IMAGE Studios is a place for professionals in the industries of beauty, tattoo art, massage, and overall health and wellness. The Lafayette location currently hosts eight professionals that offer services to help clients feel and look better, both inside and out.
Stacy Read is the proud owner-developer of IMAGE Studios Lafayette, Denver, and Thornton. A lifelong serial entrepreneur, Stacy believes strongly in empowering small business owners, and creating a supportive space for them to realize their dreams.
She says, “We create a beautiful space, with a supportive community, and our pros bring their passion and creativity. We have an intoxicating formula for success!”
We had the chance to do a fun Q&A with Stacy and two of the female business owners about what has inspired their entrepreneurial spirits and contributed to their success.
What is the name of your business, and what do you specialize in?
Stacy Read- IMAGE Studios - the Lafayette location is open, and I am opening locations in Denver and Thornton late this summer.
Meg Kruger- BlueSky Aesthetics & Longevity- I specialize in facial and neck rejuvenation, IV therapy and sexual wellness.
Ashley Newman- My business is Naturally Blonde and I specialize in blondes, balayage and lived-in color.
How long have you been a business owner, and what did you do before?
S- My entire adult life! I started with a dog day care, and moved to many other ventures, before landing on IMAGE Studios.
M- Five years. I’ve always been a nurse and have also worked in plastic surgery, trauma and was a nurse educator.
A- Four years. Before I opened my own salon, I worked for Aveda salons as a senior stylist for 7 years.
Did another woman influence you on your professional path?
M- I’ve met so many inspiring and amazing women in my office. They really have created a community for me that I highly value.
A- I’m constantly being inspired by women, but I’d say I was most inspired by my mom who is also a stylist and has owned salons for as long as I can remember.
Who are the most inspiring women in your life?
S- The most inspiring people in my life are the people who have a goal and work hard to achieve it.
M- My grandmother. Although I never met her, I know her story of how she started her own house cleaning business to support herself. She worked hard to gain her independence and was successful at supporting both herself and her kids.
A- I have three very inspiring women in my life. My mom who currently is working in upstate NY in her own salon. My mother in law was raised in France and came over to the states in her early 20s and is just such a powerhouse business woman. My sister-in-law is a nurse practitioner working in Africa with women building a clinic and teaching midwifery.
If you could give a piece of advice to our young daughters, what would it be?
S- I tell my children to think outside of the box, think big, and use any negative energy as fuel to get to their finish line!
M- My advice would be… set your boundaries with your mental and physical well-being in mind. Also, disappoint others before you disappoint yourself. It took me a long time to learn that one.
A- Advice I would give young daughters would be to try everything. Take that random job because you think it sounds cool. Go on that trip because you can. Meet all the people and don’t be shy. When the time is right you’ll come across the right path for you.