As a Makeup Artist and Fashion Stylist, Heylee Brianne Harris-Achten knew at an early age that she was destined for a career in the beauty industry. Growing up on stage as a magician’s assistant to her brother, Harris III, who also owned a multi media company, Heylee was introduced and surrounded by opportunities to play dress up as well as perfect her craft on everyone around her. As she continue
d to grow both personally and professionally, her dream quickly turned to a passion and ultimately, into a reality. and abroad made Heylee become even more intrigued with the world of fashion and entertainment. After being hired to do make-up for a music video in New York City, she realized that working in fashion and beauty was her dream. And the rest, as commonly said, is history. To enhance her skills, in 2004 Heylee attended ‘Make-Up Designory’ in Burbank, California. There she was trained in glamour and character makeup, hairstyling, and wardrobe design. While working in California, Heylee built her resume by working jobs like The Tyra Banks Show, America’s Next Top Model, numerous national modeling shoots, and was even named one of the ‘hottest stylists’ by fashion pros across the country, including renowned entertainment publicist, Michael Levine. But that success wasn’t enough to keep her in California. Feeling homesick and ready to be closer to her family, in 2007 Heylee returned to her home state of Tennessee to continue her work in the Nashville Music Industry. Shortly after moving to Franklin, TN, Heylee received the opportunity to do something she had always dreamed of. With the company of a mentor, she attended The Fashion Market in New York City. Almost immediately after attending the show, feeling inspired by the Fashion of New York City and the excitement from the show, she couldn’t wait one more second to start the second part of her career. Heylee had always dreamed about opening her own boutique. It started out by friends coming to shop out of her tiny apartment bedroom, and grew into offering ‘Home Trunk Shows’. From there she opened a small boutique in downtown Franklin, TN. It began as a pursuit through passion to help her friends find fabulous, yet affordable clothing that was unique to their own personal style, but it wasn’t until she moved the business online, using social media networks that Heylee really started to fulfill the vision of her brand , heylee b. But she didn’t stop there….. The more she was around women, Heylee began to recognize more and more the insecurities that women face and the struggle to accept themselves. Heylee says, “With the pressure we receive from Hollywood, television and magazine advertisements, each other, and our worst critic; ourselves, it’s a wonder we can all even get out of bed in the morning. The list goes on and on of things we want to change about our bodies and how we look as we start to compare ourselves to others around us. My goal is to help each and every woman that I work with to love and accept herself at the place she is at RIGHT NOW. To be able to find freedom and live freely in knowing where her acceptance comes from, which is ultimately from our Creator. We have nothing to prove to each other, we are enough just the way we are.”
Heylee is very passionate about her work. Her personable personailty helps her to understand the needs of her individual clients. When asked what she enjoys most about her work, Heylee responded, “I can’t pick just one thing. Plus, it’s not really about me. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make each project a success, and empower every woman possible to live freely and know where their acceptance comes from. If I can make the journey to that success more enjoyable by those I serve, I feel like I’ve accomplished my goal”.
