Custom Eyes by Kerry | West Bend, WI

Kerry Miller is finally ready to make her teenage dream a reality

When Kerry Miller was seventeen, she had a clear plan. She would get her cosmetology license and a business degree and that would be her career: she would own a beauty salon. She worked in that industry for 14 years and then life got in the way, as it so often does for Sky’s the Limit entrepreneurs. Now, three grown-up kids and a disappointing job later, Kerry is launching CustomEyes by Kerry and getting back to her original career dream.

“Despite tragedy, and through hard work, you can achieve great things.”

When Kerry was nine, her father died of cancer. From that point on, she witnessed her mother’s hard work and sacrifice as she raised her kids while working full time and attending college full time. Kerry uses that example to remind herself that she is capable of hard things. She and her husband decided to get married and have kids while they were still young themselves so that when the kids were grown up and out of the house, they would still have time to pursue their own dreams. Kerry is proud of her kids; they all have college degrees and are successful adults. When the kids had all left home, Kerry found herself in a career she didn’t enjoy, and she knew it was time to get back to her entrepreneurship dreams.

Now that Kerry has an empty nest, she has started a permanent makeup studio called CustomEyes by Kerry. She is motivated by the emotional and physical transformation that her clients experience. For them, permanent makeup isn’t only about convenience, though that is part of the benefit. Often Kerry is giving her clients back something they thought was lost to them forever. She wants to be able to give cancer survivors and those suffering from hair loss a self-esteem boost. She intends to further her education so that she can offer a full slate of services, including permanent makeup, scar camouflage, and areola reconstruction tattooing.

“She’s thorough in everything she does for her business while simultaneously being present for her family... I think our mentor/mentee relationship has progressed very well and I’m excited to continue to work with her as she grows her business.”- Matt Manzi

Matt Manzi, Director of Utilities at Accenture, has been working with Kerry for a few months. “During this time, we’ve had 10 meetings wherein we’ve collaborated on the following: target/ideal customer identification, time management, business approach and activities, business location lease, local charity marketing event, and grant application including value proposition, elevator pitch, video and campaign details,” he says. “Through it all, Kerry has been exceptional to work with. She’s prepared for every meeting. She’s adhered to schedules and goals that we’ve agreed upon, such as date-specific steps in completing her grant application. She’s thorough in everything she does for her business while simultaneously being present for her family, including planning and holding a bridal shower for her future daughter-in-law during this timeframe. I think our mentor/mentee relationship has progressed very well and I’m excited to continue to work with her as she grows her business.”