Today we’d like to introduce you to Mimi Carter.
Hi Mimi, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Ma’Lisha Carter. I go by the nickname my family gave me when I was younger, Mimi. Mimi Carter. I am 29 years young. I was born and raised in Kansas City, MO.
I am a mother to a beautiful soul, Milani Douglas. She is five years old. I graduated high school from Raytown Senior High. After high school, I relocated to Maryville, MO to attend Northwest Missouri State University for four years. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in English with a minor in Child & Family Studies. I am a Licensed Esthetician in the state of Missouri.
I’ve owned two businesses. Lani’s Bonnies Etc., was an unofficial business inspired by my daughter, that I made money from soley sewing bonnets, durags, masks, etc. I initially started sewing after losing the love of my life and child’s father. I was grieving and this was a great outlet for me. This business was created during COVID and didn’t exceed the expectations that I had in mind due to lack of preparation, space, delivery issues, and many other issues. My cousin in another state ran an advertising company and promoted the items that I made for her and honestly it went up from there. I truly wasn’t ready. However, I had the audience that I needed to still run the business, if I had more confidence in myself and craft. I was very disappointed and embarrassed about the way things turned out, so I stopped sewing altogether.
Soon after, I moved out of my dad’s home and worked on the corporate side of jobs such as Cerner and AMC. My purpose was not being fulfilled, my baby was young, and although I was blessed to be working from home, I cried every night on some of those twelve hour Cerner shifts. I decided to pursue my dream of becoming an esthetician. This was something I had been interested in for years.
Years prior after graduating Northwest, I worked at Massage Envy in Prarie Village, KS as a receptionist. I loved the esthetician we had on our team! I was able to experience multiple services from her and I loved everything about esthetics since then.
I decided to enroll and attend beauty school at Summit Salon Academy in 2022. After completing 1,125 hours, I graduated in March of 2023. While in school, I took my business very seriously. I created detailed business plans, had logos made, and applied for my LLC. Love Binds Everything LLC was now an official business.
My business name stemmed from me wanting to keep the same business acronym that I had for Lani’s Bonnies Etc., which was ‘LBE’.
Love Binds Everything stands for all of the services I offer and will offer in the future which will always revolve around love & customized holistic healing.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m not sure of any business owner who will say that their journey has been smooth and if that person exists, I’d love for us to meet because how? My journey has not been easy and I know my hardest trials still lie ahead of me. It is not easy running a business and being a single mother. It’s like I have two babies, the one I physically birthed and the brand that I created. I recently quit my job to pursue my business full time and also to be able to spend more time with my daughter as she will be attending kindergarten in the fall. It has been a very scary process, however God remains faithful to me. Faith over fear always! I love it. I always find a way to persevere with the strength only God could provide to and through me. I find beauty in loving on and being bold enough to be yourself, as you learn and grow. I feel like every new chapter (birthdays, starting a business, new milestones) is a lesson and hopefully with each chapter you are getting closer to walking in your passion and purpose. Obstacles are expected, but it’s all about the way you plan and maneuver through them.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Licensed Esthetician in the state of Missouri. I’ve been in practice for almost two years. I specialize in facials, lashes, and brows. In beauty school, I learned that facial services were my all time favorite. Performing facials relaxes my mind, placing me in the present moment of focusing only on energy and the flow of my movements.
After graduating Summit Salon Academy, I signed a one year lease for my suite at the Noland Plaza Office. Within the same month, I obtained a job at Amazing Lash Studio in Zona Rosa. I was certified and practiced lashing for about a year. After every client, I was searching for the next best opportunity online. I came across a position closer to where I live and where my suite is located. I only had about two regular clients at my suite at the time. I was still determined to work for myself full-time. I was then hired as a Brow Arch Expert at Ulta Beauty in Independence. This opportunity was so exciting for me, however, it did not exceed my expectations. I did not receive any of the required training. I definitely learned a lot, gained the confidence that I needed in myself, and made some beautiful connections with my clients. Working this position at Ulta, I gained the confidence that I needed to quit and pour all of my time and energy into my business, Love Binds Everything.
I am most proud of myself for going full out not only in my esthetics career, but my life in general. I don’t wish to live a regular life. I’ve always worked hard. I didn’t take any breaks after graduating beauty school and and gave it my all throughout raising a daughter, grief, family issues, lack of finances, energy, etc. I am most proud of the way that I am able to persevere through each and every situation.
What sets me apart from others is the way that I am consistently trying to find ways to elevate my clients’ experience with me. From my booking site, to their comfortability when they lay on my treatment table. The way that I understand body language or even what is not being said. The way that my faith is stronger than any fear that I may have, makes me different than other business owners or those in my scope of practice. Also, I am always signing up or paying for masterclasses to further my education and skill set.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
In the next five years, I see many great things in store for the esthetics industry. I love that you can make it your own as an esthetician. In beauty school, you learn many things, but it’s up to you to learn yourself. It’s up to you to learn the services that you wish to provide as a licensed beauty professional. It’s up to you to get properly trained in the services you feel would be best for you to specialize in.
There are so many new things being invented that are interesting to clients. Beauty has proven to be one of the many things that consumers pay for without hesitation. I hope to learn tons of new information and techniques to be able to provide irreplaceable results and unique experiences in my treatment room. I can only pray and hope for the best when it comes to my scope of practice.
Pricing:
- • Custom Deluxe Facial ($115)
- • Basic Express Facial ($75)
- • Brow Wax ($20)
- * Lash Extensions (varies)
- * Brazilian Wax ($65)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lbesthetic.as.me/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovebindseverything?igsh=MWFwYjB5cndvc2F4dg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/wFoD1ekzewW12KYP/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
