Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jessica Lyttle Nutt. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Jessica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.
Lash extensions get a bad wrap because although they aren’t necessarily bad for eyelashes, they can be if they’re improperly applied and maintained. My main focus is to ensure that I am preserving my clients’ natural lash health so they can safely and comfortably wear their extensions long-term. I customize every set of lashes down to the weight, length, and density of each individual extension, so every client’s extensions are unique to them, adjustable, and can be worn for years.
Jessica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hi! My name is Jessica Lyttle Nutt, and I am the owner of Lashed Call, offering lash extensions in Northwest Austin, Texas. I have wanted to be an artist since I was very young, and through Cosmetology I have found a career where I can express myself creatively while making others feel beautiful. After only four years in the beauty industry, I have been recognized and invited to participate in creative projects such as editorial magazine photoshoots and creative collaborations, as well as educational opportunities teaching at the beauty school I attended. I am so fortunate to have found success and fulfillment as a professional creative, but it has its ups and downs.
I have been a licensed and certified Cosmetologist and lash artist since 2018, and I have learned the hard way that although this industry can be extremely rewarding, it can also unfortunately be very toxic. Because this is such a common issue across the industry, it is my goal to open a beauty studio where artists can operate in an inclusive, supportive environment without feeling taken advantage of, undervalued, etc. It is important to me to use my knowledge and experiences to support as many other local artists as I can and have a positive impact on our community.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I try to ask new clients how they found me or why they chose me, and one of the things I hear most often is, “no one does lashes like you do.” While I do believe that as artists we all kind of have our own style, the feedback I get is that my lashes look natural even when they are long and full, especially when compared to other artists on social media. My clients are often asked, are those your real lashes?” Lash extensions can be very dark, full, and dramatic, and I respect the artistry behind these looks, but it just isn’t for everyone. I have found my niche by offering health focused, natural, textured lash sets, customized to each clients preferences and needs.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Before I opened my private studio, I was “fired” on the spot in the middle of my work day. I was told “pack your [stuff] tonight, you’re ******* fired”. and had to go back to work and do a full set of wedding lashes for a new client, while racking my brain about how I was going to handle this extreme and sudden change to my livelihood, how I was going to reschedule clients, etc. As is usually the case, this turned out to be a blessing is disguise, despite being incredibly stressful and hurtful initially. I was able to relocate to the Arboretum, which is much cleaner and safer, I retained all of my clients, my career has blossomed exponentially since I left there, and has only pushed me even more to create a work space where no one has to worry about being treated like that. They say a bad experience isn’t a waste if you learned from it, and of course it wasn’t all bad, I learned a lot of what to do and not to do and made some very valuable connections, but it really pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and I took that opportunity and ran with it, truly making lemonade out of lemons!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lashedcall.as.me/
- Instagram: @Lyttle.Nutt