Our Story:
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The Beauty Bar by Chelly Jae was founded by Michelle Brewington, otherwise known by her social media handle, "Chelly Jae." In 2020, Chelly opened The Body Bar, a 500-square-foot facility within a medical office building, where she ran her aesthetics business, Chelly Jae Aesthetics. Amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chelly invited another beauty professional to share the space, helping to offset expenses. This collaboration led to unexpected benefits: increased exposure for both businesses, client referrals, and mutual motivation.
As the demand for their services grew, the ladies quickly outgrew the space. Post-pandemic, Chelly saw an opportunity to scale her vision. She loved the collaborative environment she had fostered and took a bold step to expand. After finding a larger location, she began marketing like-minded beauty professionals to fill the additional workspaces. In August 2021, The Beauty Bar officially opened its doors. The Beauty Bar debuted with seven private workspaces and an impressive 100% tenant retention rate for two consecutive years. While tenant turnover was anticipated as entrepreneurs grew and evolved, Chelly took pride in the role The Beauty Bar played in so many success stories. Tenants have gone on to relocate to major cities, enroll in prestigious educational programs, and even open their own salons. Chelly’s mission is to provide more than just a workspace; she’s built a dynamic community that fosters networking, professional growth, and personal development. Her philosophy— community over competition— shines through in every aspect of The Beauty Bar. The facility not only offers an upscale, collaborative environment for entrepreneurs but also serves as a continually evolving resource for the local community. In 2022, Chelly relocated from Hampton, to Norfolk, with her spouse. This move inspired her to open a second location. With her spouse's support, Granby Salon Suites launched in Fall of 2022, offering 15 premium, private workspaces, in the heart of Norfolk. Despite the challenges of managing two facilities, Chelly embraced the opportunity to grow as an entrepreneur, leader, and landlord. She focused on meeting the needs of her tenants while enhancing local outreach, tourism, and the economy. Over the following two years, Chelly streamlined operations, introduced resourceful amenities, hosted networking events, and organized charitable initiatives. Her efforts didn’t go unnoticed. In 2024, one of Hampton Roads’ largest commercial real estate developers offered an incentive property to support expansion of The Beauty Bar's impact. This opportunity marked a new chapter, further solidifying The Beauty Bar and Granby Salon Suites' presence in the community. Today, The Beauty Bar by Chelly Jae and its sister facility, Granby Salon Suites, collectively house 30 private business entities, serving as vital resources for entrepreneurs in Hampton Roads. Both facilities offer luxury amenities, professional development programs, and beneficial resources like affordable access to independent health, vision, and dental insurance, continuing education incentives, hardship support, and in-house business grants, to name a few. To learn more about joining our vibrant community or leasing a workspace, please use our inquiry tool here. Thank you for exploring The Beauty Bar by Chelly Jae. We look forward to welcoming you soon! |