CHARLOTTE, N.C. — From a young age, Kristal J. had an entrepreneurial drive.
“I was kind of doing that in high school. I was a kitchen beautician. I always knew that I didn’t want to work a regular nine-to-five,” she shared.
That drive led the New York native to move to Charlotte in 2007. She eventually opened a shoe store in Concord.
“I was selling a lot on eBay and then I was like 'okay, I’m just going to move'. I didn’t even have a plan,” Kristal recalled. “I’m just going to move and figure it out. I’m a risk taker. I jump first and figure out how I’m going to land.”
Years later, Kristal opened a studio in NoDa as a licensed esthetician. However, she said she had her sights set on much more.
“I kind of was like 'I want to help other entrepreneurs and see them through,'” said Kristal.
Her next step: a building along West Sugar Creek Road.
Kristal transformed the more than 5,700 square foot space into more than just a hub for entrepreneurs; it's a one-stop shop for self-care.
“I get to work with so many entrepreneurs and be able to sit down with them and talk them through different processes,” she stated.
She opened Moulin Bouge Lifestyle Coterie in July 2024. It offers services like massage therapy, fitness classes, saunas, and even mental health services.
“Coming into a space like this and people know you are going to see a therapist is regular. It’s not something you have to hide,” Kristal explained.
While Moulin Bouge is still in its infancy, Kristal said she already has the drive to expand one day.
Contact Nick Sturdivant at nsturdiva1@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.