Before there was a brand, there was a moment of risk. It was just before the world shut down in 2020. A single mother, Nancy Rice, new to Carson Valley, saw an opportunity not just to work, but to build something.
“I had been a makeup artist for nine years already,” she says. “But I saw the chance to create more than that—a team, a community of artists.” At the time, it was small. One to three artists. A simple concept. A lot of unknowns.
The business was originally called Nancy Rice Artistry, but as it grew, something became clear: it needed to represent more than one person.
“That’s where Luna Belle Beauty came from,” she explains. “It was about bringing everyone together.”
What followed was a huge learning curve. “I knew nothing about business,” she admits. “P&Ls, taxes, operations, it was all new.” Like many small business owners, she built it in real time. Trial, error, adjustment. Then repeat.
Today, the business runs far beyond what it started as. Her days are split between constant communication between emails, scheduling, coordination, time spent on-site, and traveling to clients and providing services several days a week.
But the real challenge isn’t the workload, it’s the balance.
“It’s a constant effort,” she says. “When my kids are home, I try to give them 100% of my attention. I put the phone away.” That boundary doesn’t always come easily, especially in a business that operates heavily on weekends and events. But it’s intentional.
“Being a mom comes first,” she says. “Always.”
There were moments along the way where the outcome wasn’t certain. “Absolutely, I doubted it,” she says. “There were times I didn’t know if it would work.” The turning point wasn’t a big milestone or public recognition. It was simpler than that. “The first year I made a profit,” she says. “That’s when I knew.”
For her, being “self-made” isn’t about doing everything alone, but about building a life that aligns with what matters.
“It means choosing how I live,” she explains. “Being able to be present for my kids while doing something I love.”
That perspective shows up in how she runs her business, too. Clients aren’t just appointments…they’re relationships. Women of all ages and backgrounds trusting her and her team to help them feel confident. “It’s a really special experience,” she says. “Especially with our older clients.”
But when asked what she’s most proud of, her answer doesn’t center on the business. “I’m proud of being present for my kids,” she says. “I fought for that.” Now, she’s looking ahead, not just at growth, but impact.
“My next step is helping other women do the same,” she says. “Especially single moms.” Because for her, success isn’t just about building something. It’s about proving it can be done and then showing others how.
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Until next time,
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much”