Sharon Lewis
For the past eight years, Shay J. Bey has owned and operated BeautyUBlink. The name of the business is a delightful play on words that gives you a glimpse into her offerings.
Bey is a licensed advanced aesthetician who believes that self-care is “essential to living a happy, healthy life.” BeautyUBlink is more than a business. It is a calling and a labor of love at the same time. Her goal is to provide comprehensive spa services and offer healing to the mind, body, and soul.
Services include custom eyelashes, facials, body waxing, Reiki healing techniques, and custom cosmetics made by her mother, Khatymah Muhammad El, through Kharymashkrafts.com, available for purchase. You could say that entrepreneurship is in her bloodline.
BeautyUBlink is an appointment only business in Bedford, Ohio. I recently spoke to Bey about her hopes for the future and her personal journey:
Lewis: Is the beauty business what you always wanted to do?
Bey: No. As a child, I thought about becoming a veterinarian. But I realized that I could never euthanize an animal, nor do I like cleaning up after them. Then I thought about becoming a chef. I still love to cook. Sometimes I feed my clients. That just makes me feel good. Then I thought about becoming a fashion designer.
Lewis: How long has BeautyUBlink been in operation?
Bey: Altogether, it has been eight years. I just decided that I would only work the business and leave everything else alone. I need to focus if I am going to make it work. Until February of this year, I worked as an EKG Tech, and I am also a Registered Behavioral Therapist.
Lewis: Has BeautyUBlink always been based in the Cleveland area?
Bey: My first location was on the east side of Cleveland. Then I moved to the west side, and about a year ago came to Bedford. I also had a space in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Lewis: How did you end up in Las Vegas?
Bey: I went on a girl’s trip to Las Vegas during COVID-19, Vegas never shut down like the rest of the country. I remember standing in the airport looking down on all the people and thinking to myself, “Look at all these people. They come to Las Vegas from all over the world and need the services that I offer. How can I get some of that money?” So I began networking with some of the spas and salons. Before I knew it, I had the key to a salon and could come and go as I pleased. I did that for two years. Now I am based only in Bedford.
Lewis: What are your goals for BeautyUBlink?
Bey: By the end of 2027, I plan to take part in at least three major events. The ones that I am considering include the Beauty and Barber Expo here in Cleveland. There is a competition in New York where you submit entries online, the Essence Fest in 2027, which is usually held in New Orleans, Louisiana, and lastly, Pride Weekend here in Cleveland, Ohio. My focus right now is growing the business.
Lewis: Who is your ideal client?
Bey: My ideal client is generally a mature, established person. I am not looking to create over-the-top looks. My goal is to enhance a person’s natural beauty and help them feel comfortable with who they are.
Lewis: I’ll be honest. I had this vision of you with over-the-top lashes before I walked in the door. But your look, even with lashes, is very clean and sophisticated. How did you get started?
Bey: I practiced on myself. I would literally spend hours in the mirror perfecting my look. Then, people would ask me to do their makeup. It surprised me at first. They would ask me how much I charged. I thought, wow! I can get paid for this. I enjoy it so much, I would do it for free, but you cannot build a successful business by giving away your time and talent for free.
Lewis: When you dream about the future success of BeautyUBlink what do you see?
Bey: I would definitely like to have my own spa. I was offered a storefront at a really reasonable monthly rate, but I had to turn it down because I knew that it would have been a distraction to my overall plans. I want my own building. I want a spa that will have the usual spa amenities but also some not-so-usual options. That is all I can say for now. I do not want to give all of my ideas away.
Visit: beautyublink.com.
Sharon Lewis has a degree in Speech Communications from John Carroll University and has previously worked as a producer, director, and talent.
