We recently connected with Deja Island and have shared our conversation below.
Deja, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business
The craziest thing that happened to me since I’ve been a business owner would be the time one of my Close friends called state broad on me when I first got my suite.
I had been in my new suite for about 3 months. I only had body contouring clients at the time. I was so focused on being amazing at this new service I wasn’t as focused about my lash career because I didn’t have much lash clientele at the time.
So one day I had a lash client and TDRL came to inspect the building I was working in. I was so confident that I had everything in order for them to check out my room. Well I was in for a rude awakening. I almost got fined for not being licensed. When I first got into lashes I took a mini course and the tech told me I didn’t need one. I was still iffy so I took another class and that tech told me I actually did need one. I was so glad to get the correct information. I really didn’t think anything of it when I moved into my suite since I wasn’t really doing lashes like that and also looking for a school I could go to. So the inspector came in and looked at my room since I had a client at the time she asked me to step out with the owner of the shop and she said that my room was up to speed with TDRL regulations I was so happy to hear that but then she dropped the ball on me and said I was missing one thing.
Of course that one thing was my license! The inspector gave me more information to go over and also recommended some schools. I didn’t get fined but the owner did because he did not ask if I was licensed when I moved in. Thankful that he was understanding and seen how hard I came in to work every day. I couldn’t lash in my suite anymore untill I got my license. I was devastated because I had worked so hard to get there. My closed friend was the only one that knew I wasn’t licensed yet. I found out it was her because the day they came to do a random inspection she posted “ People need to learn the difference between license and certified.” My jaw dropped because I could not believe my friend did this. I would never do that to my friends I’m all about uplifting and giving information if my friend needs it.
So I stopped talking to her. One of my other friend helped me find a school and within a week I was enrolled in school for lashes. Honestly I was hurt but the boss and me said keep going girl! I graduated five months later and my business took off! I launched my first eye lash vending machine. I now service over 75+ ladies in the DFW area for lashes and body contouring and I just started at Celebrity hairstylist Jonathan Wright shop Freeenspalce.
I couldn’t be more proud of myself. You don’t always have to fight battles in a negative way. I took that hate and turned it into positive and leveled myself up!
Watch who you have around you everyone is not genuine but no matter what don’t ever let anyone stop your grind ! 😘
Deja, 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?
I’m a licensed lash artist / body contouring specialist.
I got into this Business as a joke. I used to model and the ladies would never have lashes when it was time to do runway. So I would always joke and say I’m going to start selling strips because you guys never have any lashes. After a few months I decided to actually take me wholesaling lashes seriously. It took me a whole year to really say okay I want to do this and I did it !
It was the best decision I’ve ever made my business means the world to me. I wanted to start selling lash extension trays as well. So that’s what got me into lash extensions I got so excited to learn about all these different ways you can do lashes! Added that on as a service. Since it was the middle of a pandemic and I had just had a baby. I couldn’t get my weight to go down so I was looking for something that I could get done without surgery.
I came across body contouring and I wasn’t really sure if it worked or not so I did as must research as possible. I decided to go ahead and take a class that was another amazing decision that I made.
I absolutely fell in love with my new career. I didn’t really have time to deliver lashes anymore so that’s when I came up with the idea to get the eyelash vending machine so my customers could come and get it out of the machine and I wouldn’t have to deliver them any more.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Giving amazing customer service. I pride myself on my customer service. I want my clients to feel like they’re at home when they come to me. Safe and relaxed.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Word of mouth. I use my clients as my marketing team. I have a referral program that they love. It’s helped me so much. Also stay consistent with updating them and posting pictures.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://square.site/book/1XNJ7RDNPZ49F/blinkbabesco-duncanville-tx
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CeHVK5zOerT/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: Blinkbabesco
- Other: You can also find me on TikTok @Thedejamona