of people specifically face portraits. My parents were salon owners so I grew up in a beauty environment. Ladies would walk in feeling one way and leave a completely different person. My love for unique features and beauty naturally made sense and tied together. Around the time I was 10 YouTube came out, and like everyone I was instantly hooked. I was fascinating by these different personalities, looks and with everything you could learn- so after school that was my favorite pass time. I’d watch makeup and hair videos for hours without exhaust. I started sneaking into my moms makeup until ultimately I got caught by mom. Mothers know their children so she wasn’t surprised but I was only allowed to play with it at home and not around my dad. I was never slick, so when I did get caught by my dad he was upset, however moms know best and she told him that it was my gift- she wasn’t wrong!
I started doing makeup for her clients, then for my school dances and such. By high school I was known to be a makeup girly and my friends would ask for advice and products I had. For birthdays I never wanted anything BUT hair and makeup products. When I graduated I knew beauty school was my route. I attended Baldwin in Austin, worked for Ulta while in school, started teaching Beauty classes at Heb and soon graduated. After, I knew it was time to tap into my craft. The era I grew up in MAC Cosmetics was all the rave and you had to be the best of the best to work there. I just knew I wasn’t ready yet, so I applied to Sephora and was offered a position as trainer. The day I was offered the position I was leaving the mall and ran into a girl working for mac. She was obsessed with my look, and put me with her manager. A few days later MAC offered me a position and my artistry grew since.
At the end of my retail journey, I was 24, a retail manager for Mac and felt pretty accomplished but knew my purpose was bigger so I took the chance, left MAC and opened my salon suite in Barton creek mall next to Nordstrom where I am still at today, almost 3 years later.
Being able to work with great people on some of the most memorable days of theirs lives is beyond rewarding and fulfilling to me. I’ve had such wonderful experiences and I wouldn’t dream of doing anything else.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing about being an entrepreneur is smooth besides making your own schedule! It takes a lot of courage and faith in God to there and a little delusion. For me there has been a lot of trial and error. Contracts, conflicts, people not holding up their end or just blatantly taking advantage of you. Aswell as no one believing in you until they see BIG things and not recognizing the small wins it took to get here.
As you know, we’re big fans of Simone Saga Beauty. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Simone Saga Beauty is an award winning Black-Female owned business, preforming all inclusive services for women and men. We bring visions to life- whether it be Tv and film, Bridal, print, events or everyday we strive to bring the best service and experience. As a faith based business we operate from and for passion- money just happens to be a plus. When booking, know that you will be taken care of because that’s me and my teams number one priority. Every occasion deserves a memorable look, we look forward to making memories together.
We offer:
-Makeup for all projects and occasions
-Glam
-Special fx makeup
-Male grooming
-Styling
-Blowouts
-Sew ins
-Braids
-silk presses
-updos
-relaxers and curly perms
-Highlights
-All over color
-restorative shampoos
-Masks and glosses
-Classes
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You may connect with me through socials, my website, email or via phone! I’d love your support by sharing your experience, connecting your friends and family or sharing our work.
Contact Info:
- Website: Simonesagabeauty.com
- Instagram: @simonesagabeauty
- Facebook: @simonesaga
- Youtube: @simonesaga
