Exploring Life & Business with Blair Michelle of A Graceful Touch

Today we’d like to introduce you to Blair Michelle. 

Hi Blair Michelle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Glory be to God! I don’t know where I would be without his guidance! It all started when I was about 10-12 years old. Even as a young child, I’ve always been drawn to the beauty industry. I am beyond grateful for the mother I was blessed with; she always allowed me to express myself. We would go to store so I could pick out my press-on nails, lip gloss, and whatever makeup I could get my hands on. I have always been a girly girl so makeup came very easy for me. When I began doing my own makeup, I would use eyeshadow, lip gloss, and eyeliner. Being so young I was happy with what I had! Thankfully, my mom and sister would let me do their makeup as well. Two years later, I am a freshman in high school, learning more about makeup! I discovered powders and foundations; those two products made me fall more in love with the beauty industry. As I approached my teenage years, as most of us, my skin started changing. The imperfections started showing underneath my makeup. Thankfully, my breakouts weren’t severe and my skin was easily treated. However, I noticed my fellow classmates were going thorough worse conditions with their skin. I knew from that moment I wanted to know more about the skin and how the skin operated. Before graduating high school in 2014, I knew I had a passion for helping people, wanting to make someone’s day better or just being a listening ear. While attending Schoolcraft College I hadn’t decided what I to major in. For two years I accomplished taking a few prerequisites. Slowly figuring out my major I decided I wanted to become a nurse. However, I became a Certified Nursing Assistant in 2017 to see if I’d be interested in becoming a nurse. I worked for Henry Ford Hospital quickly realizing the medical field was not for me; I resigned from my position seven months later. The fall of 2017 I returned to Schoolcraft College and started working elsewhere. With school, I felt as though I was wasting my time and money because I still didn’t have a major. I was 21 at the time feeling overwhelmed, having no idea what I wanted to do with my career next. Fast-forwarding to 2019 I finally found a field where I could be myself, while still helping others, building meaningful relationships, and putting smiles on people’s faces! I was talking to my mom’s best friend about what I envisioned for myself as my career. She mentioned being an esthetician! I had no idea what an esthetician was. I did my due diligence and instantly fell in love; this was perfect for me! Finally, being led in the right direction, I enrolled in my first esthetician school in January of 2020. I realized the school was not for me and making matters worse in March of 2020 we were in a pandemic. I planned on completing the program however, I was wrongfully dropped. I applied to my second esthetician school which was Douglas J. Aveda where I completed my course. Shortly after graduating, it was time for state boards. Thank God I was able to pass my test and immediately started searching for jobs. I came up with A Graceful Touch and I legalized the name in 2020. After working at a few spas that weren’t the most positive experiences I chose to take a break, hone my skills while working on friends and family in the hopes of opening my own suite and taking my future career into my own hands! Building a brand with my own two hands that I can be proud of is worth it, even if my path was a little rougher than I anticipated! 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My journey has been challenging to say the least. However, I am blessed to experience what I went through, in order to appreciate my successes even more. As I briefly mentioned before I attended two different schools. The first school was very challenging: there were fuses exploding, no communication, very unprofessional, and literally breaking several state board laws. Myself and another student were wrongfully dropped from the program. It’s baffling because we were told to be honest about a questionnaire we received. The questionnaire was regarding our thoughts on our the program and the school was being ran. My classmate was the first to get dropped simply because she mentioned she wouldn’t recommend anyone to enroll in the school. A couple days later, I was dropped because someone called the state board and owner thought it was me. I wanted to speak to the state board member because I had multiple concerns about my well-being and safety. While I was on my way to speak to the state board member, the owner tells me she wants to speak to me when I was done. I knew from that moment I was going to be dropped. The worst part about all of this is the state board member took no action in trying to fix our concerns; there were no consequences. Did I mention my instructor resigned from her position in the same week as well? After finding out one her students were dropped from the program she couldn’t stand back and watch how we were being mistreated. My instructor was being horribly mistreated as and she’s the one who created the esthetician program. Fast forwarding to November 2020 I enrolled in Douglas J, Aveda. Aveda wanted me to take a placement test due to me previously attending an esthetician school. I didn’t place well and had retake the whole program over again. God allowed me to quickly realize I needed that fresh start. Aveda prepared me for my state boards and I was able to further my education. While going through changes, I realized my situation was a blessing in disguise! Aveda was challenging as well but not amounting to what I experienced previously. April 7th, 2021, I completed my program! Now, here comes state boards; I failed my written exam 4 times and passed the practical portion with no problem. I was completely distraught; I’ve always hated taking tests. However, this was beyond important for me it was my passion. I never gave up! I wasn’t going to allow myself to give up. I’ve been through too much to not want to keep trying. Finally, July 22, 2021, I passed the written portion; I was officially a Licensed Esthetician! I cried so much and studied so hard; all my hard work had finally paid off. I thank my mom and sister so much for never giving up on me! They are always encouraging & constantly speaking life into me. I have an amazing support system! I am truly grateful for all the trails and tribulations; it created a new strength in me that I didn’t know I had. My faith in Christ grew more and more! I couldn’t be more blessed to experience these challenges. I learned to embrace adversities and to put God first no matter what the situation looks like! 

We’ve been impressed with A Graceful Touch, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
A Graceful Touch was born in 2020! My business is my baby, I chose the name due to me being an esthetician. Esthetician’s are known for skin care and beauty! Therefore, working with my hands I want to provide the best services for my Guests. While attending esthetician school I was always told I have a special touch! I didn’t actually start using the name until 2021. A Graceful Touch is in tuned with our Guests! We want to ensure that our Guests receives the best experience while keeping them educated as well! My services include: body waxing, facials, makeup, eyebrow tinting & coming soon I’ll be offering lash extensions, lash lift/tint, and more! I specialize in creating a sculpted brow. I am practicing often in order to ensure I am providing the best services for my Guest. I am very open & honest about the process. I make sure my Guests needs and concerns are met. I do a consultation first before getting started by asking my guest if they are looking for more of a defined or natural brow. I’m very realistic and honest when it comes to letting my Guest know if what they desire would be the best fit for them. As I briefly mentioned before I will provide a consultation which includes: how did they hear about A Graceful Touch? Inquiring what type of brow, they are you hoping for. Have they ever been waxed before? If so, when was the last time? If they are allergic to anything. If they have ever had a tint before. My next step would be concocting the best color for their brow. I also inform my Guest about what I am doing step by step. As well as sharing with my Guests what to expect after the service. Depending on which service my Guest choose I will inform them about home care as well. Brand wise I am proud of the services we provide. I use great products to ensure the best results! 

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Yes, I have tons! First and foremost, NEVER GIVE UP! Please show yourself more grace. Give yourself more credit for how far you have come. Running a business is hard and it’s not for the weak. Make sure you keep posting, marketing and creating all the content you can. I am still learning the ins and outs of a business. I’ve honestly been learning as I continue to build my business. Not everybody is going to have your best interests. The people you want to support your business probably won’t and guess what that’s okay! Write out a business plan on what you want your business to entail and how you want someone to describe your business. Please stop looking at what it looks like, walk by faith and not by sight. Trust the process, even if you receive two followers keep posting. Honestly, I have not reached my goal on how busy I would love to be. Furthermore, one day we’ll get there. I have learned to stop looking at others people’s journeys while questioning God about why it’s taking so long for me to succeed. I understand it is easier said than done but please stop pondering over all the negative. That can seriously take a toll over your mental making you want to give up because you’re not an overnight success. Keep people around who encourages you, lifts you up, and support your business. Don’t take an advice from just anybody do your due diligence & target your audience! One of the most important decisions you can make is to hire a trusted accountant. You want to make sure everything money-wise is up to par especially dealing with the government. My business has not reached its peak yet however, we’re going to get there one day. I’ve learned that running a business takes patience and dedication. As funny as it may sound, I wish someone would have told me not to have expectations for how busy I believe I should be. Even though I don’t have a suite yet I know my time is around the corner. I am so grateful for the friends and family that I have who trusts me to provide with a great service! Having your own business can get discouraging but hang in there your time is coming! God is going to place you right where you need to be. You know why? Where ever you are in your life right now you are on the right path to success! 

Contact Info:

• Website: Agracefultouch.com
• Instagram: Agracefultouch_