ELLA Inspires

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KALEENA // FLAVOUS BEAUTY
FIRST EDITION
ELLA
Inspires is an online magazine that celebrates
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women. Each month one Entrepreneur will
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her personal story of life, love, and business.
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COOPERWOOD IS THE
KALEENA
OF FLAVOUS BEAUTY OF
OWNER
TX. HER SALON
MCKINNEY,
IN EYELASH EXTENSIONS,
SPECIALIZES
05
06
07
10
in tune with your personal
Stay
and maintain a self-care
needs
can overcome a lot of
You
obstacles in your life
difficult
will kill, steal, and destroy
Fear
mentally and physically.
you
kept wondering how I could
I
more of myself to help
give
E L L A I N S P I R E S . C O M
Self Care
routine.
Letting Go
when you have faith.
Overcoming Fear
Finding Nexus
ON THE COVER
them and the community.
CUSTOMIZED FACIALS, AND WAXING.

supplies. One year later, I ended up getting a
complete! It’s true when they say it takes
blood, sweat and tears. I sacrificed so much
"I knew in my heart that if I
sacrificed a couple of things in
the beginning, I would gain it
all back in the end."
had just finished school and I had no place
I
accommodate this many girls; at the time
to
only had about 6 consistent clients. I started
I
up my money to self-fund my own
saving
and brow salon. I found a space and,
lash
together with my two cousins, we gutted the
Hi Kaleena! Tell us what you do.
salon completely. Laying new floors and
painting walls took us an entire week to
I own a lash and brow salon here in McKinney.
How long have you been in business?
I started doing lashes full-time in 2016 with only
to get to this point. I gave up my luxury car,
moved into a tiny 600 square foot apartment
a lash bed, a lamp light, and a handful of lash
with my two daughters, and started eating
sponsorship with the Texas Legends Dance
noodles and meal prepping everyday to feed
Team!
my kids.
"I didn’t buy many clothes,
but when I did, I only went
to thrift shops."
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E L L A I N S P I R E S . C O M

“Flavous!” I wanted to give my clients a taste of
beauty; which is also my slogan and hashtag
"For 11 months, I was going to school,
working full time, and caring for two
small children with little help from
friends. It was really rough on me."
I don’t care for the material things anyway,
Purple is often used to represent royalty.
I’ve never had flashy taste. My main goal was
The salon has a touch of “bling” with several
chandeliers, an ornate couch, and armchair.
(and is) to create generational wealth for my
children and future grandchildren.
Plus two big barn doors that remind me of
my rural hometown in Kensett, Arkansas.
What are some things that make your
brand unique?
What advice would you give to others
entering the beauty industry?
When people ask what I do, I simply tell them
I enhance the eyes by giving them flavor. I
I have a deep passion for the beauty industry;
came up with my business name by taking
BUT it is always evolving so you have to make
the word “flavor” and dropping the “r” to get
sure that you are keeping up with it. I have
learned it's important to continue my
education and never stop learning. Also, you
#JustGotFlavored.
don’t always have to work in the same field
you were first licensed.
Tell us more about your salon!
I used purple (along with black and silver) in
my salon since it's my favorite color.
E L L A I N S P I R E S . C O M | 3

E L L A I N S P I R E S . C O M

eports) every quarter. Now I understand the
salon, and she applied my first set of lashes. I
"It’s about being in tune
with our mental, physical,
social, financial, and
spiritual self-care."
What does being self-employed mean to
In a way, it chose me. In 2011, I was at a
you?
friend’s house and she told me she did
eyelash extensions. I had never heard of
I struggle every day with attaining certain
eyelash extensions. She invited me to her
goals that I set for myself. I try to do a selfevaluation
at the end of each day to see what
I could have done differently. This is a must;
fell in love with how they turned out and how
they were applied. I asked her if she could
especially when you’re an Entrepreneur!
When I worked in the corporate sector, we
teach me how to do this on others. I got my
TDLR Eyelash Extension Specialty license the
prepared PDRs (performance/development
following year. When I started, if you didn’t
have an existing clientele with deep pockets,
value in doing them so I do these for my own
it was really rough to get started. It was
business.
probably not the right business for you. I
Where do you see your industry trending in
learned this too quickly. The prices back then
the future?
were anywhere from $250 to $400
It’s a billion-dollar industry and that number
depending in which state you lived. My
will keep rising in the future!
business took a downward spiral because I
Have you always had a passion for lash
didn’t know how to market my business
extensions?
properly.
E L L A I N S P I R E S . C O M
| 5

NO! It was then that I chose to live and follow
It was then I decided to hang up my tweezers
Being a single mother of two younger
children and living in a state without any
and go find a “real” (corporate) job.
"One day, after 6 years had passed,
I had an epiphany: Could I really
see myself working in this tiny
cubicle for another 20 years?"
nearby has been a real struggle. But
family
can overcome a lot of difficult obstacles
you
your life when you have faith. Trust me:
in
you think you are ahead, a trial will
when
come along that makes you feel like you hit a
brick wall. If being an Entrepreneur was easy
my true passion.
then everyone would be successful.
inspiring! What advice would you give to
How
young women in a similar situation?
other
your current situation. Whether you
Evaluate
a few steps back or a big leap forward,
take
"Sometimes I still think of all
those people who said eyelash
extensions were just a fad and
told me to get a 'real job.'”
make sure it’s your best move.
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E L L A I N S P I R E S . C O M

searching. When they say, “birds of a feather
hives. I told myself I had to make a change so
expected, try your best to execute your plan
anyway. I've heard it takes 10,000 hours to
Possibilities
If I would have listened to them, guess what? I
But that feeling of fear goes away when I
think back on those years. I remember how
would have been just like them, running on
mistreated I was and everything else I had to
that hamster wheel only to make someone
else’s dreams come true. I would advise any
put up with. I think about how I saw a
therapist every week. About how I was losing
Entrepreneur to do some deep soul
my hair and losing weight. I couldn’t sleep at
night and I had frequent anxiety attacks. It
flock together,” it’s the truth. Network with
other Entrepreneurs with similar goals. This is
was so bad that my body would break out in
one of the best ways to grow. If your circle
consists of like-minded people, you will not
I started putting pen to pad. I have at least 4
to 5 journals I’ve kept since 2016 that are filled
Dealing with Fear
with research and strategies to make my next
lose.
move.
Make a plan! Even if things don’t go as
Every day, I deal with fear. Especially since my
business is still in its infancy. Having this
feeling will kill, steal, and destroy you
master any skill. Until you have completed
mentally and physically. Some days I feel like,
10,000 hours or more, you still have work to
“What did I just do?!”
do!
“How could I just
walk away and go
back to my former
corporate job?”
E L L A I N S P I R E S . C O M
| 7

small, yearly planner in my purse. Plus, the
mints, and groom yourself well. Just be cute
people, I know they are measuring me up and
"Being able to be a
full-time mother
to my kids is so
wonderful now."
How do you feel about self-image?
Self-care is very important. If you don’t have
Name a few advantages of being selfemployed
many outfits, go to thrift stores. I’ve bought a
Being self-employed gives you freedom to
work at your own pace but you still need time
lot of black tops and bottoms at Thrift stores.
Make sure to wear lip gloss, carry breath
management to keep you focused. I created a
calendar for daily, weekly and monthly goals
everyday because we live in a world where
and tasks yet to be completed. I also keep a
appearance is everything. When I approach
calendar on my phone. I have dyslexia and
death of me. But having all these
the
really help me stay organized.
calendars
able to be a full-time mother to my
Being
is so wonderful now. I get to take them to
kids
eat lunch with them, and just be there
school,
"Whatever you are
selling, wear it, breathe
it, walk, and talk it."
down.
dealing with numbers, reading, and writing is
for them. In the past, I was always on a time
Since I am in the eyelash business, you better
crunch and I felt people at work watched my
believe these lashes bat like crazy when I’m
every move.
talking to someone about my business! This is
my brand so I must wear it well.
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E L L A I N S P I R E S . C O M

usiness, I had to learn how to talk to other
anybody?" If I just posted occasionally to my
True, in social media you can be an overnight
Lawyer, etc. When I have a question, I just
Instagram, and they are glad to answer my
questions. If you aren’t already equipped with
This is what I faced back then. Today, I have
Name a few disadvantages of being selfemployed?
invested hundreds of dollars outsourcing
companies to put my business out there.
When I first started out, I felt like I was going
to take over the world. But in reality I had a
success or fly under the radar; either way, you
bigger bone to bite: working for myself.
have to market your business to stay relevant.
Having no consistent paycheck like I did in
my corporate job made me have to really
You mentioned marketing, did you hire any
other business consultants?
beat that pavement and have 3 or more
streams of income to live better. If you aren’t a
I studied a lot about business law and
business ethics in general because I knew I
people person, good luck to you! In this
would need it. But I also have a lot of friends
people that were already successful. There are
that are in different fields such as a CPA,
times I acted like I knew more than I really
did. I smiled and took notes to study for later.
send them a message on Facebook or
Feeling alone is another issue that I faced
people who can help you, I would highly
before I started networking. I thought if I just
read a lot and studied, "Who needs to talk to
suggest getting some help. You simply can’t
know everything.
social media about my business, who needed
to buy into marketing?
"Wrong, wrong,
and more
wrong!"
E L L A I N S P I R E S . C O M | 9

eyelashes. Never in a million years did I think I
politician, rolled into one. I found I would
Funny, but true! Some of them are lonely and
abuse. They have several partnerships within
Caring” through my former employer. I was
humbling. I felt like this could have been
Tell us about NEXUS Recovery.
What did you discover about your
business that was unexpected? How did
Nexus recovery center is a program for young
you overcome it?
women and girls that are trying to get their
life back on track and recover from substance
I thought I was only going to be applying
the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. People can
would become a therapist, eye doctor, lawyer,
come to volunteer in their free time. They are
have to be all of these occupations because it
always looking for willing individuals to come
help at the center. These girls and women are
was how I could relate to all my clients.
so sweet, and it was a pleasure to give back to
them.
need to talk to someone outside their circle. I
enjoy talking to my clients, it makes them feel
When did you decide to get involved?
like they have a place to come and relax.
In 2016, I volunteered at Nexus for “Day of
Sometimes they are stressed and just need
someone who will listen. I love every one of
taken aback by their stories; I had tears in
my clients because they are one of many
my eyes when I saw all the young girls with
reasons why I love my job! My work gives
their little babies. To get to be there, to help
them a sense of confidence when they get
them get back on their feet, was so
compliments on their lashes from other
people.
"Never in a million
years did I think I
would become a
therapist, eye doctor,
lawyer, & politician
rolled into one."
was enrolled in Esthetician courses at the
I
but I kept wondering how I could give
time,
of myself to help them and the
more
One day in class, I thought
community.
all the people I had met at different
about
events. I began to write down
networking
I could give back my time and
ways
knowledge.
me.
E L L A I N S P I R E S . C O M | 1 0

unconditionally. At the end of the day, we
downfalls, failures, and mistakes gives me
crowd. I dealt with an abusive relationship for
Group”. As of today, it has a little over 6.7K
Tell us about the work you've done with
the girls so far!
director and she
the to out reached I
and
facial a host to request my approved
"By the end of the day the
eyeliner was all over their
faces, not their lash line."
confidence building event. I was so excited! I
Why did you decide to mentor young girls?
had hosted small events in the past, but this
was a large event for about 100 women. I put
I created my mentoring group called “Lashing
with Confidence” because I knew deep down
together a schedule to track the day's
activities and brought along two of my
in my gut that there was more to my story.
classmates to assist. We taught them how to
That I needed to share with others (who were
dealing with similar issues) what I had
make their own face and body scrubs from
natural products be provided. My favorite part
experienced as a teen. I am too familiar with
teen pregnancy and falling in with the wrong
was teaching them how to do a winged look
with eyeliner. When I first started talking, it
most of my young adult life and I took pills to
was clear they weren’t very interested. But as I
continued to share my story, all eyes were
cope with the pain. As a teenager, I overdosed
on pills and tried to kill myself. I hated my life
suddenly on me.
so I could relate to them completely.
I shared everything about myself and spoke
Tell us about your group on Facebook!
candidly about how going through difficult
I was sitting in class one day and I decided to
things will inspire you to help others get
through their darkest moments in life. I told
create my own eyelash group on Facebook.
It’s called “Beginners Eyelash Extension
them how I climbed the corporate ladder
and later became my own boss. I spoke to
followers and is growing rapidly. There is an
them about generational wealth, self-care,
and the importance of loving yourself
engagement rate of about 17k posts,
comments, and reactions in a 28-day period.
had a dance off. They even showed me some
It started to grow so fast that I had to get
seven moderators from all over the world to
new dance moves! Being able to share my
help me moderate the group and translate
content into other languages.
even more strength in my life.
E L L A I N S P I R E S . C O M | 1 1

There are several different countries
Thank you so much for sharing
your inspiring story! Any last
represented in my group which include the
thoughts?
United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, South
Africa and Asia. My heart just melts when I
As a god-fearing woman, I believe without
get private messages from people all over the
faith and works my business would not be
world asking for help or advice. I created this
where it is today. We come from different
group to be informative, motivating, and
walks of life so I have learned to be a servant
uplifting and to share our good and bad days
leader in everything I do.
and praise one another.
"I have confidence great
things are sure to follow
me!”
with one another. In this group we laugh, cry,
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E L L A I N S P I R E S . C O M

duarte
d i t h e
M E E T T H E E D I T O R
A B O U T E L L A I N S P I R E S
Ella Inspires is an online magazine that celebrates professional women. Each month
one Entrepreneur will share her personal story of life, love, and business. ELLA is a
modern woman; unafraid of paving her own way. She is strong despite overcoming
many trials before reaching her own version of success. This is her story! #EllaInspires
Edith is the Creative Director of Ella Creative. She lives in McKinney, TX with
her husband and their cat, Lilou. Edith is a graduate of Texas Tech University
and Texas A&M University - Commerce. She grew up in New Mexico and
enjoys hiking with her parents back home. Edith loves to write, snap photos
of nature, and enjoys spending her time with close friends and family.
E L L A I N S P I R E S . C O M
E L L A D E S I G N . S T U D I O
O N L I N E M A G A Z I N E
B R A N D S T Y L E & W E B D E S I G N

extensions, customized facials, and
problems. With the assistance of the surrounding
community, our organization strives to assist local
A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S
# J U S T G O T F L A V O R E D
KALEENA
A very special "thank you" to Kaleena
Cooperwood of Flavous Beauty for
trusting me enough to take her photos
and tell her story. I encourage you to
reach out and support her business and
hope you were as compelled and
inspired by her story as we were!
A B O U T F L A V O U S B E A U T Y
Kaleena Cooperwood is the owner of
Flavous Beauty located in McKinney, TX.
Her salon specializes in eyelash
waxing.
F l a v o u s B e a u t y . c o m
( 4 6 9 ) 6 3 6 - 7 1 7 6
f l a v o u s l a s h @ g m a i l . c o m
F a c e b o o k . c o m / F l a v o u s B e a u t y
N E X U S R E C O V E R Y , G E T I N V O L V E D
To address addiction is to address a causative
factor in many of the world's most troubling social
women, improve living conditions, and raise funds.
N e x u s R e c o v e r y . o r g

nights, or girls night out, Chelsea
A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S
# E L L A B E A U T Y
S Q U A D
Thank you to the hard-working and
talented Chelsea from Champagne Kiss
that selflessly took time out of her own
busy life to lend her talent and support
to this very special venture!
A B O U T T H E M A K E U P A R T I S T
Chelsea is an aspiring makeup artist and
business owner based in Melissa, Texas.
She has a passion for working with
women from all walks of life and helps
them to feel empowered! She started
her business from home which allows
her to spend extra time with her
beautiful, 6-year-old daughter.
Anything from "glammed up" date
focuses on highlighting the natural
beauty in each of her clients through
customized beauty profiles and
makeovers!
C H E L S E A M I C H E L L E
c k i s s l i p s @ g m a i l . c o m
@ C h a m p a g n e k i s s b e a u t y
F a c e b o o k . c o m / C h e l s e a M i c h e l l e