Exactly one year ago, Ami Scott’s Shades of Beauty business was featured in The Crossroads Chronicle. No one knew then that a year later, she would be featured in this publication again for “leveling up” in a major way—but it’s reality.
At just 22-years-old, the Swainsboro native is making moves to set up permanent shop on the north end of town.
“It’s very rewarding to be able to open a salon at such a young age. It makes me proud of myself. Some days feel scary, but then I’m reminded that I have a great support system rooting for me,” Scott explained about her latest entrepreneurial endeavor.
She looks back on how far she’s come in a short amount of time with pride. She started her business in May 2020 at the height of the pandemic when most operations were shutting down and people were holing up. Scott was driven to find better for herself career-wise and saw she could fill a demand in a hot market, faux lashes, here at home.
“It was a little nerve-racking at the time,” she admitted. “I was doing lashes in my bedroom while I worked at a factory. I didn’t exactly have a plan; it just happened. I was searching for my career and trying new things on the side.”
While it wouldn’t be a permanent gig for another few months, every time Scott laid lashes on a customer in the quaintness of her bedroom, she felt at home.
“I tried different things, like being an insurance agent and doing nails. I eventually started getting into eyelash extensions. It was tricky at first and I wanted to give up, but I kept getting better at it. I started posting photos of my friends’ lashes I had done, and more people became interested and wanted to book an appointment.”
At that time, she clocked out of her factor job and launched Shades of Beauty, a name chosen by Scott deliberately in hopes of underlining her brand, inclusivity.
In the almost two years since then, Scott, like all good entrepreneurs, has expanded her skillset to, in turn, grow her customer base. In addition to her lash services, she also offers facial waxing and brow tinting. These are, for the most part, talents she developed on her own at first. She did, however, eventually complete a lashes course to obtain a certificate. She also completed her cosmetology license, which will be a necessary checklist item already completed when she opens the doors of her salon.
Once that happens, she plans to offer lash classes to the local community and surrounding areas alike.
Although there’s still work to be done on the space, Scott says she’s excited for the next step in her career.
“I knew since I started doing lashes I wanted to have my own salon. It’s just hard to wrap my mind around the fact that it’s actually in the works now.”
Indeed it is, though. She’s nailed down a place: beside Jeno’s Baking Company (formerly The Sugar Bowl), at 408A North Main Street in Swainsboro.
“Right now, we’re getting ready to start painting and working on closing off some areas for private rooms. The overall feel we’re going for is cozy and subtle. I hope to be able to open very soon. I’m estimating the end of May or beginning of June.”
Scott has four of the salon’s six booths filled right now, but that still leaves two openings for licensed barbers or cosmetologists. To inquire about these openings, email a résumé to amiscott2625@gmail.com or text her at 478-331-3031.
She says she’s “saving specific details” about her grand opening and what services Shades of Beauty will offer, but in a few words, Scott divulged the salon will be a “full-service, one-stop shop.”
To follow the renovation progress and for updates from Shades of Beauty, follow the brand on either Facebook or Instagram.
“What I do is very rewarding,” Scott said in closing. “What I enjoy most is gaining friendships from clients and, of course, pampering others. I can’t wait to be in a bigger space so we can grow, meet new people, and make them feel their best!”