Meet Fumie Hiranuma | Permanent makeup artist/Owner of FH Beauty Ink. LLC.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Fumie Hiranuma and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Fumie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

I was born and raised in Japan. I moved to the USA over 10 years ago with no family, no friends, zero English and only $900 because the economy in Japan was very weak at the time. I was very hopeless there but I didn’t want to give up on my life. I decided to seek opportunities in a country where I might be valued more, and I found a job in LA as a dental technician. I was nervous but more excited about moving. However, the first two years in LA were the most challenging in my life. I had to learn English, adapt to a different culture, adjust to a new lifestyle and master a new job simultaneously. Despite working long hours from 8 am to 8 pm, the pay was low, and I couldn’t afford a car for six months. The struggle was real, I really wanted to go back to Japan everyday but I didn’t because I wanted to accomplish something in LA. I wasn’t sure what at the time.

After 10 years, my English improved, I made good friends, my hourly wage increased more than double in my dental job and I payed off my car loan. I was content with the situation and almost forgot about my goals to accomplish something. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. My job slowed down, and I finally had free time to reflect on my goals. Eventually, I remembered how impressed and happy I felt when I got my eyebrows microbladed. This sparked the idea of learning the techniques and starting my own microblading business. I was confident that I’m good at it because I worked for nearly a decade as a dental technician which required to have steady hands. And I wanted to run a business in  something I’m good at, rather than just what I desired. From the start, everything went off without a hitch because I took an action without overthinking it. I learned hard and quickly about the techniques and how to start the business, I found a nice & small studio while I was still working as a dental technician. I started my business as a side hustle, working weekdays at the dental lab and weekends on my business. I worked tirelessly until my business stabilized. Finally, after half a year, I quit my full time job, and my side hustle turned my real job.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

I own FH Beauty Ink, LLC, a permanent makeup salon located in Torrance, Los Angeles county. Specializing in natural-looking microblading, I offer a semi-permanent cosmetic treatment that enhances the appearance of eyebrows, making them appear fuller. This is achieved by depositing pigment into the brows using a small blade composed of tiny needles, mimicking the look of naturally-growing brows. Each stroke is meticulously added to create a ‘hair-like’ effect.

While many permanent makeup salons offer a variety of services like ombré eyebrows and lip blush, I prioritize quality over quantity. Mastering the technique of microblading requires profound skill and dedication, distinguishing true specialists from others in the industry. Recognizing this, I have chosen to specialize solely in microblading. My goal is to establish my salon as the premier destination for microblading in LA.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have a lot of places I love! One of my absolute favorite spots is the Little Beach House aka Soho House in Malibu! It’s right next door to Nobu Malibu. I recommend going there during the day time and enjoying LA beach vibes on their beautiful patio with a gorgeous view! They also have excellent food, fancy delicious cocktails and nice music with a live DJ. Everything is perfect there!

If you want to enjoy real music in LA, I highly recommend the oldest bar in Venice Beach “Townhouse”. They have jazz nights every first Saturday. The talented young jazz musicians based in LA play amazing music! I always enjoy the great vibes. This bar has great cocktail selection. My favorite is “East & Hold Up”.

Lastly, as a Japanese individual, I’d like to introduce my favorite Japanese BBQ spot, “Tamaen” in Gardena. They have high-quality meats which are very close to authentic Japanese BBQ in Japan. Also, the staff are very friendly and attentive. While it may be a bit on the pricey side, the experience is undoubtedly worth it, offering a taste of genuine Japanese BBQ right here in LA, without the need to travel all the way to Japan.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First of foremost, I’d like to shoutout to all my clients who have placed their trust in me and supported me throughout my journey. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I can’t thank them enough. I am truly blessed to have such amazing clients who are very kind and supportive. Seeing their happy smiles drives me to work even harder and serves as a constant source of motivation. I love my clients!

I’d also shoutout to my trainer for Microblading techniques, Mahnaz Bahaelou, the owner of Elite permanent makeup & training center. With over 20 years of experience as a permanent makeup artist, Mahnaz graciously shared her extensive knowledge and expertise with me. She has been not only a mentor but also a great role model as both a PMU artist and a successful business owner.

Lastly, I’d like to give a shoutout to my dear friend Yukie, whom I’ve known since high school. She opened her lash business in Japan at the same time as me. We are far away but encouraging each other all the time. Her friendship and moral support have been invaluable to me. Thank you, Yukie, for always being there for me. Your presence in my life is deeply appreciated!

Website: https://browsbyfumie.setmore.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fh_beauty_ink

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064185995784&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Yelp: https://yelp.to/WfTehOmMz9

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@BrowsbyFumie?si=rOYkRtvcBxjg9u2B

Image Credits
Jordan kelker