We had the pleasure of sitting down with Shay Bailey, a true visionary who’s revolutionizing the beauty industry by fusing her extensive expertise with the latest in consumer technology. With nearly 20 years of experience—including 13 impactful years with M.A.C Cosmetics—Shay has become a dynamic force in both beauty and tech. She founded Shay B. Beautiful LLC, a consulting firm leading the way in beauty strategy, and launched My Beauty Kit Mobile, an app designed to guide users seamlessly through their personal beauty journeys. But Shay’s vision extends further. Through The Beautyprint and The Be Beautiful Project, she empowers both beauty professionals and young girls, equipping them with tools for self-care, empowerment, and career advancement. Join us as we explore Shay Bailey’s inspiring journey, her groundbreaking approach to beauty, and her insights on achieving success, maintaining balance, and making a lasting impact in her community.
What do you define as success?
Success, both personally and for my brands, is defined by the impact I have on consumers. With nearly 20 years in the beauty industry, I’ve watched the field evolve, yet I see many everyday consumers feeling left behind. Not everyone is seeking an elaborate transformation through highlight and contour; instead, many are looking for straightforward, results-driven products and techniques that work for them.
What was the inspiration behind your brand?
My Beauty Kit was inspired by the clear need for accessible beauty education. While I was working with M.A.C Cosmetics and supporting its expansion into Ulta Beauty, I frequently heard from consumers who were thrilled to see more products available but struggled to find what would truly work for them.
That experience showed me that many beauty consumers want guidance they can trust and access easily. So, I envisioned an app — a ‘Beauty Bestie’ in their hands — to provide on-demand advice, helping them confidently choose products that meet their unique needs.
Do you believe in work- life balance? If so, how do you maintain it?
As a wife, mother of three, and a busy professional, I’ve learned that the idea of work-life balance is more of a daily juggling act than a perfect split. Between work commitments, community events, and keeping up with my daughters’ activities, I don’t always feel balanced. Instead, I focus on finding moments of fulfillment each day. Some days, that means jumping on a plane for business; other days, it’s about making time to cook my family’s favorite meal or cheering on my kids at their events. I’ve come to realize it’s not about balance in the traditional sense but about being present and intentional with my time.
What’s your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
My best advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs is to dive deep into your industry, keep your expenses lean, and stay focused on your own journey rather than comparing yourself to others. Be genuine and authentic in everything you do. When you stay true to yourself, the right opportunities and successes will naturally follow.
What is your proudest business accomplishment?
When I started this journey, I knew nothing about technology or building a brand. I hit many disappointing roadblocks along the way that often made me question my abilities. During those moments of doubt, my husband didn’t let me give up. He taught me how to ask for help. That led me to apply for a tech founder program with an organization called Tech Town Detroit. After going through a 12 week customer discovery cohort with 16 other founders, I pitched my idea and won first place. This was a huge confidence boost for me as a founder. It showed me that someone else saw the problem I was attempting to solve and believed in my solution.
Tell us about the work you do with your local Detroit Pistons.
Recently, I had the opportunity to partner with the Detroit Pistons Dance Team as their official beauty partner for the 2024–25 season. In this role, I work with the team to design gameday looks and teach advanced application techniques using MyBeautyKit.
Connect on Instagram: @iamshaybailey
