We were lucky to catch up with Lonice Stoker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lonice , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

My first client was from Facebook, the power of a before and after picture even before Instagram was popular is how my first client found me. I actually saw her at an event last month and got emotional when I saw her because she gave me a chance 8 years ago in my living room on my hard massage table for lashes. She loved her lashes and told a friend about me and it continued to grow from there. Instagram was life changing for me it was all pictures back then so I had to always remember to post before and afters 3 times per day every single day at 8am, 12pm, and 7pm. That was my daily post even if I used the same photos that was marketing. Repetition was the formula I learned and still the key to success today. IG allows you to market your business for free and become wealthy. It was a dream to me. I couldn’t believe it and 8 years later 90% of my clients still come from Instagram

Lonice , 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?

Laced by Lonice Spa & Boutique is a (Trademark was born in September of 2015. I started off as a lash model for my esthetician friend at the time and with me being a minimalist with makeup I loved the way lash extensions allowed me to look like I wake up in my makeup so I asked her would she teach me. And she said yes. Believe it or not I hated lashes, it was sooo hard for me at first. But I was determined not to waste my $500 Investment so I started to call every person on my phone to come to my house before I could afford a lash bed I was doing clients in my personal bed and I used my couch ottoman as my stool to sit on. After that, i put together a plan to leave corporate America but the very next week I got laid off but I was happy about it, scared, nervous all at the same time because I knew that is when the True Entrepreneur was developed in January 2015 and I started esthetician school March 2015, graduated October 2015 and here I am today!!

I’m now an award winning Esthetician, and Spa Hall of Fame Recipient from the Black Spa Awards, I am a product creator of Skin-Cess which the first Niacinamide Vitamin On the market

I offer Corrective Skin Care for those with acne and hyperpigmentation to provide life changing results improving clients of my community’s self esteem, and confidence with our services.

We offer skin tag treatments, eyelash extensions, Waxing, body sculpting, teeth whitening, teeth bling.

Lash extensions cuts time off from getting ready in the morning and allow client to throw away the mascara and bye to smeared black eyes! Hello to luxurious lash extensions!

What sets us apart is we creates client experience that’s memorable starting by greeting clients by name. Every service is customized to each individual Client.. we love to give our clients gifts! We want our clients skin to thrive when they leave us and think of us when they are home! Quality over speed always! We have premium quality products we use and only want the best at our spa.

I’m most proud of being a pioneer in the spa community and by creating solutions for people through self care.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

The honest to God truth is I funded my business with my own hard earned cash from my corporate job as a Buyer in corporate retail. I spent my last $5k in my savings to go to esthetician school. I have been a full time entrepreneur for the past 7 years and 8 years in business. I learned about business capital and business funding about 3 years ago and now I’m connected to so many companies that want to give me money all the time. It’s powerful!!

Have you ever had to pivot?

I officially graduated esthetician school and started my business full time September 2015 and got my LLC. I started in my house first and was mobile for a short time, then transitioned into a salon suite setting, then in December 2019 I moved my clients to my first Brick & Mortar location, free standing building then my grand opening was February 2020 and then Covid happened March 2020. All my cash money spent to get my new building ready and the world shut down! My heart was shattered like what, why, how! This has to be a dream! I was scared, worried, so many emotions! But thank God for the ability of having products! The advantage of being and esthetician is you are automatically set up to have at least 2 streams of income off top from services and products! Pivoting to product sales saved my business and allowed me to stay afloat and survive the pandemic. Through IG free marketing, offering virtual skin consultations, selling my at home facial streamer, with customized skincare kits I survived

Contact Info:

• Website: www.LACEDBYLONICE.com
• Instagram: @lacedbylonicespa
• Facebook: Laced by Lonice Spa & Boutique
• Linkedin: Lonice Stoker
• Twitter: @lacedbylonicespa

Image Credits
@tallreggie @reneerichmedia @jackcannonphotography @acharstudios