Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Betancourt
Hi Ariel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a licensed Cosmetologist and Barber, operating out of All The Buzz Barber Shop in Ogden, Utah. I’ve done hair for 5 years now. And I love it! I am a musician of over 20 years. YIKES! I love creating art. And am very passionate about eco-shopping and thrifting! My mom is a huge thrift-er and got me hooked on it.
I moved to Utah almost 6 years ago from Washington state. All three of my children are native Washingtonians!
I am engaged (traditionally married in Islam) to my best friend and absolute love of my life, Adam. He is currently in Morocco as we await our visa. We are hoping to be legally married here in the U.S. this Fall!
I started BWG (Basic Whyte Girl) Lifestyle Boutique mainly because I had multiple micro-online stores selling multiple things.
Like one shop for plants, crystals and painted planters. Another shop for thrifted Items I refurbish and resale. And another for thrifted clothing I’ve either recreated or designer brands I find. Annndd another one for handmade lashes and cosmetics, like eye masks that come in a full kit.
You get the picture lol.
Needless to say, it was a lot to keep up with and be consistent about. I also hated managing so many social media pages!
I was considering taking them all down, and then one night while on the phone with my amazing husband. POOF! The idea came to me. And I decided to just combine and condense them all into one online shop.
While in the early stages of creating BWG before I launched at the beginning of this year. I went to visit Adam in Morocco. We stayed in Marrakesh for a few days. And I was instantly in love with the Medina and the old city. Exploring all of the winding pathways, riddled with every boutique you could imagine. I gained so much inspiration. And started to see what direction I wanted my boutique to go in. It was an amazing trip. I would highly recommend traveling to Marrakesh at least once in your life!
Eventually the name came to me.
It’s a play on words, comically describing the “New Age Girl”. That loves crystals, plants and Tarot cards. And of course, has a septum piercing! A client of mine told me that i am a basic white girl one day during a haircut. And I didn’t know whether to be offended or amused. But all in good fun! And for whatever reason that day, it popped into my head. I felt it described almost everything I am trying to include in my boutique! I told my husband the name and it was a wrap. He now lovingly calls me this from time to time.
I currently am online only. I have a FB page, IG and of course the Tiktok. Oh, and surprisingly on the Door Dash platform!!
My hope is to share my love for plants, crystals and eyelashes. But also my passion for thrifted finds. Mainly clothing! I eventually want to start a service from BWG Boutique that is essentially a personal shopper for clients that are wanting to ditch the fast fashion websites. And be more eco-friendly but still get a rush from online shopping.
Customers will be able to answer a detailed questionnaire that includes their size and fit preferences. Favorite textiles and fabrics. Preferred colors. As well as the not so preferred info about clothing. I will then take this information, save it as a client profile. And then go do what I love most, THRIFT!
My other hope is to have a physical location for the Boutique!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road. There are so many challenges to having an online business! Trying to stand out from other competitors that are similar to you. Finding the right audience. And so much more!
But, as time goes on. I’ve been able to figure it out as I go. And you have to enjoy the ride!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I would say what I’m most proud of is being able to get where I am today while being a single parent and navigating through life. Putting yourself through Trade school while still working and raising three toddlers under the age of 5 is not for the faint of heart! And I really am proud of that. I just want my kids to know, it doesn’t matter where your staring point is. You can get to any level.
I am a very creative person. I always have one, or ten projects in my apartment going on. I really enjoy creating unique twists on very common items. Like how can I make this candle as beautiful and different as possible? Which can be a challenge when trying to connect with a larger audience.
My style of creation is very Avant-garde. Even when it comes to doing hair. I love working behind the chair and getting to connect with my clients.
But my dream is to win a NAHA award for Avant-garde! And eventually move into editorial work.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I always wanted to be a writer! I loved creative writing in high school and University. I thought I would go on to do something in Journalism. Or become a Rock Star! haha.
But I absolutely love writing. I am currently working on not one, but THREE books! An Autobiography. A Biography of my husband’s life growing up as a biracial, Italian Moroccan in North Africa. And our story of finding each other, falling in love and the challenges we have faced being long distance, as well as our visa process. (The last book will probably be split into two parts. Telling the story of life apart and our life finally together.)
Stay tuned!!
Pricing:
- Custom Crafted Kimonos starting at $50.50
- Thrifted clothing finds. $5.00-$35.00
- Plants starting at $5.00
- Crystals starting at $7.00
- Hand made cluster lashes and traditional eyelash strips. Full kits for $25 and under!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b_w_g_boutique?igsh=ZjRyZWdrNG9pN2Z6
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085440665760&mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@b_w_g_boutique?_t=8o8lBcwjthW&_r=1
