Creating the idea in 2016, Founder and Owner, Jaime (JLO) Nelson, strictly designed Bad-Ass Betties as a vintage couture/retro mobile clothing store to empower women of all sizes to love and embrace their natural beauty. Graduating from VC Capelli Cosmetology school in 1998, JLO has always loved recreating vintage and retro hair and makeup styles for clients, herself, and her family. After obtaining her RN license, JLO created a spa in her basement to continue to do what she loved while working as a nurse. Normally struggling to find a size that fits without being custom made, JLO measured 30 inch waist and had 36 F cup or 43” chest, in 2002 JLO had to have breast reduction surgery to find and afford her wedding dress. To have it altered would ruin the dress and to have it made was thousands of dollars. The surgeon ended up taking 2.5lbs from each breast taking her from an F cup to a C cup. JLO plans to create a store that welcomes all sizes, body types, and interest levels. Bad-Ass Betties (BAB’s) will not only have clothing and accessories for all sizes, but will also have a burlesque/pinup themed photography studio where clients can model for their gain of self-embracement, empowerment, and if willing, to help the business with advertisement.
In the first ten years of business, it is estimated that the company will obtain a profit of $60,000. This profit will be provided from the clothing and accessories sold, photography packages including hair style and makeup, a vintage couture or burlesque outfits to wear for shoot. While there will not be a permanent location, during the months of April through September, the traveling business will attend car/bike shows and events in the midwestern and northern states, as well as requested locations. During the months of October through March the traveling business will attend car/bike shows as well as requested events in the southern states. When not at a show normal business hours will be available for appointments.
BAB’s clothing will be Tailored to fit the woman, as well as clothing will be specifically chosen by JLO and will be available in all sizes. Clothing will be from multiple wholesale companies, or custom designed by the in-house fashion designer. This would help bring the Bad-Ass Betties Clothing Line (JLO's visions) to life, along with the visions, input and help of the designer. Some examples of these businesses are RetroRep Wholesale, Punkabilly Wholesale, Unique Vintage, ReRag, RebelsMarket, Wholesale Shape She, Blockbuster Costumes, and more. These businesses specialize in different aspects of burlesque, retro, and vintage lifestyle clothing. Clothing from coats to swimsuits, shapewear, and corsets to dresses will be made available to the public, online, and while traveling solely based on the current season. Although all items will be featured on the website, each will be made available upon special request at the permanent/mobile location. For example, a client is searching for a retro summer dress for a contest/pageant, our online store will feature all summer dresses, but clients will need to call to view and try on the dress at the permanent store. Shoes and accessories will be available in all sizes, while accessories will be tailorable for the client. Both will be available year-round with the assistance of a specifically designated area for each within the mobile store.
BAB’s Boutique gives clients the ability to enhance their natural beauty while bringing in aspects of retro and vintage lifestyle hairstyles that coordinate with their outfits. JLO possesses a special gift of being able to style/dress others to accentuate their gifts, and assist them to find the best outfit for their body type at the same time inspiring body positive thinking and increasing self esteem. BAB’s Boutique and styling nook will consult with clients, whether it be before a contest/pageant, just for fun, or before a photoshoot, BAB’s boutique creates a warm, friendly and positive environment for everyone. We not only focus on just retro and vintage beauty, but will help you with your hair care needs. Everyone is welcome, prices vary on a case by case basis depending on the clients wants and needs.
In the style of icons similar to the Great Gatsby, Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Audrey Hepburn, and Elvis, the themed Boutique, clients have the ability to ask in the mobile store for a consultation. While bookings may be done over the phone, at the mobile boutique, or online, BAB’s styling nook will work on a strict schedule, only accepting one customer at a time as the styling nook will be a portion of the boutique that would have to be set up before the client arrives.
BAB’s photography studio will create a safe, welcoming, and comfortable setting for everyone interested. Throughout the summer, there will be a schedule for each photographer that the clients would be able to choose from, each having their own booking information. While in winter, only one photographer’s schedule will be available. The photographer will be traveling to the car/bike shows as well. A waitlist will be implemented for cancelations and open appointments. The photography studio will specialize in all aspects of photography and will allow clients to decide whether they would like to use the studio or a different location. While at home, the studio will be available for senior photos, engagements, boudoir, pinup, etc. BAB’s photography studio will help you with all of your photography needs while allowing the client's energy and natural poses flow, with some creative inputs and prompts from the photographer.
Although the styling nook and photography studio will be available at the mobile boutique, only one will be in commission at a time due to management needing to stay in the retail portion. Once a client is done in the nook, they will be placed into the photography waiting room if looking for photography as well, while JLO returns to the retail portion to retrieve the photographer and switch places. The styling nook is strictly for era matching hairstyling and make-up application for customers upcoming photography shoot or contest/pageant. In addition to the above services we will eventually be offering fashion shows/contests, burlesque shows, also working with local colleges to utilize the newest technology in fashion design, photography and print material.
JLO is a reiki practitioner, and prides herself on encouraging a warm, welcoming,comfortable, peaceful place for her clients to come where they can feel safe to be themselves. Every person (Every Woman) is beautiful! Sometimes we just have to make them see it again.
It’s more than just a boutique, it's a movement. WITH EACH SIZE, SHAPE, AND RACE, WOMEN ARE BEAUTIFUL! Our goal is to empower women of all races, shapes, and sizes to let their strength, courage, attitude, and beauty from within shine through. We encourage change of typical demeaning slang used to describe women, as we are all Beautiful Betties, or Bad-Ass Betties(BAB's).