Fabulous People: Alexandra Bradberry and Leiah Scheibel

Alexandra Bradberry and Leiah Scheibel are the co-founders of The Sparkle Bar, Arizona’s first full-service makeup studio. Innovators and passionate entrepreneurs, these women serve as great inspiration to many here in the Valley.

Hometown?

Leiah Scheibel: Phoenix, Arizona (Place of birth: Bakersfield, CA)
Alexandra Bradberry: San Clemente, CA

First job?

Leiah Scheibel: The Tommy Shop, back when Tommy Hilfiger had a cosmetic line, at Dillard’s at Paradise Valley Mall. All I did was makeup for 8th grade dances.
Alexandra Bradberry: The Limited Too, I’m a 90’s kid! Take me back to inflatable furniture and scrunchy shirts.

Favorite AZ restaurant?

Leiah Scheibel:The Breakfast Club because I’m a sucker for delicious biscuits and gravy.
Alexandra Bradberry: The Tavern. Amazing, like seriously delicious food and extensive wine selection. What more could a girl ask for. It’s also really chill, not pretentious & most important, the food is incredible. The American Classic is my favorite and you must try the coconut cream pie, to die for.

Person who has impacted your life the most?

Leiah Scheibel: My mom. My mom is the most loving, hard working and generous woman that I know. She’ll be the first person to tell you how beautiful you are but that you should still put on a little lipgloss and mascara. While she would do everything in her power to make sure that we were always happy, she let us know that you make your own happiness. When something bad would happen, she would let us have a little pity party, then get over it and move on. (Prep for my entrepreneurial experiences.) My mom is the strongest, most beautiful person, that I have ever met. It’s the best compliment anyone could ever give me is when people tell me I’m just like her.
Alexandra Bradberry: I’m going to have to make this one a plural. From a business perspective, my parents. I’m proud to be their daughter and thankful to them for showing me how to be fearless and take calculated risk. My family, James and our girls- they are my “why”. Leiah and I work a lot, and miss a lot of time but we know that we’re building a legacy that our kids will be proud of.

Your biggest accomplishment in your eyes?

Leiah Scheibel: Outside of raising the radest little gentleman, starting a business with an incredible partner, that gives us an opportunity to make every woman we touch feel absolutely gorgeous, confident and FABULOUS!
Alexandra Bradberry: Aside from my daughters- to date, I’d say our biggest accomplishment has been passing a legislative bill! SB1320 was a pretty big deal especially since it impacted everyone in the makeup industry. I think it’s pretty awesome to know that our efforts resulted in economic liberty for every single makeup artist across the state.

The biggest obstacle you have overcome?

Leiah Scheibel: Learning to ignore people who doubt what Alex and I are capable of.
Alexandra Bradberry: I think in general, especially for The Sparkle Bar was actually generating the support to open. There were a lot of naysayers and major roadblocks, like passing a bill, that could have ended us before we even started but they didn’t and we prevailed so I’m really proud of Leiah and myself and our tenacity. As we continue to grow the obstacles will change but I’m really thankful to have such an amazing partner because I know that we can take on anything, together.

Someone who inspires you?

Leiah Scheibel: The Makeup Artist, Bobbi Brown has always been one of my inspirations. She believes that every single woman is beautiful. That beauty comes from uniqueness and to embrace those differences.
Alexandra Bradberry: my girls, they’re my why.

Favorite quote?

Leiah Scheibel: Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Alexandra Bradberry: There are many but my current mantra, especially and we wrap up our first year is,“I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.” – Steve Jobs, co-founder and CEO of Apple.

Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do?

Leiah Scheibel: Never give up, ask for help and don’t take no for an answer.
Alexandra Bradberry: Don’t stop. Everyday do something that is going to propel your business in the right direction. Stay committed and remain passionate about whatever it is your pursuing.

What makes someone fabulous?

Leiah Scheibel: Confidence and a sense of humor.
Alexandra Bradberry: I think confidence is fabulous and loving yourself is fabulous and supporting other women is fabulous. I love someone who is just genuine and themselves, real people are fabulous.

To learn more about The Sparkle Bar, visit thesparklebar.com.