There’s no perfect time to start a business. And definitely no perfect time to start two — while raising five kids.

But if you ask Jen Beyers, the founder of Evrmore Extensions and co-CEO of Rare Bird Beauties, she’ll tell you the secret isn’t perfect timing. It’s radical candor, creative problem solving, and being all-in on your vision. Even when it means building something that’s never existed before.

In our latest episode of Business Origin Stories, Jen walks us through her unconventional path from weekend beauty hobbyist to the owner of two thriving businesses serving clients all over Chicago. This conversation is packed with the kind of wisdom only someone who’s been in the trenches can offer.

Start With the Spark,
Then Follow It

Before she was running two beauty brands in Chicago, Jen was working a desk job that didn’t light her up. But her creativity started to surface on weekends with friends. A few weekend hair and makeup sessions turned into word-of-mouth demand, and that spark eventually became Rare Bird Beauties: a boutique bridal hair and makeup company she launched with her now-business partner.

They didn’t start in a downtown studio. They started in a coach house behind Jen’s apartment.

That scrappy beginning didn’t stop them. Today, Rare Bird serves nearly 500 weddings a year with a team of 60+ artists. But what’s more important than the scale is the mindset: Jen didn’t wait until she was ready. She moved when the spark said go. 

Spot the Problem Before
It’s a Pain Point

Great businesses often start with a gap. And Jen’s second company, Evrmore Extensions, was born out of one.

After years of styling brides, she kept seeing the same extension issues show up: colors that didn’t match, clips that didn’t hold, lengths that didn’t work. The available options weren’t cutting it, and brides didn’t know where to turn.

So Jen created a new category.

Evrmore Extensions offers high-quality, custom-matched, stylist-backed clip-ins that can be ordered by professionals or direct to consumer. And because she built her inventory the same way she built her first business — slow, thoughtful, and responsive — she’s now one of the only providers offering this kind of personalized service in the city.

It’s a masterclass in solving a hyper-specific pain point with precision, care, and zero compromise on quality. 

When the Partnership Gets Hard, Lean In (Not Out)

Running one business is hard. Running one with someone else? That’s a whole other level of complexity.

Jen gets real about the rocky season she and her co-founder walked through that nearly ended the business. But instead of walking away, they got radically honest. They talked about everything: finances, roles, boundaries, the future.

They rebuilt the relationship alongside the business.

Today, radical candor is baked into Rare Bird’s culture. It’s in their onboarding process. It’s in their meetings. It’s how they move through conflict and keep momentum going. And honestly? It’s a big part of why they’re still standing. 

Building a Business That Supports Your Life

Jen’s calendar is color-coded. Her babies are on nap schedules. And her fiancé, Ryan, now helps run operations for both brands.

They’re not doing it all—they’re doing it together. With shared calendars, delegated tasks, and a deep commitment to building a business that supports their family (not just one that demands from it).

And yes, it’s a lot. But the clarity they’ve found came from hard conversations, long nights, and a decision to stay grounded in their values. 

🎧 Want to hear Jen’s full story? Listen now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.