New Orleans Makeup Artist Finds A New Home In Houston At Jose' Eber Salon With Hopes That Houston Ladies Welcome Her With Open Arms.
New Orleans, LA (PRWEB) February 16, 2006 -- The long term effects of Hurricane Katrina continue to shape an uncertain future for small businesses in New Orleans. For celebrity Make-up Artist Brandy Gomez-Duplessis, jeopardy is the future. The devastating aftermath has laid waste to her daily business, spread her clientele of 694 regulars across the country, and has destroyed all makeup assignments for at least 1 year. As she goes through her appointment book to show me how many booked assignments she had in September, she says, lamenting, “this is horrible, I had photo shoots, weddings, music artist’s performances and fashion shows all lined up. This was going to be a great year for me. A makeup artist’s dream is consistent work.”
Despite her loss of her home and business in New Orleans, she remained optimistic about possibly getting a regular clientele at her new home, Jose’ Eber Salon in the Galleria area in Houston. Like the new kid in school, Gomez-Duplessis walked through the salon doors on January 21, the first day of opening and every emotion you can imagine she felt. Gomez-Duplessis says “I have been on my own for so long that it’s hard to have to work for someone else and work with so many different personalities, it will be a challenge. Since know one knows my name here in Houston people in the area assume I just got out of school and don't know anything about makeup. I've been bless to work on two photo shoots this month, one for a NY photographer name Amy Dunn and the other for Paper City Magazine. Let’s see how long it will take me to reinvent myself here in Houston”.
There has been a lot of media coverage about what happened to the city and its people, but the primary focus seems to have only been on the less fortunate and the high crime increase. Many middle class people and small business owners have been falling through the cracks. Even after all the media coverage, I think a lot of people don't really understand what it’s like to lose everything. I closed my business on August 27 th with all pre-hurricane precautions taken expecting to resume everything in as little as 2-3 days. I could not even have fathomed the idea that I would be homeless and out of business within 48 hours. I lived a great life and was consider New Orleans Celebrity Makeup Artist, voted by my peers in 2001 & 2004 for Women in Business, in 2004 was voted for 40 under 40, BGD Beauty Bar was voted in 2003 & 2004 Best Place to Get Makeup and in 2004 voted best place to get a martini”.
BGD Makeup Artistry & Beauty Bar was located in the Warehouse District. It’s a 1200 sq ft historical building offered “brow shaping, lash extensions, make-up applications & nail services. In the retail section you could buy girlie items such as trendy handbags, lounge wear, body products, jewelry, and of course makeup from the Gomez-Duplessis makeup line. Friday nights was a hot spot where they offered “Makeup & Martinis.” This was a very popular themed night for women to come after hours to get services while enjoying complimentary martinis.
Gomez-Duplessis says, “My phone was ringing off the hook with so much work that I thought I was going to need a second assistant just to handle bookings. Clients from local women, brides, tourist and media were trying to book me for the next available date. I just wanted to keep my name out there and do what I love. I was denied by SBA so I don't know if I will ever save enough to rebuild but I've worked very hard and I know women enjoyed coming to BGD Beauty Bar. I receive so many emails a day from my clients asking when will I open because there’s nothing like it anywhere they have been displaced. It was a place where they came to feel sexy, shop, mingle, listen to upbeat music and have a martini all at the same time.”
Brandy Gomez-Duplessis is available for assignments inside & outside of the Jose’ Eber Salon located at 1108 Uptown Park Blvd. The salon number is 713.892.8330. Interviews can be done in person, by phone or email. Her work can be seen at www.bgdmakeupartistry.com
Independent Writer Anicio Michaels can be reached at 504.274.8600.
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