Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Hughling
Hi Amanda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started my journey about six years ago working at Ulta. I was working at the benefit brow bar and I quickly picked up a good amount of clientele. I realized at that time that I was capable of going out on my own and creating my own business. When I first started out I named myself the pink sink beauty bar. A few months after going out on my own Covid happened and there was a shut down. Many businesses across the world were forced to shut down. Salon businesses in particular were shut down for a good amount of time. So I had several months after I had just opened for a rebrand. This time allowed me to really think and go after what I wanted my brand to be. So I buckled down on eyebrows and I renamed myself Amanda Kay Brows. When we were able to reopen, I had an influx of clients and it quite literally never stopped after that. I started offering permanent brow services, such as ombré & powder brows. With the new services came a lot more regulations from the city. It was an uphill battle to find a location where I could legally offer my services out of. Permanent make up is considered tattooing in the state of Texas and depending on your location zoning can play a big part and where you’re allowed to be located. The city of Temple, which is about an hour north of Austin is pretty strict on this. I spent years going back-and-forth with the zoning committee asking if locations were okay to be at I would constantly get “no”. I knew in my heart I wanted to be located in downtown Temple, which was a strict no no. So finally, I worked up the courage to go through city council. I had to do a number of meetings and get approval three times total, but I was finally approved for my own location in downtown Temple and that brings us to today. Amanda Kay Brow Studio
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been the smoothest road. Like I said previously, I opened my business at the jump of Covid. This was my first hurdle I had to overcome as it was super discouraging. I am blessed that at the time I had the support of my mother because without her I don’t know how I would’ve made it. When the beauty industry was able to come back from Covid, much like other industries, things were a little different in the beginning. However, Covid ended up being one of my biggest blessings. Post Covid people were anxious and ready to get their brows done. I had an influx of clients and those same clients are still with me today. I always tell people that I got busy after Covid and it literally never stopped lol. Another one of my struggles with my business is whenever I incorporated permanentmakeup. Permanent makeup is considered tattooing in the state of Texas. Depending on what city you’re in these regulations on where you can be located may differ. Temple is very strict about where you can be located as a tattoo studio. You can’t be near churches, residences, schools, downtown, I 35, Scott and White, the VA. none of it. So you’re probably thinking, well what does that leave? Exactly. I spent about two years going back-and-forth with the zoning department trying to figure out if certain locations would work. I got a constant “no”. I had my site set on downtown Temple as it has always been my dream to own a downtown business. Because this was my dream I really couldn’t see it going any other way. So I finally worked up the courage to go through city council. I had to attend a number of meetings. I had to get approval three times. It was unanimous yay every time. I was finally able to open the doors of Amanda Kay Brow Studio in downtown Temple, and that brings us to today. First ever permanent makeup studio in downtown temple!
As you know, we’re big fans of Amanda Kay Brow Studio. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Amanda Kay Brow Studio is a downtown studio that specializes in luxury brow services. I’ve been voted best in Central Texas two years in a row. I take pride in my craft. Not only do I offer brow services, but I also am an instructor. I came up with my own course with my very own brow manual. My course is called brow shading 101. I think what sets me apart from others is how much care I put into my work. It’s a whole experience when clients come to see me. From the moment they walk in. It’s the smell, it’s the playlist, it’s the aesthetic, it’s my vibe, and it’s my service. The number one compliment I get aside from eyebrows is my playlist. Music sets the tone for the whole studio.
I think what I’m most proud of brand wise is how well-known it is. Temple is like a medium sized town, it’s starting to grow and get a lot of overspill from Austin. With that being said, I would say about one in three women know of Amanda Kay Brows. It’s like if you don’t see us, I can guarantee one of your friends does. It’s so wild to me because I started off with about 15 solid clients and now our clientele is closer to 2000.
At Amanda Kay brow studio we offer a plethora of brow services, we also have artists who offer lash services, lip blushing, and soon to be tattoo removal.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I never wanted to do brows 🫣 this was never my plan from the jump. Initially, my goal was to be a make up artist. I thought it would be so fun to do stage make up for Broadway. I’m obsessed with Broadway shows, quirky things like Glee! I went all the way to New York one time just to watch Lea Michele perform. I was a show choir kid in high school. So yeah, eyebrows were definitely never the plan.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amandakaybrows.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandakaybrowstudio?igsh=emNwN3RjbW81dzZh&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1A8KVCiBYD/?mibextid=wwXIfr
