Heather Gay: Doing It All To Having It All (Part 2) | GoDaddy School of Hustle with Angie K.

Hi, I'm Angie K and you may know me from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. But long before that, I was an entrepreneur and a small business owner with big dreams. I've always been passionate about talking about business and learning and growing talking to other entrepreneurs. I'm going to be having other entrepreneurs share their stories and we're all going to learn and grow from each other. So, stay tuned and watch it all on GoDaddy School of Hustle Podcast. >> [music] [music] >> And now for the second part of my conversation with my brilliant friend and entrepreneur Heather Gay. You're a woman-owned business and you do promote self-care and that's huge right now. Like I feel like a lot of women guilt themselves, you know, or have that mom guilt. And you have made it okay to invest, you know, your hard-earned money into going and making yourself feel beautiful and women find value in that. >> Yeah. >> I mean, do you feel like that? I know you provide other things outside of Botox and fillers, skin services, facials. >> hair removal is our number one thing. We were the first business to offer single sessions and small packages. Every other med spa in the area, and this is one of the most highly saturated med spa markets in America. Salt Lake City has more per capita than like Beverly Hills. So, it was a very, very saturated, very competitive market. And we started looking at things that other med spas were doing. They were offering like three to four thousand dollar contracts to people that to get laser hair removal and this was asking me to spend three thousand dollars on a service that I didn't know if it would work. I didn't know if I'd enjoy it. I didn't know if I liked the business I was about to like sign my life away to. And to me, three thousand dollars at that time was my life. And so I said, "Why do you have to do that?" And they kept saying, "Because if you don't get eight sessions, it doesn't work." And I'm like, "Well, let me buy eight sessions then. And if I stop at three, that's why it didn't work. You know what I mean? Like, let me try the practice, try the business, try the service, and then decide if I want to get another one." And we revolutionized that. So, people that need a touch-up or just want two or three sessions because they got it done years ago, they can come to Beauty Lab and that was like revolutionary. And also, we did no tips and no commissions on product. And so, all of a sudden, people could come into our practice and feel like they weren't going to get up-sold. They were treated just like everybody else. They didn't need to calculate $700 worth of Botox plus a 20% tip. They could know what their prices were going to be and it took all of the stress and anxiety out of what should be a fun self-care service. And so, we've That's kind of the things that Beauty Lab did to stand out. And I think if you are an entrepreneur with a business and an idea, and you believe in it, and it's an extension of who you are and what you would go to, you'll probably be successful. >> Which is very authentic for you. I mean, I love what you just said because as a woman, you're investing your in yourself, but sometimes hair and beauty are a luxury. >> Yes. >> So, to know that women can come in and feel like it's fair, they're not trapped into a package. And I just feel like that you what you have created, it's accessible for everyone >> Yeah, like a safe space. Like, everybody is VIP at Beauty Lab and Laser. We are, you know, you're not going to get up-sold, you're not going to get s- hooked into a contract, you're not going to get, you know, your opinion matters. We value your time, we value your money, we value your your opinion, and we value the experience you have when you spend time at our business. >> Yeah, it's set you apart. And now that you're so busy and you have all these other amazing opportunities coming to you, and all these, you know, your books and your your Netflix show, your series, I uh I feel like what's next for you? I mean, you're growing your brand. Are you planning on expanding Beauty Lab? Are you Is it something that you want to see grow or you happy with one or two locations or is that still up in the air? >> I think if you're an entrepreneur, you always want to grow. It's never enough, you know, and we do have two locations now and we just leased the space next to us. So, we're going to expand our flagship location. I'm calling it the flagship now. >> That's so cool. >> You came to the grand opening. You bought me a bottle of booze. I remember. >> I remember what you were wearing, this white dress. You looked fantastic and I was so proud to show you my business, you know, like >> proud of you. That was big for you. >> It was. >> And you know, you worked at the frozen frozen custard shop. Yeah, I was at the frozen groceries and so we've kind of come a long way since high school. >> No, we've always had jobs though. >> But we're in the beauty industry and it's so progressive and I guess that's one of the last questions I want to ask. You have stayed relevant. You have been progressive in your industry and you're in an an industry that you have to stay on top of the game, you know, as a small business owner. What has been your secret to you know, keeping You guys are just It's like your brand is growing, but you're also, you know, you're growing and changing and evolving. >> and yeah. I think well, for I think it's different for everyone. I think everyone has a different currency that motivates them in business and in their own, you know, entrepreneurial spirit. But for Asset Beauty Lab, for me and Dre, it is our customers. We love our customers. 90% of them are our best friends now, but because that's, you know, we've spent so much time with them. But our staff and customers, their experience is so important to us that we know they come to Beauty Lab and Laser because they trust us. They know we're going to get them the very best. So, I want to stay on top of everything. I don't want them going to a luncheon and hearing from their friend that this is the best treatment and then not be able to get that at Beauty Lab and Laser. So, I think if you love your customers and you want to continue to provide, you know, exceptional service to them, you'll always stay a step ahead of your competition because, you know, it means that much to you. >> Yeah, and you've become a household name. Also, you've had an incredible glow. I see it inside and out for you. And so, to me, I think a lot of women aspire to be like you, to look like you, to say this woman has three kids. Seriously, you're super successful. You are getting better with age. >> the school of schmear's or the school of hustle? >> it's all of it. But, I will say, I know it's embarrassing for you to take compliments because you have you've really worked hard to get where you are. No one has handed anything to you, but to see that I mean, you're repping the you're in the beauty industry and you've managed to, you know, have this beautiful glow up, your skin, your body, all of it, and you've worked hard to get there. And I think, you know, you give women it's it's inspiring to know that you can have three babies, you can be I won't say how old we are, but we're not 25, and you can get better with age. And that's what you're selling. So, it's it's like you're you're selling >> said when I got richer, I'd be a lot cuter, but nobody believed me. But, um, it's just I think that I've always felt confident, though. I've always felt empowered, and I've always believed in what I could provide to our customers and to our staff. And I think that like the glow up came because, you know, my life slowly got easier. And I hate to say it, but I finally was able to put myself back on that list. When you are starting a business, when you are going on reality TV, when you are a single mom being most mom and dad to three beautiful, high-demand daughters in dance, soccer, and school, you are not you don't care what It's hard to be to care. I didn't ever even like look in the mirror, you know. I was just trying to survive and build a business and build a family and just make it. And now I feel like the girls are out of the home and I have my head above water and I can care about things that were less of a priority before. But, you know, and it feels great. It does feel great. But, it I don't want to take away anything from, you know, the girl that got me here. >> Yeah. And that's where I believe you have stayed so grounded and you have not forgotten your roots and you're in an industry that is changing lives. I think the beauty industry changes lives. >> And while your life has changed, you know, and your physical appearance on the outside has, you know, you're you've had this gorgeous glow, but you're still the same very down-to-earth person that you were when I met you. >> [laughter] >> And I think, you know, yeah, you're you're changing lives. We hairdressers change lives. What you do, you're changing lives. We make people feel better about their appearance and that's huge. >> Yeah, and I think of you every time I use my shampoo and conditioner cuz you always give me merch. You always support the biz and I just love driving down South Temple and seeing Lunatic Fringe. And every time I see that brand, I think my friend built that. And that's no small thing. >> Well, thank you. I know that's a 30 years in the making and we make it look easy, but I would love to lastly just kind of hear about any obstacles you had, any any kind of hard times that you had to get through as a small business owner to get to where you are today. >> Because you have made it look easy and it has looked fast. Like it looks like an overnight success, but I know it's not. >> No, I mean, every obstacle was every night not think not knowing how we were going to make payroll on Friday. >> That's huge. >> Writing checks from our personal accounts to cover our employees' paychecks and we went from three employees, you know, and I was waking up, I was vacuuming, I was doing the Windex, I was answering the phones. I mean, when we finally hired like housekeeping to come in, I thought, "Oh my goodness." You know, like you just you have to be >> liberated. >> You felt liberated. So, the obstacles are that you have to be willing to do every job, and you have to be passionate about where you're going, and the setbacks have been everything. I mean, in a saturated market, two moms with no medical background thinking they can run a med spa and hang with the big dogs and the physicians and the doctors and and I said, "Absolutely, because who better to like provide a business that actually services, you know, people that want that experience, that don't want to get mansplained about their Botox or told that they prefer a natural look. I don't care what you prefer, sir. I'm here to get what I prefer. >> Yes. >> And it is zero movement whatsoever. >> That's right. Yes. You're >> I don't want to have to defend myself to you and to my husband when I go home. Like, just put it down, give me what I want, let me pay the bill. We call it target for Botox. >> I love the frozen forehead look. It's my favorite way to go, too. And I don't want to be talked out of it, either. >> Never. Not at Beauty Lab. >> No. And and you guys are I mean, you built something incredible. And lastly, I keep saying lastly cuz I keep having all these questions. [laughter] One last question. But really, one last question. What advice would you give to any entrepreneurs considering opening or starting their own business, whatever that looks like, whether it's in the beauty industry or another industry? >> Yeah, I don't think anyone should be limited by the industry cuz I would be the last person anyone would have thought, "Oh, you should run the beauty industry." You know, but I with full confidence did, and it was I would never look back. I would say, if it's keeping you up at night, if you keep thinking about it, turn your dreams into reality. You don't let anything hold you back, you know? And find someone that's doing it, and you know, take them to lunch. >> There you go. >> Or go to their business, look at the businesses you love and admire, and build the one that you want to go to. >> Great advice from a very successful business owner. And and amongst every everything else that you've got going on. So, thank you so much for being here. Congratulations >> to be here. >> your success. When I think of you, I think of that hustle. I think of that >> You were hustling since you were 15. >> So have you, girl. >> Thank you. And and you were at least you were a great student. So, you've really you worked a lot harder than I did in high school. But uh >> But what look Look who had the Lamborghini first, you know? >> Hey, and and now Trisha, we we've come up together and it's been a it's been great, you know, being a part of this whole process with you and and just having a friend that's independent and successful and inspiring. So. >> I love you, Trisha. I'm really proud of you. >> Thank you for sharing your story. >> Make sure to follow us on Instagram at GoDaddy News. And until then, keep hustling.