We were lucky to catch up with Amber Kwong recently and have shared our conversation below.

Amber, appreciate you joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

The American Dream. To open up your own business. Taking a huge risk. To leave that steady paycheck and go all in on the dream you envisioned. The one that when you told others, they just couldn’t see it. This is exactly what I did Christmas Eve 2010 and I’ve never looked back.

I have been a professional makeup artist since 2004 working in movies and television in California. After experiencing a house fire I decided to move back to my hometown, Maryland. Once I was back in Maryland I realized the market wasn’t movies and tv, it was for bridal.

I started working in a high end salon and quickly grew a loyal following in the wedding community as a sought out airbrush makeup artist. I had become the salon manager and was the head makeup artist as well. While doing a consultation with one of my brides she asked if I did eyelash extensions, I knew how to apply lash strips and cluster lashes but had never heard of eyelash extensions. That evening I went deep into the rabbit hole of eyelash extensions. I knew they would be the next big thing in the beauty industry. I researched who I could get certified with and the cost included. I then went around the salon asking clients if they would let me practice on them at a discounted rate if I became certified in lash extensions. By the end of that day I had 20 people signed up. I knew the revenue a service like this could bring in. I took all of that information and created a powerpoint presentation to deliver to the owners of the salon. I wanted them to go half in on the tuition for me to become certified. After my presentation the owners said they needed to discuss and would reconvene the following day. I felt very strong about my presentation and was excited to hear feedback from the owners. As I went back into the office thinking I hit a home run I was surprised to hear the owners say NO. They thought eyelash extensions were going to be a beauty fad. They didn’t see how it was going to be successful and more importantly didn’t see the potential revenue of adding a service like this. Therefore they were not going to invest in me becoming a certified lash artist.

A little ego bruised and surprised by this response I thanked them for their time and honesty but that I believed in myself and I was going to move forward in getting certified on my own without their help. That evening I signed up for a 2 day November 2010 lash course. The day after my course ended I started taking anyone that would let me get my hands on them. I was living in a one bedroom apartment at the time and set up a massage bed in my kitchen to take clients. I would take clients first thing in the morning before having to go into work at the salon or take clients in the late evening hours when I came home from the salon. I knew I was burning the candle at both ends and if I truly wanted to be successful and have a full clientele for lashes I would have to go all in. I knew I had enough weddings booked the following year to help keep me afloat and some money in savings to help pay my bills for 1 yr. Knowing I had rent, utilities and all the other expenses of living on my shoulders could I afford to take that leap of faith and quit my steady paycheck to go all in on a service people hadn’t even heard of. When my husband, who was my boyfriend at the time, said to me, ” You’ll never know if you don’t try.” I knew it was going to be hard work but I also knew I was a determined person and I knew the grit I had. So less than 1 month after getting my eyelash certification I left the salon to give myself a chance.

They say great risk often comes with great reward. I just celebrated my 12th year in business. In 2019 I reached another personal goal when I was approached by Bella Lash to become an Educator. I hold monthly classes to certify lash artists. I am a 2x recipient of The Lashie Awards. I have been featured in publications and podcasts and given a platform to speak to our youth about my journey and following your dream. Look, taking risks can be scary. But I would rather take that risk and fail, because that means I tried than not take the risk and always wonder what if. Take a risk on yourself, it may be the best thing you’ll ever do.

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

I have been in the eyelash industry for over 12 years now. I have my dream clientele and feel so incredibly grateful for each and everyone person I’ve had on my table. I always joke that my love language is lashes. I try to offer the most luxury service from the fireplace roaring in the winter to the rose quartz forehead massage I give at the end of the service. I want this service to be a treat that my clients look forward to.

Besides actually lashing my passion is teaching new lash artist all the tips, tricks and knowledge I have acquired while in the industry. Because lashes are still considered new in the beauty industry I feel as if people like to be gate keepers of knowledge. I want to be someone who helps change that in our industry. I think the more we share information the better our practices will become and strengthen the lash community as a whole. Community over competition, there is enough work for all of us.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients is always going to be word of mouth. In the day of social media many think having a huge following on Instagram will bring them in clientele. From my experience word of mouth has always brought in consistent new clients who become loyal clients. Now Instagram is a great platform to be able to show your work especially in a visual career like mine but it’s a broader reach of people who may not be in my area to actually come in and receive my services. So I always emphasize taking care of my current clients because if you take care of them they will be walking talking billboard for you.

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

Being authentic. There is a lash artist on every corner now. But there’s only one of you. So showing up authentically is going to help build your reputation. Not every client is meant for you, and that is ok.

Having a great work ethic is another way to build your reputation. I see my clients every 3 weeks, if I am constantly running late or cancelling appointments clients are going to look elsewhere. Taking care of your existing clientele is only going to help build your reputation in the place you want it built.

I also am always learning. I am always researching about my craft whether that is talking with other beauty professionals and business coaches. Talking with medical professionals like ophthalmologist and dermatologist about best practices. Continued education, from seminars, to classes and additional certifications. I never stop learning. In an industry that is constantly growing and evolving we have to do the same.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://makeupamber.wixsite.com/amberkwongmakeupmemo
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeupmemories_amberkwong/?hl=en
• Other: https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/makeup-memories-gambrills/a774f9b55d99badc.html