Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andra Tashjian. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Andra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission is to create an eco-conscious lash company that not only creates high quality eco-friendly products but also gives back to community and our oceans.

Andra, 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?

Through scuba diving, I discovered and deepened my passion for the oceans and their conservation. When I noticed our earth and its oceans are being choked by pollution, I felt hopeless- I saw how my career as a lash artist hurt our oceans through single-use plastics, and felt immense guilt over the ‘necessary evils’ that my career produced. As I did research, I discovered that the beauty industry is one of the biggest polluters and I was driven to believe that there was more I needed to do to reduce the amount of waste my beloved career generated. This led me to think outside of the plastic box and create quality and naturally decomposing beauty products that every lash artist can use. Although the lash extensions themselves are not sustainable, my brand is one of the first to create renewable single-use items. Along with running LunaKai and providing beauty services, I teach lash certification classes that give women a way to have financial freedom and security while showing them that they can create less waste. As a woman, there is nothing better than seeing another woman take control of her life and be able to provide for herself and her family.
One of the biggest reasons I was able to make it this far in my business is because of the relationships I have created. I have strong connections with fellow lash artists, my clients, other small lash shop owners, along with the charities that my company steadily donates to. With this immense support network, I am able to do things that I could never have accomplished on my own and through these connections, my kids are able to learn that it’s okay to ask for help and that no person- or business- is an island. The connections I have made throughout my business journey are what I am most proud of.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

LunaKai has had its ups and downs, we have had our setbacks and challenges but I have always faced them head on with the support of my family, friends, and clients. During the 2020 pandemic, I sought help from a marketing director that depleted the majority of my funds and left me with nothing in return. I have had help from my family, friends, loyal clients, and fellow small business owners but I still have not been able to break into the SEO and social media game as much as my business needs. When my marketing director left me with none of the things he promised me and very little funds left, I had to redesign my own website, create my own ads, and take my own photos. My family stood by me and fellow small business owners stepped in and offered me advice. One of the biggest reasons I was able to make it this far in my business is because of the relationships I have created. Although I have faced many challenges throughout the development of LunaKai Lash, I continue to persevere in order to promote my message that we can create beauty and confidence without the confines and drawbacks of single-use plastics.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I do think that there is a need for attention to the plastic issue in the beauty industry. I see other lash companies making small changes to their lash products now, such as cardboard lash trays instead of plastic. These small changes alone can make a big difference. The hardships happening around our world show the consequences of our plastic use have brought to attention that there needs to be some changes when we shop. LunaKai Lash’s commitment to giving back to our community with monthly clean ups, and our donations to coral restoration has shown our dedication to making a difference, not a dollar.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lunakailash.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunakai__lash/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LunaKaiLash

Image Credits
Coral Gardeners