We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lacrecia Steward a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, LaCrecia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Every entrepreneur has a story—their why. It’s what pushes us to keep going. Overall, my mission is a powerful vision of transformation and growth. I want to continue to keep creating a supportive environment where anyone -kids, teens, women & men, can rise above their challenges, embrace their potential, and take the steps to move towards their dreams. It not only empowers them, it also contributes to a more positive and resilient community.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve always had a love for beauty & fashion. As a teen, I’d use my babysitting money or what little allowance I’d get, to buy makeup at the only store in my hometown I could buy it – Walmart! But you couldn’t tell me NOTHING! Wet & Wild lipstick for 83 cents? I was in Heaven! And a good mascara was a must-have. Little did I know later in life I’d become a part of the ANTI-MASCARA CLUB!

As I got older, I started exploring major name brand cosmetics, which led me to pursuing a side hustle doing makeup. I started listening to self-development podcasts, taking business classes, and treating it more like a business than a side hustle and went from doing makeup to becoming a Professional MUA. I started experimenting with lash strips around 2009, clusters in 2010, and eventually made my way to lash extensions in 2012. It wasn’t until 2015 that I came in contact with a licensed lash tech that provided services the way they were supposed to be done. IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW! Now at the time, I was working at a local warehouse. But I picked up 2nd jobs here and there when peak season was over. In May 2017, I decided to take a training to do lash extensions, but unbeknownst to me, I needed to have a license. After attending The Beauty Factor Miami in Miami, FL, and with the encouragement of two heavy hitters in the beauty industry, I decided to open the first and ONLY lash academy in not only Tyler, but East Texas (at that time). We had our grand opening October 3, 2020 (amid Covid) while I was still working at the warehouse. I worked until I had to make a decision. On the night of February 10, 2021, I went to work and gave a 2-day notice that I would be retiring to pursue my dream! Yes, I retired at the age of 47 after 27 years at my full-time job! Our first class began February 22, 2021. So we just celebrated our 4 year anniversary!

Year to date, Lifestyle Lash Academy has serviced 30 counties and graduated 180 students! What I believe sets me apart is that my teaching philosophy goes beyond lashing. Personalized attention and ongoing support are what I take pride in the most. My door is open to not only present students but past students as well.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

This is one that I hardly share. It’s one of those if you know, you know. It was a Friday night, and I was staying with my grandmother. I told her I was going to visit with my mother the next morning because it had been a week since I’d seen or talked to her. In the early hours of March 8, 1997, we received a call that my mother had been shot and killed. When I went to the location of the incident, two of my friends who were police officers at the time, were on the scene. The look on their face when they saw me, confirmed what I prayed NOT to be true. And what hurt the most was that we were starting to repair our relationship, which had been broken for years. I had to tell my younger siblings this awful news. I was crushed. I was allowed one week off from work with pay. I had to go on with my life after having ONE WEEK off from work. I was a single mom so I had to go back to work.

Now let’s fast forward to August 8, 1997. My father dies in prison of a heart attack, if I remember correctly. He was 43. August 10, 1997, my mom would have turned 40. So here I am AGAIN, laying a parent to rest within 5 months. Going back to work after being off for ONE WEEK.

These two traumatic events are the reason I have a low tolerance for excuses. I don’t try to minimize anyone’s reasons for not pursuing their dreams, but I lost both my parents in the worst way. I had to help with the upbringing of my siblings. I had to explain to my son when he got older what happened to his “G”. Even though I am the oldest of 8 kids (The Great 8), there wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t want to get in a fetal position and stay there.

But here I am today, empowering others to not give up on their dreams. I don’t care what it is. I don’t care what happens. Pray. Heal. Take the time you need. Just don’t give up.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Showing up. Supporting others. Clapping for others when no one was clapping for me. I did it, and still do it happily!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: lash_artisan & lifestylelashacademytx
• Facebook: LaCrecia Steward
• Linkedin: LaCrecia Steward
• Other: TikTok – lacrecialasheducator

Image Credits

Darrion Thompson-Identity Capture Photography & Videography