Michelle Tran of Meraki Beauty Bar on Beauty, Confidence, and Community | Burnaby, BC Interview

Name: Michelle Tran

Location: Burnaby, BC

Business: Meraki Beauty Bar

Instagram: @meraki.michelletran

Website: merakibeautybar.ca

Category: Small Business Owner

💬 INTRODUCTION

My name is Michelle, and I’m the founder of Meraki Beauty Bar and co-founder of The Good Beautician. I was born and raised in Vancouver and come from a first-generation immigrant family where hard work and resilience were part of everyday life. Watching my parents build a life here taught me a lot about perseverance, and it shaped the way I approach both business and community.

Before entering the beauty industry, I was working in finance. But I always had a strong entrepreneurial drive and a creative side that I wanted to explore. Over time I realized I wanted to build something that combined artistry, connection, and service. With the support of my sister, along with close friends and family who believed in the vision, Meraki Beauty Bar was born.

What started as a small idea has grown into a space where we specialize in permanent makeup and advanced beauty services, while also educating and supporting other artists through The Good Beautician.

My journey has really been about creating opportunities, building community, and helping people feel confident both inside and out.

🔥 THE PASSION

What inspired my business has always been the moment a client looks in the mirror and sees themselves differently. In my work, I get to help someone look good on the outside, but what truly matters to me is how they feel on the inside when they see that reflection.

That reaction, whether it’s relief, confidence, or sometimes even tears, reminds me why I chose this path.

Growing up, I was always drawn to beauty and creativity. But being raised in an Asian household, success was often defined by more traditional paths like becoming a doctor, a lawyer, or working in finance. I followed that expectation for a while and built a career in finance, but deep down I never imagined that something I once saw as a hobby, like beauty, could actually become a meaningful career and business.

Over time, I realized that this work allowed me to combine creativity with something much deeper, which is helping people feel confident in themselves. Those moments with clients made me understand that beauty services can have a real emotional impact.

That’s also why the name Meraki means so much to me.

The word comes from Greek and describes doing something with your soul, creativity, and love, leaving a piece of yourself in your work. That philosophy has always guided how I approach my craft and my business, and it reflects the care and intention we try to bring to every client experience.

🇨🇦 COMMUNITY & CANADIAN PRIDE

Being a Canadian creative means embracing the diversity of stories, cultures, and perspectives that shape who we are. Canada is a place where so many people come from different backgrounds, and I think that creates a unique environment where creativity is influenced by many identities and experiences.

As someone who comes from a first-generation immigrant family, I carry both my cultural roots and my Canadian upbringing with me in everything I do. It has shaped how I see opportunity, community, and resilience. My parents came here to build a better life, and being able to create something of my own is a reflection of that sacrifice and determination.

To me, being a Canadian creative also means using your work to impact the people around you. Through my business, I’ve been able to create a space where clients feel seen and confident, and where other artists can grow and develop their own careers. It’s not just about individual success.

It’s about contributing to a community and creating opportunities for others along the way.

🚀 BUILDING THE DREAM

One standout moment for me was our collaboration with Mango Mental Health. That project was especially meaningful because it tied directly into the mantra we live by at Meraki Beauty Bar, which is “look good, feel good.”

In the beauty industry, the focus is often on the external results, but I’ve always believed beauty and mental wellbeing are deeply connected. The way someone feels internally can completely change the way they see themselves in the mirror. Partnering with Mango Mental Health gave us the opportunity to bring that belief to life in a more intentional way.

Together, we introduced a somatic audio reset into the client experience, giving clients a moment to pause, regulate, and reconnect with themselves during their appointment. It was a simple but meaningful way to support not just how they looked when they left, but how they felt while they were with us and after they saw themselves in the mirror.

What made that moment stand out to me was seeing how much it resonated with people. Clients shared that it made their appointments feel more thoughtful, calming, and supportive, and it opened the door for conversations about mental health in a space where people might not normally expect it.

For me, that collaboration was a proud moment because it reflected the bigger vision behind our work. Beauty is not just about the end result. It is also about creating an experience where people feel cared for, grounded, and more like themselves. That is what look good, feel good truly means to me.

🤝 NETWORKING SPOT

One collaboration I would love to pursue is working with more Canadian wellness centers that focus on helping people feel good from the inside out. At Meraki Beauty Bar, we focus on the external side of confidence through beauty services, but I’ve always believed that true confidence comes from a balance between how you look and how you feel internally.

I would love to partner with spaces that offer things like juicing, nourishing foods, yoga, Pilates, and other wellness practices. These are the types of environments that help people reset, recharge, and take care of themselves in a deeper way. Bringing those elements together with what we already do in beauty would create a more complete experience for people.

Our mantra has always been “look good, feel good.” We feel confident in helping people look their best, and collaborations with wellness-focused creatives would allow us to strengthen the other half of that philosophy by supporting how people feel on the inside as well.

I think when beauty and wellness come together, it creates something much more meaningful than either industry can do alone. It becomes a space where people can truly take care of themselves.

💎 CLOSING

One of my personal goals this year is to step outside of my comfort zone and speak at a public event. I would love the opportunity to share my journey, from growing up in a first-generation immigrant household to building Meraki Beauty Bar with the support of my sister, friends, and family.

Entrepreneurship can feel incredibly intimidating, especially when you’re pursuing something that doesn’t follow the traditional path people expect of you. For a long time, I thought success meant becoming a doctor, lawyer, or working in finance. I never imagined that something I once saw as a hobby, like beauty, could turn into a meaningful career and business.

If I have the chance to speak, I hope to share those experiences honestly, both the challenges and the wins, and remind people that it’s okay to take risks and explore paths that feel true to them. If my story can encourage even one person to believe their ideas are worth pursuing, that would mean a lot to me.

🎤 COMETS QUESTIONS

COMET: The word Meraki represents putting passion and creativity into what you do. How does that philosophy show up in the work you do with your clients every day?

MERAKI BEAUTY BAR: The philosophy of Meraki shows up in the care and intention we bring to every client experience. To me, it means taking the time to truly understand each person, their features, their lifestyle, and how they want to feel when they look in the mirror.

In permanent makeup, every face is different, so the work requires both creativity and attention to detail. It’s not just about performing a service, it’s about creating something that feels right for that individual.

We also try to carry that philosophy into the overall experience, making sure clients feel comfortable, supported, and never rushed. When someone looks in the mirror and feels more confident and like themselves, that’s when I know we’ve truly practiced Meraki.

COMET: Brow artistry has evolved significantly over the past few years. How have you seen trends change, and how do you help clients find a look that suits them personally rather than just following trends?

MERAKI BEAUTY BAR: One trend I’ve noticed in recent years is that many people are actually going back to square one. Clients are removing older tattooed brows and moving toward more natural results, like nano brows, soft hairstrokes, and even choosing lash lifts instead of heavier lash extensions. Because of that shift, we invested in the Candela PicoWay laser, a top-of-the-line tattoo removal machine, to safely help clients fade or remove previous work so they can start fresh.

When it comes to helping clients find the right look, my focus is never on trends. During the consultation, we look at facial harmony and the golden ratio, which is a classic principle of balance and proportion used in art and design. It helps guide where brows should start, arch, and end so they complement the natural structure of someone’s face.

But the consultation is just as important as the measurements. Getting to know the client, their lifestyle, and how they like to present themselves is what allows us to create something that feels authentic to them. Trends come and go, but when a design is built around someone’s natural features, it will always feel right.

COMET: Many beauty professionals say their work is as much about confidence as it is about aesthetics. What is the most rewarding part of helping someone see themselves in a new light?

MERAKI BEAUTY BAR: The most rewarding part is the moment when a client looks in the mirror and you see their reaction change. Sometimes it’s a smile, sometimes it’s quiet relief, and sometimes they even get emotional. In that moment, you realize it’s not just about aesthetics. It’s about how they feel about themselves.

Many people come in because something about their appearance has been bothering them for years, whether it’s sparse brows, asymmetry, or simply wanting to feel more put together. But for some clients, it’s even deeper than that. They want to feel brand new again. Getting permanent makeup can symbolize a fresh start, leaving parts of the past behind and stepping into a new chapter with more confidence.

Being part of that moment is incredibly meaningful to me. It’s a reminder that our work goes beyond beauty. It’s about helping someone reconnect with themselves when they look in the mirror.

COMET: Precision and attention to detail are essential in brow work. What standards or techniques do you prioritize to ensure consistent results for your clients?

MERAKI BEAUTY BAR: It may be surprising, but one of the most important standards I prioritize is simply listening to the client. Technical skill and precision are obviously critical in brow work, but over time I’ve learned that great results don’t come from technique alone.

A big part of consistency comes from understanding what the client truly wants and making sure we communicate clearly throughout the process. During the consultation we talk about their expectations, lifestyle, and what will realistically work for their features.

Another important factor is aftercare. Once the procedure is done, the healing process is largely out of the artist’s control. If aftercare instructions are not followed properly, the results can be affected. That’s why education and communication are such a big part of our process.

In the end, consistent results come from a combination of skill, careful planning, and strong communication between the artist and the client.

COMET: The beauty industry is highly personal, with trust playing a major role in the client experience. How do you create an environment where clients feel comfortable and confident in your services?

MERAKI BEAUTY BAR: Trust starts long before the procedure begins. I always prioritize a thorough consultation where clients feel comfortable asking questions, sharing concerns, and expressing what they truly want. Taking the time to listen helps clients feel heard and reassured that their preferences matter.

Education is also a big part of building that trust. I walk clients through the process, explain what to expect during healing, and make sure they understand the aftercare so they feel confident every step of the way.

I’m also very honest during consultations. If I feel that a client is making a decision too quickly or isn’t fully ready for the procedure, I will actually turn them down. From a business perspective that might sound unusual, but I’ve learned through experience that people who rush into permanent decisions sometimes regret it later. Giving someone more time to think about it often leads to better outcomes and stronger trust in the long run.

We also focus on creating an environment where clients feel calm and supported during their appointment. Small details, like taking our time, checking in throughout the procedure, and making sure they never feel rushed, make a big difference. When someone trusts you with their face, that’s a responsibility I take very seriously. My goal is for every client to leave not only happy with their results, but also feeling that they were genuinely cared for during the experience.

🏆 Canadian Choice Award Question

COMET: Recognition like the Canadian Choice Award often reflects the relationships businesses build with their clients. How did you and your team react when you learned Meraki Beauty Bar had been selected?

MERAKI BEAUTY BAR: Receiving the Canadian Choice Award meant a lot to me, especially because the voting process this year felt more intentional. It seemed harder for people to vote, and in a way I actually found that refreshing because it really highlighted the people who genuinely stand by and support our brand.

Seeing how much effort people put into making sure Meraki Beauty Bar received that recognition was incredibly meaningful. I’m always surprised and grateful for the people who cheer us on, whether they do it loudly or quietly behind the scenes.

As a business owner, there are many moments where it might look like we have everything figured out, but the truth is we’re often just taking things one step at a time and doing our best to make the right decisions along the way. Receiving this award from the community we serve is a reminder that we’re moving in the right direction, and it motivates us to continue growing and making everyone who supports us proud.

✨ ANYTHING ELSE

I would also love to take this opportunity to acknowledge the people who helped bring this vision to life. Meraki Beauty Bar would not exist without the support of my sister, my team, my friends, and the community that continues to trust us with their experiences. Behind every small business is a group of people who believe in the vision and help make it possible.

I’m also incredibly grateful to our clients. Many of them have been with us for years and have grown alongside the business. Their trust allows us to keep evolving, whether that’s through new services, education for artists, or collaborations that focus on both beauty and wellbeing.

I would also like to thank Comets Crew for reaching out and creating this opportunity to share my story. It’s an honor to be included among so many talented Canadian creatives.

At the heart of everything we do is our philosophy of “look good, feel good.”

My hope is that Meraki Beauty Bar continues to be a space where people not only leave looking their best, but also feeling more confident, supported, and connected to themselves.

merakibeautybar.ca