ABOUT

The Heart, the Hustle, and the Healing Behind Beauty and the Tea 💖

Hi Beautiful — I’m Marlee, founder and educator of Beauty and the Tea. I’m a special needs mother to the most brilliant and loving 7-year-old boy, who inspires everything I do.

Originally, I’m from the Bronx, New York, and my journey in beauty has been a mix of hustle, heart, and perseverance. I started my career in 2018, graduating from esthetician school in Hawaii. After graduation, I knew I wanted to continue my education by attending nail school — but being a new mom meant I had to accommodate my schedule and priorities.

So I started working at a nail salon as a front desk receptionist, while spending hours watching YouTube videos on nail techniques. It was exciting to learn, but also a little discouraging. Many traditional nail schools weren’t teaching modern, industry-relevant skills, and often didn’t provide the supplies needed to succeed.

That experience planted the seed for what would eventually become Beauty and the Tea. I realized I could teach myself, learn the craft deeply, and eventually create a business and academy that offered proper education, licensing guidance, and support for artists who wanted to succeed on their own terms.

🌸 The Journey: From Overwhelmed to Unstoppable

It’s been over seven years since I started my nail business, and like many entrepreneurs, I learned everything the hard way — through trial, error, and resilience.

There were moments of burnout, breakdowns, and confusion — but there were also moments of breakthrough. I went from trying to figure it all out to building a brand that hit six figures in just six months. It was rewarding, but also one of the most challenging seasons of my life.

Being a mother, educator, and business owner without a team or a village forced me to wear every hat — and it was exhausting. But every mistake taught me something new. Every setback pushed me closer to my purpose.

Then in 2024, I decided it was time for a complete rebrand. Since then, I’ve been nominated over seven times as one of the Top 3 beauty professionals in Orlando, collaborated with amazing influencers who helped grow my content, and attended my first pop-up event, where the line to my booth wrapped down the aisles. That experience was unforgettable — a powerful reminder that even through depression, comparison, and doubt, you can be seen, heard, and valued. You can always start over and do it better.

💅 Turning Passion Into Purpose

What started as a self-taught passion project has evolved into a global education platform, where I teach nail professionals all over the world through online and hands-on programs. From deluxe pedicures to acrylic, Gel-X, and Polygel techniques, I pour everything I’ve learned into helping others grow and believe in themselves again.

Many of my students started exactly where I did — unsure, overwhelmed, and chasing a dream without guidance. My mission is to show them that it’s possible to build a thriving business, master a craft, and achieve your dreams, even if you start small or face obstacles along the way.

I often tell my students:

“Do it broken. Do it broke. Do it scared. Do it alone.
But do it anyway — because your dreams don’t wait.”

☕ The Meaning Behind Beauty and the Tea

Beauty and the Tea was created with intention and heart — to be more than a business or academy. It’s a safe space for women to feel beautiful, confident, and supported.

Here, beauty meets authenticity. Every service, product, and class comes from a place of understanding, care, and personal experience. I wanted to create a home for artists and clients alike — a space where their needs, dreams, and desires are heard and validated, and where they can find education, inspiration, and community.

This is why I built Beauty and the Tea: a place for women to discover their passion, grow their skill, and feel empowered, all while sharing their journey with someone who truly understands.

🌟 Today and Beyond

Today, I continue to grow Beauty and the Tea with new training programs, high-quality products, and mentorship opportunities for artists ready to elevate their careers and confidence.

From local students in Orlando to artists around the world, my mission is clear: to educate, inspire, and empower. To show that success doesn’t come from perfection, but from consistency, courage, and heart.

Beauty and the Tea isn’t just my business — it’s my story, my testimony, and my love letter to every woman who’s ever had to rebuild herself, start over, or chase her dream against all odds. 💖