We recently connected with Jhazmine Smith and have shared our conversation below.

Jhazmine, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Regarding my personal business/LLC— Whip Lash’s mission is to have an impact on the inner and outer beauty of any client looking to expand their look. Lashing was an investment and chance that I took to not only enhance my gift but also to assist client’s in their outlook of themselves. Today’s beauty standards are tragically boxed in, but Whip Lash believes in expansion. This could mean different lengths, colors, gems, natural lash sets, bold lash sets, you name it! I love to see my clients happy and in love with their facial features after the enhancement of their lash extensions, that is what drives me to keep going. My genuine happiness with this business is driven from the outcome of a satisfied client.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As many may know, my brand started as a mere notion in undergraduate school. I had the idea, however, there was room for growth in planning and executing. I attempted to start a soft launch of amateur lashing under the name “Jhazzed-Up Lashes”, which was a play on words with my name combined with the look of a lash set. This didn’t take long before I gave it up and realized I needed more understanding of the craft. A couple of years later in 2020, something drove me to want to seek the lashing industry again. I believe it was God. My urge to want to take this craft seriously and execute what I now know was a gift was heightened. Two years later, I am an owner of a trademarked LLC ‘Whip Lash’ and feel that it is truly a passion that I will obtain with many years to come.

I am most proud of the hard work that I placed into this brand. I am most proud of the beautiful smiles that I fostered after the satisfaction of a lash set. I am most proud of the ambition that I hold to continue. One of the most consistent compliments that I have received regarding my business is the exceptional customer service. I believe in kindness, sincerity and fairness in my services. Each and every client is treated the same with a positive attitude. While I love to freestyle on a lash set, this is a client-led service— which means, my job is to execute what my clients feel they would like to see on their lashes.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn is the thief of joy— comparison. There are many wonderful lash artists all over the country, and each person has their own style(s) and their own individual background. There is enough space for each of us to thrive in our craft. In the beginning and even up until my second year of lashing, I would seldomly compare my work with the work of other lash technicians. This would not defeat my outlook of my work, but it would make me wonder how others viewed my work. After a while, I realized that those who are meant to be my clients will come and will make their visits consistent in choosing me to craft. Anything outside of that, is simply not in my control. I love each and everyone of the clients who have given me a chance to work on their beautiful faces!

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

In graduate school, I was blessed to have had a cushion in my savings account. I took a chance on myself, and I bet on me. I did not wipe my savings clean (of course), however, it was my prerogative to use my funds in a way that would later be a returning investment. I bought the absolute must-haves that a lash technician will want to possess in the start of their business, and I utilized client-based funding to purchase further needs for the business following. Best investment I have ever decided on.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Whiplashllc
• Linkedin: Jhazmine K. Smith

Image Credits
Client images taken by Whip Lash, LLC and brand launch photo shoot taken by Charmant Creative Studios.