Today we’d like to introduce you to Dria the “Glam Guru”.
Dria, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up I was always an artistic & creative person. Always had a tremendous amount of appreciation for things like dance, theatre, art, & music. As a kid, I participated in plays, art shows, photoshoots, talent competitions, etc. My mother introduced me to the industry at a young age. With her being a licensed cosmetologist & owning her own salon I was always around the ‘glitz & glam’ I would paint her clients’ nails & toes while they were under the hairdryer & charge $5 for each. When I was 3 yrs. old my grandmother caught me sneaking to paint my own nails. It started with just polish & press-ons. In 5th grade, I got my first ‘Kiss Acrylic Kit’. I wasn’t allowed to wear acrylic nails in elementary but I’d practice on girls from school who were. I would watch YouTube then try what I saw online. I always wanted to be able create things that people love & enjoy.
In high school, I found a love for doing makeup. I would watch videos all the time on YouTube. Anything I saw I tried to recreate in my own way. I’d practice on myself all the time. I started taking paying clients in 2015. I remembering charging $35 for a ‘beat’. My classmates would ask me to do their makeup for things like prom or parties. I carried my makeup case everywhere with me just in case someone would call me that day.
I graduated early in 2017. After high school, I was set on going to nursing school. Until I realized I wanted to help people feel good about themselves in a different type of way. While in nursing school I failed a class and had to retake it on a different campus. I walked past a classroom one day & saw they were doing nails. I dropped out of nursing & enrolled in that program. My advisor gave me a hard time about dropping out. She told me that cosmetologist don’t make enough to provide for themselves basically. I still went through with the decision to withdraw and do nails. To this day I don’t regret my decision.
After I completed my Nail Technology Program & got my license. I began working at a local Vietnamese salon. I’d known the owners since middle school and would always tell them I wanted to work with them. When I was in middle school, they told me if I ever got a license I could work there. 10 yrs. later same owners & they really held up their end of the bargain.
I was the 1st African American woman to work there and after 2 yrs. I became a manager.
In 2021 the pandemic gave me a new outlook on business and just life in general. I had a lot of downtime so January I decided to go back to school for Esthetics. I finished the program as an early graduate in August of 2021 & I am now in the process of getting my State License.
After 3 yrs. of working at the local salon & finishing my 2nd licensing program; I finally decided to branch off & start my own business. February 2022, I launched ‘The Glam Room’ by Dria the “Glam Guru”. I refer to myself as a glam guru because of the variety of glam services available at ‘The Glam Room’.
From mani/pedis, nail enhancements, makeup, brow services, & more.
My main goal is “Bringing Glam Dreams to Reality” I want people to know they don’t have to settle for bare minimum service & bad attitudes from the ones that are supposed to help you feel good!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have faced bumps in the road along my journey. Being a full-time mom to twins & running a business can be tough. In life sometimes we have to be told no, experience what feels like failure, & be able to deal with critique. These things only make us stronger & add towards the bigger pictures. One thing I learned is never doubt yourself. I remember feeling like when was it going to be my turn? How was I going to get my name out there? How was I gonna become who I wanted to be? You just have to keep praying, pushing, and working hard. Determination pays off.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Licensed Nail Technician Recent Esthetician Graduate
Certified Lash Artist
Certified PMU/Brow Artist
Makeup Artist
I Specialize in bringing glam dreams to reality
Something I’m very proud of is being able to change people’s point of view on young black women & the impact we have on the industry.
I feel like what sets me apart from a lot of other artist is that I offer a variety of services that you can select from.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something surprising about me is my age. Whenever I’m talking to clients or meeting new connections, they’re always surprised to find out I’m in my early 20s.
Contact Info:
- Email: lanaileditt@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.styleseat.com/m/v/driaashley
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/theglamroom_sc?utm_medium=copy_link
