We recently connected with Anais Gornail and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Anais thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

I am 1000% happier as a business owner. I get to wake up every day and do what I absolutely love. I get to wake up everyday and decide what I’m going to do and work toward MY dreams and my goals. I never think about what it would be like to have a regular job because I’ve been there and done that and won’t be going back. I really think the last time I thought about that was in 2018 when I was deciding what life would look like once I quit my 9-5 job. I remember sitting in the conference room with one of my bosses at the time in tears because I was scared to quit but also because I hated my job. That situation lead to my boss basically telling me if that’s what I really wanted to do then do it. He had seen me ordering packages to the office for my lash room and seen how much I had built the business in just 6 months.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

 

For anyone who doesn’t know me, My name is Anaïs and I am a Haitian, Cuban and African American female entrepreneur living in Miami. I am a lash artist, educator, and owner of Lash Lounge Miami.

I currently offer a variety of lash services and brow services that include both individual lash extensions and lash lifts, brow wax, brow tint, and brow lamination.

Since my last time speaking with Voyage Miami I have started a product line in which I sell high quality lash supplies for artists, started a brand new lash business podcast that can be found linked on my Instagram, and finally found the perfect studio space located in Bay Harbor Islands for my team and I.

I also teach classic and mega volume techniques in private, small groups, and currently working on the launch of our online courses, mentorship calls, and free guides.

I always thought I would end up in the medical field and even went to school for bio, then chem, and ended up a nursing major that decided to drop out to be a lash artist, thankfully. Now that I think of it, as a child I used to always find ways to sell things and make money. I would make jewelry and bring it to school and sell items I had already made and take custom orders from all the girls and give them quotes for each piece of jewelry. I’ve basically been a hustler my whole life so I was bound to realize I needed to find the industry for me and work for myself.

I think I am most proud of the fact that I have never once doubted my ability to achieve my goals. I may sometimes get burnt out, tired, or frustrated but I have never found myself on the verge of giving up or thinking I couldn’t find my way in this industry no matter what obstacles I may have been thrown.

Something that sets me apart from everyone else and what I want clients to know is the fact that I invest so much of my money into quality education and I am always looking for new creative ways to level up the client experience to keep that sense of luxury going and to provide my clients with top tier service. Not enough clients or artists care enough about the education their artists are investing and how often these investments are being made. Client experience is just as important as education to me. My clients are treated like the queens that they are and not only leave me looking their best but feeling their best. Not to mention my artistry saves them a good 15-30 minutes in the morning or whenever they are getting ready.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media is definitely something I feel I’m good at and I’m typically the one people will go to when they have questions on social media. I have built my audience and presence organically through being myself. That is the best advice I can give to anyone trying to grow a presence. Showing up on social media everyday and keeping it real with your audience is the key to it all. People like feeling included, they like feeling like they are apart of something or like they really know you. With that being said, let your audience get to know your personality, let them in on things you’re working on for the business, let them in on your day to day life, educate them etc. It’s extremely important to put out different types of content while staying on brand and true to yourself. It’s also important to stay consistent with your content because who trusts inconsistency? Make sure to engage with your followers, leave GENUINE comments, respond back to comments left on your page, build real relationships through this platform. Social media is a tool, it’s not all fun and games like we think. Last but not least, while social media is like a “portfolio” or business card its important to show your face on stories and your personality through reels. If you aren’t doing those two things, good luck.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

I sell all my lash products and supplies on my Shopify E-commerce store. I have never really thought of using something like Etsy but I have considered having my products available on Amazon. So far I have no complaints and find Shopify extremely helpful, user friendly and very resourceful. They have an amazing customer service team that can help with just about everything if I’m unsure of how to do it myself.

I don’t really have any cons but some of the other features I do love is the fact that I can print my shipping labels right from my site and can schedule pick up so I don’t have to go to the post office. They give me great shipping rates and a local pick up option.

Shopify has tons of useful apps and marketing materials you can build in and integrate to your site.

I also have financing and payment plans options I’ve added in with Shop Pay and Klarna that can be used on my products and my courses.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lashlounegmia.com
• Linkedin: https://instagram.com/lashloungemia?igshid=NmZiMzY2Mjc=
• Other: https://msha.ke/lashloungemia/ This leads to all my important links for my website to shop supplies & courses, mentorship calls, online courses & free guides, booking site, and lash business podcast.
• New Studio Location:  1090 Kane Concourse Suite 206, Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154

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