THE STORY
In 2012, owner Ashley Backs graduated from cosmetology school and started working in the salon as a hairdresser for Beauty Brands. A well known KC original (now national chain) salon company.
Beauty Brands had a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders and Ashley jumped at the chance to get out from behind the chair and do something creative with the craft. She joined the team that did hair and makeup for the poster, calendar, and game days.
While working at the local salon Ashley made life long friends with some of the stylists. One in particular asked if Ashley would do makeup for her wedding day. Hanna Lee was the first bride to put her trust in Ashley to create the look that would last forever.
In this picture Ashley is pregnant but didn't know it yet! What partially led her to leave BB.
After seeing a picture of Ashley working on Hanna's wedding day, Mati reached out 2 weeks before her wedding day to ask for Ashley's help! Mati and Ashley were friends in middle school. While college and distance separated them for several years, the reunion was a plan from above. Shortly after Mati's wedding Ashley quit Beauty Brands to start freelancing as a makeup and hair artist in and around Kansas City.
The first version of the business was Beauty By Ashley Backs.
Ashley freelanced and worked alone mostly assisting other artists and taking single brides or small wedding parties.
Her mom Jennifer was a great sounding board for ideas and business suggestions. Having had her own wedding business for over 20 yrs.
Ashley's mom helped come up with the original logo design and website.
The demand for Ashley's gifts grew quickly with the help of another local artist who was willing to give business tips, recommendations, and referrals to Ashley (thank you Mikayla❤️)
The need for a team or another artist started to get more intense once she found out that her first baby was due in February 2014.
While at a wedding that was referred by her friend Mati (remember that one from earlier) Ashley saw Mati doing some of the hair and makeup for her friend. Conversations quickly got underway of how to add Mati as the first official member of the team.
After training with Ashley for over a year Mati was made a lead artist. Shortly there after, the rebrand to Hello Lovely came with the understanding that Ashley was no longer a lone wolf. This team was on fire and wanted to spread some LOVE!
The team grew to include more of the stylists Ashley had worked with in the past. They were able to take larger parties and work more efficiently. Even Hanna (Ashley's first bride) joined the team!
Ashley is thankful for the support of friends and family, and guidance from the lord. With a heart for touching people with more than just makeup,Ashley and Hello Lovely have become a Kansas City staple in the wedding industry, loved by brides, vendors, and stylists.
Ashley with her (amazing) husband Nick, first son Beau and Baby Bruce.
That's Mati
I truly hope that you have enjoyed getting to know a little more about my journey and how God has shaped my path to match the road he paved for my family and I. One of my favorite things about my job is being able to get to know each of my brides from the inside out. I love getting to spend my time creating amazing things. Sometimes that is art in the form of makeup and other times that is creating lasting and impactful relationships with the vendors in this industry or the stylists on my team. For me, this is more than a vocation, this is my mission. My purpose is here. Thank you for allowing me to share a little bit of that with you.
❤️ Ashley