Merry Burney worked for years as a paralegal, but it was her side business as a makeup artist working on commercial shoots and doing bridal party makeup that was her passion.
Her side business is now her main business, though she has changed her business model as industry needs have changed and consumer preferences have shifted.
She recently opened Beauty Ink, a permanent makeup studio in the Short Pump area of western Henrico County. Her shop is in the Sola Salon Studios building off Pouncey Tract Road.
“I had previously owned a makeup artistry studio. I stopped that about three years ago. … As far as doing commercials, that work has calmed down. A lot of the people are bringing their own makeup artists to the set,” Burney said.
Beauty Ink specializes in semi-permanent tattooed makeup.
No eyebrows or sparse eyebrows? No problem.
Burney can give you a full, expressive pair with microblading — a technique that involves using tiny needles to make micro slits in the brow. Special tattooing ink is brushed over the brows, depositing ink into the slits. The excess ink is wiped off leaving neat, fashionably shaped brows.
“The microblading is done with feather strokes so it looks like real hair,” Burney said.
The results last up to two or three years before fading. Burney charges $550, which includes a touch-up visit after four to six weeks.
She also tattoos on lip color and eyeliner.
The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation licenses and regulates tattooers. Classes of license are tattooer, limited term tattooer, permanent cosmetic tattooer and master permanent cosmetic tattooer. Applicants have to pass an exam.
“I want to do eyelash extensions, and I cannot do them until I am finished with my aesthetician’s license,” Burney said.
Eyelash extensions are attached to individual existing lashes.
“They shed off during your cycle of hair growth. Then you go back for a fill about once a month,” Burney said.
Burney said she has invested about $50,000 in the business for training, equipment leasing and other startup costs.
MediaNoche staying in Stony Point mall
Artists’ collective and hat shop MediaNoche, which won six months of free storefront space at Stony Point Fashion Park in a contest last year, is signing a lease to remain at the South Richmond mall.
The business is owned by Jill Hammer and carries items made by local artists. It also carries a collection of men’s and women’s hats.
“I opened MediaNoche in Los Angeles and relocated the shop to RVA when I moved back to Richmond to be closer to family. We had two pop-up locations in Carytown, but Stony Point has proven to be our most successful location yet,” Hammer said.
“I wondered if our small shop would thrive here. But the shoppers here really appreciate the fact that we are locally owned, and business has been fantastic,” Hammer said. The shop is near Saks Fifth Avenue and Tiffany & Co.
The mall recently announced new tenants coming this spring:
- #LoveYOU, a holistic wellness center offering products, classes and community meet-ups that focus on self-care topics addressing mind, body, home and spirit.
- Luxe Lashes Beauty Studio, offering lash extensions, microblading and threading, body wraps and products.
- NarWhals Rolled Ice Cream, with Thailand-inspired cold treats with an assortment of fresh fruit, cookies and toppings.
You break it, he’ll fix it
Chuck Allen has opened a uBreakiFix franchise in Henrico and plans to open four more franchise locations over the next 18 months.
The business provides same-day repair service of electronics, specializing in cellphone and computer repair.
Allen said that after 35 years of practicing law, he was ready for something new.
The shop, in a strip shopping center at 1090 Virginia Center Parkway, is the brand’s first location in the Richmond area.
uBreakiFix was founded in 2009 initially as an internet-based business and later opened bricks-and-mortar repair shops.
The company has more than 365 locations across the U.S. and Canada, and 700 in development. It has 13 Virginia locations.
According to the company website, franchise startup costs range from $60,400 to $220,850, depending on size and location. Financing can be secured through third-party lenders.
Retail remnants
- C&C’s Cinnamon Rolls has the answer to the Monday morning blahs — fresh cinnamon rolls and coffee delivered to your office. Owned by Caroline Hutchings, the business has started C&C’s Express, with deliveries to Richmond-area businesses on Mondays. Delivery orders must be received and confirmed before Friday at 5 p.m. Minimum order is $60. Ten percent of all purchases are donated to the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation. Hutchings also delivers cinnamon rolls on Fridays to Shields Market and Stir Crazy Café. More details at rvacinnamonrolls.com.
- The 39 Merchants Tire & Auto Service Centers in Virginia are being rebranded as NTB Tire and Service Centers. The centers are owned by Florida-based TBC Corp. New signs will be rolled out in coming weeks. The company rebranded 29 locations in North Carolina and South Carolina in 2016. NTB has approximately 500 retail locations in 23 states.
- A building permit for $72,000 has been issued for interior remodeling at the CVS store at The Village shopping center at 7023 Three Chopt Road.
- A building permit for $100,000 has been issued for the Gold’s Gym going in at 9782 Gayton Road in the Gayton Crossing Shopping Center in western Henrico. Gold’s Gym is leasing 28,000 square feet of the former Martin’s Food Markets store space. Goldfish Swim School, a national chain that teaches children how to swim, has leased the remaining 10,000 square feet of the former grocery space.
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