My Story...
You could draw plenty of parallels between the work I do as a brow specialist, and the long journey I’ve traveled to get to this place of success in the beauty industry. Microblading, after all, is an artform designed to infuse brows with color, fullness, and intention – all with the goal of making a beautiful lasting impression. And when I think about it, it’s also a fitting metaphor for the path I’ve followed since my early childhood in war-torn Bosnia.
My family came to the US seeking refuge when I was just 15. I’m not going to sugar-coat it: We were poor. I didn’t speak the language. And I struggled mightily to fit in with other teenagers; always wishing I looked the same as everyone else. What I did have, though, was a family of fiercely strong women who set an example of independence, bravery, and a work ethic that I follow to this day. I learned at a very young age to be a go-getter – to chase my dreams and create the life that I wanted to live.
Sometimes, though, it takes a while to figure out what that life is supposed to look like. After college, I married; at 28, I was a stay-at-home mom, nannying on the side to help make ends meet. On a whim, I signed up for a microblading course…and so began my love affair with a profession that has given back to me in ways I could have never envisioned. I started small, promoting my business through word of mouth; tossing out freebies now and then to drum up clients. And things quickly fell into place. By the end of the first year, I knew this was my calling, and I felt like a success right out of the gate.
Today, I continue this meaningful work at my Lynnwood-based Royal Brows -- a sumptuous, pampering space where clients are treated like royalty; and walk out feeling beautiful and empowered. It is also the place where I regularly train young women in the art of microblading, enabling them to launch their own careers with support, excellence, and the encouragement they need to get a jump-start in life. Week after week – both at the Royal Brows, and on my national training trips -- I see girls who never thought they could own their own business experience the joy of success, and I watch them flourish.
Belma Slatina, Founder, Royal Brows