Today we’d like to introduce you to Krishawn “Kitty” Huggins.
Hi Krishawn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Krishawn. My family has always called me “Kitty”. I used to hate the name, it finally grew on me. So, I started off very young in the hair industry, mostly braiding. I have always had a passion for hair, make-up, anything beauty really.
I was booking hair appts at 11 years old. Back then I didn’t realize what a gift it could be, I was just having fun and making my little money. To fast forward, I ended up attending an amazing School as I grew older for cosmetology, Mitsu Sato Academy, in Overland Park, Kansas.
Mitsu is an amazing person and I really want to thank him for the many opportunities I got there and all the knowledge I gained. I learned Wella Hair color, Sassoon cutting methods, and Mud Make-up, and it was beauty heaven for me. I mean as an African American stylist, it’s easy to do our hair, styles, etc. I was introduced to like a rainbow of talent and greatness. I got to participate in KC Fashion Week as a prop stylist for the models there.
Wonderful opportunity! So, I really gained interest in the eyelashes, and like all the different methods, and techniques, I had no idea this was a thing lol. The hair store eyelashes used to really irritate my eyes, so now we fast forward again. May 2019, I was sitting on my living room floor. I think and write a lot like I love to read and write, my mom says I should have been a teacher. I began researching and saw a picture of “real” mink eyelashes. I’m like OMG, I want to have my own lashes, and then apply them for people.
So, my mind got to go crazy. Google, Google was my BFF! I didn’t want anyone to know what I had in mind, I was just thinking what if it all goes wrong, fails, what if, what if, what if. I’m then like, ok forget it! I found this lady, she was in China, I thought I was just too ready. She had no idea what I was asking for, she provided bundles, not eyelashes! So, we talked more, almost every day, like friends lol. She got tired of me talking about it and said to send her a picture of what I wanted my lashes to look like.
I was so frustrated I could not find anything online that looked like what I was going for. I drew a terrible, terrible picture and sent it. When I tell you she sent me 2 pairs of eyelashes that were identical to what I had in mind. There it was June 3, 2019, I launched Blink Pretty By Kitty (shoutout to my friend Janae for helping me get the name together). My very first styles for my line of custom eyelashes. I had “Sus” and “Okayyyyy”, which is why they’re labeled, “BPBK Originals”.
There I was, mobile and at home lash business, I wanted more like EVERYTHING!!! I then got my 1st Opportunity in a salon (shoutout to Key Hollins) to sell my lashes & take appointments. I was not certified just yet & that was my next step. So, I was only applying strips not the individuals just yet. Her sister was a lash instructor. She gave me the info, and I went and got my certification.
I came such a far way; my younger life was nowhere near the best. Of course, I made some wrong choices, but some were right. I had a baby at just 16 and was forced to leave high school. I ended up just giving up after losing “DJ” and quitting school. I went to some online school, later down the road, paid for a high school course, and obtained my Diploma. (SO, I THOUGHT) It wasn’t until attending Mitsu’s Hair Academy, that I was pulled off the floor, and told my Diploma was fake.
The school was all over Google as a scam. They said I had a week, and to go try to get my GED. I was so scared, I’d tried the pre-test before, and did not pass obviously. So, I just went in, like, Krishawn you can do this. I went and took the test no practice, no pre-test. They said to give maybe an hour and I should get an email on my results. I PASSED! I walked out crying, and Lil’ Boosie’s “Show the World” popped on my radio.
I’m like, this is a sign, I’m going to show the world. Since then, I have now added 15 additional styles of lashes (A total of 17), Lash Bibles (Books), and all types of lash accessories. I handmake lip-glosses, body & lip scrubs, body butter, lip balms, you name it! I recently back in May, moved into my very own salon. Blink Pretty By Kitty’s Babe Cave is located at 10315 E 63rd Street Raytown MO 64133.
I also just launched my newest and so exciting business venture “The Big Purr Herbal Spot LLC”. Certified Lash Tech, Certified Herbalist, Yoni Steam Certified, and now so happy to announce I am an Esthetician. My store is on Doordash. Yes, you can Doordash lashes lol. This has been a journey in a half, and I weathered through a storm with few in my corner, lots, of tears, and wanting to give up.
I went through a phase where I was upset about who was supporting me, with the given of a select few. That probably is what’s driven me so hard though! But I had to tell myself ” Do not worry about the support you get from others on your journey, It is not their dream, it is yours, do it for you”! I hope someone who is questioning a dream they have, or maybe going through a rough patch and is wanting to give up see’s this so they can reassure that anything is possible, I am living proof!
Huge shoutout to my mom, my three boys, my aunt Tyjuan, and my grandmother Phyllis and Marcie, cannot forget my dad Chris, whether it was for 5 mins, or five months, they’ve helped and supported me in some major ways.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not by far! The biggest thing for me is I’m not very popular, it’s really hard getting out there if no one even knows you vs if people know you. So I have really pushed hard to demand recognition, in a nice way of course.
I do it by constantly posting, adding services, certifications, and FACEBOOK!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Blink Pretty By Kitty / The Big Purr Herbal Spot LLC?
BPBK- I specialize in eyelash sales and services as well as courses, waxing services as well as courses, I think I set myself apart from others because I actually KNOW the lashes and care. It is not a side gig, this is my baby, like a child I birthed! And I always consider this thing “: how would I feel if I went somewhere and was charged this or services this way”.
Most products are handmade and natural, and my branding is most important for me. I offer facials as well, vajacials, waxing, lashes, chemical peels + other intense facial treatments., and facial massages. blinkprettybykitty.com
Big Purr- This is extremely important with covid etc. My products range from immunity boosters to hair growth, to smoothies. It’s like a health sanctuary. I do not know many “Black” herbalists. I really did this for us.
Thinking maybe if someone of my race is stubborn and does not believe herbal care is real, they’ll see me and my children and our health state and really understand. It’s different than typical businesses. Every single product here I make and hand blend myself. thebigpurrherbalspot.com
We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking?
I quit my job and opened the salon. If that isn’t risk-taking with three boys then I have no clue what is. I had faith that this all would work out. So far it is, and I have faith it will keep going!
Pricing:
- services 10.00- 125.00
- Products 1.00-48.00
Contact Info:
- Email: kitty@blinkprettybykitty.com
- Website: blinkprettybykitty.com
