Millennial Spotlight: Introducing Porsha Brister, Owner of Her Garden

An Interview By Jessica Wise

In the first installment of our monthly Millennial Spotlight series, meet Porsha Brister! In the suburban town of Columbus, Georgia, the state’s second largest city, millennial-owned businesses are taking root and taking over. Her Garden is Columbus’s latest personal cosmetics venture owned and operated by local millennial woman. In the short period Her Garden has been open, business has flourished as clients begin to take an educational and natural approach to personal care, with Porsha moving towards the front of the pack. We are so excited that we got to speak with her and learn more!

Her Garden must have roots. Where did this idea begin?

PB: As cliche as it may sound, Her Garden came to me after fasting and praying. I was feeling lost and meaningless and wanted to connect my life‘s purpose with my career. Her Garden started as an aromatherapy candle business but is turning out to be much more. The goal was always to “nurture the essence of you.” Essence being the mind, body and spirit. Her Garden addresses all three core qualities with our unique holistic approach to beauty and wellness. 

What got you interested in esthetics?

PB: Esthetics was something that I’ve always enjoyed doing for myself but never thought to make it a career. When I went off to college, I didn’t have extra money nor did I trust other people to do my hair or eyebrows. Being that I love learning new skills and challenges, I turned to Youtube to teach myself how to do my own cosmetic upkeep. Over the years, I’ve spent hundreds of hours just studying YouTubers to gain makeup and other cosmetic skills. 

Once I started creating my own beauty routines, people would seek advice from me to help build their own regimens. However, what works for me may not work for the next person. I then decided to get certified to gain a deeper knowledge of skincare to help others more effectively.

The waxing industry is both a lucrative and saturated market. How does Her Garden stand out in this?

PB: At the moment, Her Garden is focusing more on the educational side of beauty. A lot of businesses are into speed waxing and maximizing their profit. Her Garden is more interested in the integrity of our services and our clients’ well-being. 

You provide a very intimate service. Do you find that this builds a different kind of professional-client relationship than in other industries?

PB: Every client is different. In this industry, you have to be sensitive to your client’s wants, needs, and insecurities. It’s my job to ensure that each person that lays on my table trusts me as a professional.

However, I have not found any of my professional-client relationships to be vastly different than other industries. Listening to my clients while maintaining my professional judgement has created great experiences thus far. 

We know being a young professional is hard, no matter what industry you work in. Have you encountered obstacles building your company as a millennial business owner?

PB: As a millennial business owner, I believe that patience is my biggest obstacle. We live in a fast- paced world with everything at our fingertips. You see every day how people seemingly blow up overnight. Though we know that’s not the case, it can be frustrating when our plans take longer than expected due to reasons that are out of our control. 

Our generation is creating their own space in every industry. What would you say is different about being a business owner in a trade, versus being a business owner in a more corporate setting?

PB: Being a business owner in a trade, I set my own pace. In esthetics, I have the flexibility to change whatever I want about my business. I can choose to do only brows today and focus only on vajacials tomorrow. I am my own boss, I am creating something out of nothing just by the work of my hands. 

Do you provide services for men as well?

PB: Her Garden does provide services for men. Any service a woman can get, men can as well. For example, we do gentlemen facials and manzilians. Even though our name is Her Garden, we do not discriminate against men. 

Right now, Her Garden is a home-visit service. Any chance we can expect a future brick and mortar site?

PB: Our 5 year plan does include a physical location for Her Garden. Be sure to keep up with us on social media! 

Interested in learning more or about booking an appointment with Her Garden? Get in touch:

Phone: 706-341-3933

Email: Contacthergarden@gmail.com

Instagram: @hergardenbeauty

Facebook: Her Garden Spa