Anyone that knows me personally or even in a business sense knows that I love to put up inspirational quotes on social media and I absolutely love to be inspired by other people in business. I always want to know what the journey has been like for others because Lord knows my journey has been a rocky one. So with all that said, there will be monthly features/interviews on the Be Simply Stunning Beauty Blog on different individuals and entrepreneurs in the Beauty Industry. Our first feature, I am absolutely soooooo excited about. She brought me on this year to aid in making her first Bronner Brothers Hair Show vendor experience a successful one and I am forever grateful that she seen enough in me, to even ask me to be apart. We had a blast!
Everyone meet "Lady Lash" of Lash Brat. Hear some of her story here, as I was able to ask her a few questions regarding her journey as an entrepreneur in the beauty industry. Be Inspired!!!!
Everyone meet "Lady Lash" of Lash Brat. Hear some of her story here, as I was able to ask her a few questions regarding her journey as an entrepreneur in the beauty industry. Be Inspired!!!!
BSS: Hello , Thank you for allowing us to find out more about your journey with Lash Brat.
Lady Lash: Thank you for giving me this opportunity.
BSS: We are going to ask you a few questions just to see what that journey has really been for you.
Lady Lash: Let's do it!
BSS: To start, When did you start your brand Lash Brat?
Lady Lash: I started creating Lash Brat in March of 2012. I've always wanted to have my own business and it made sense for me to get into the beauty industry since most of the women in my family have worked in beauty for decades. From my great-grandmother all the way down to my sisters who are hairstylists and estheticians. So I've always been exposed to that world. I loved wearing lashes but grew tired of the beauty supply store brand (in the blue and white box...LOL!). I didn't feel like they enhanced my beauty and I didn't really care for the styles. One day, I was in my sister's salon (Teasa and Company Hair Studio...shameless plug LOL!) and I was expressing to her my desire to have my own business. She quickly replied "You should have your own lash line!" At first I thought it was a silly idea but I went home that night and started to do some research. I found a few manufacturers to produce the lashes based on my designs, did a ton of sampling, designed my lash boxes, created my website, and much more. Five months later, Lash Brat was born in August 2012.
BSS: Was it an expensive investment?
Lady Lash: YES! There were two types of investments that went into creating Lash Brat. First, the financial investment. The most expensive part was the sampling process. This was the most crucial area because I wanted to make sure the lash quality was great and the styles were something that I would wear. Second, the time investment. I worked a countless amount of hours within the 5 months it took to create my brand. Some days, I would only get 3 hours of sleep because I was so driven and focused on launching in August 2012. I committed myself to a specific date and held myself accountable.
BSS: Have you had a moment when you have wanted to just throw in the towel on your business?
Lady Lash: Absolutely! I have those moments all the time. I even felt that while planning to make my debut at the Bronner Bros. Hair Show in August 2014. It was such a stressful process because I was juggling a lot and it felt easy to just give up on the show. But I have a STRONG support system who wouldn't allow me to quit. So I kept pushing forward and I am so happy that I did because the show was a huge success.
BSS: What steps would you advise someone to take when wanting to start any beauty business?
Lady Lash: Good question. The biggest piece of advice that I will give anyone who wants to start a beauty business or any business for that matter is "Don't quit your day job!" Often times, people think that when you are an entrepreneur you should only work for yourself, but I beg to differ. It takes money to make money. So you need a good job that will bring you in the funds you need to invest in your business, at least in the beginning. If you are blessed to have investors who can fund your startup, that is great, but those investors now become your stakeholders and I personally do not want anyone to take stake in my business at this stage while I'm shaping my brand to my liking. With that said, I kept my corporate job as a Software Engineer so that I could invest in myself 100%. It is tough to juggle the two, but nothing worth having comes easy.
BSS: Where are most of your "Lash Brats" from? (Lash Brat: a term used when identifying someone who has purchased a pair of Lash Brat lashes)
Lady Lash: Thanks to the power of the Internet and social media, I have Brats all over the world. I have customers who order lashes from the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The only continent left to conquer is Antarctica. HA! Most of my Brats are from the USA, United Kingdom, and Dubai.
Well there you have it. This woman is definitely doing her thing. If she can do it, then you can too. Just remember to hold yourself accountable to get things done, never quit and understand that the best investment you can ever make, is in yourself. You can get yoursignature Lash Brat lashes and stay updated with Lady Lash and her Lash Brat brand at these social media sites below!!!!!
Be Inspired!
Shop: www.lashbrat.com
Email: [email protected]
IG: http://instagram.com/iamlashbrat
Twitter: @IamLashBrat
"Like" them: Facebook.com/IamLashBrat
Lady Lash: Thank you for giving me this opportunity.
BSS: We are going to ask you a few questions just to see what that journey has really been for you.
Lady Lash: Let's do it!
BSS: To start, When did you start your brand Lash Brat?
Lady Lash: I started creating Lash Brat in March of 2012. I've always wanted to have my own business and it made sense for me to get into the beauty industry since most of the women in my family have worked in beauty for decades. From my great-grandmother all the way down to my sisters who are hairstylists and estheticians. So I've always been exposed to that world. I loved wearing lashes but grew tired of the beauty supply store brand (in the blue and white box...LOL!). I didn't feel like they enhanced my beauty and I didn't really care for the styles. One day, I was in my sister's salon (Teasa and Company Hair Studio...shameless plug LOL!) and I was expressing to her my desire to have my own business. She quickly replied "You should have your own lash line!" At first I thought it was a silly idea but I went home that night and started to do some research. I found a few manufacturers to produce the lashes based on my designs, did a ton of sampling, designed my lash boxes, created my website, and much more. Five months later, Lash Brat was born in August 2012.
BSS: Was it an expensive investment?
Lady Lash: YES! There were two types of investments that went into creating Lash Brat. First, the financial investment. The most expensive part was the sampling process. This was the most crucial area because I wanted to make sure the lash quality was great and the styles were something that I would wear. Second, the time investment. I worked a countless amount of hours within the 5 months it took to create my brand. Some days, I would only get 3 hours of sleep because I was so driven and focused on launching in August 2012. I committed myself to a specific date and held myself accountable.
BSS: Have you had a moment when you have wanted to just throw in the towel on your business?
Lady Lash: Absolutely! I have those moments all the time. I even felt that while planning to make my debut at the Bronner Bros. Hair Show in August 2014. It was such a stressful process because I was juggling a lot and it felt easy to just give up on the show. But I have a STRONG support system who wouldn't allow me to quit. So I kept pushing forward and I am so happy that I did because the show was a huge success.
BSS: What steps would you advise someone to take when wanting to start any beauty business?
Lady Lash: Good question. The biggest piece of advice that I will give anyone who wants to start a beauty business or any business for that matter is "Don't quit your day job!" Often times, people think that when you are an entrepreneur you should only work for yourself, but I beg to differ. It takes money to make money. So you need a good job that will bring you in the funds you need to invest in your business, at least in the beginning. If you are blessed to have investors who can fund your startup, that is great, but those investors now become your stakeholders and I personally do not want anyone to take stake in my business at this stage while I'm shaping my brand to my liking. With that said, I kept my corporate job as a Software Engineer so that I could invest in myself 100%. It is tough to juggle the two, but nothing worth having comes easy.
BSS: Where are most of your "Lash Brats" from? (Lash Brat: a term used when identifying someone who has purchased a pair of Lash Brat lashes)
Lady Lash: Thanks to the power of the Internet and social media, I have Brats all over the world. I have customers who order lashes from the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The only continent left to conquer is Antarctica. HA! Most of my Brats are from the USA, United Kingdom, and Dubai.
Well there you have it. This woman is definitely doing her thing. If she can do it, then you can too. Just remember to hold yourself accountable to get things done, never quit and understand that the best investment you can ever make, is in yourself. You can get yoursignature Lash Brat lashes and stay updated with Lady Lash and her Lash Brat brand at these social media sites below!!!!!
Be Inspired!
Shop: www.lashbrat.com
Email: [email protected]
IG: http://instagram.com/iamlashbrat
Twitter: @IamLashBrat
"Like" them: Facebook.com/IamLashBrat
