We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jennifer Thomason a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jennifer, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

There were multiple risks as part of the journey of opening up Moja Beauty. The first one, and maybe not the most obvious, is that LA and Denver’s beauty scene are not the same. We noticed that some people elected to do more of a dramatic lash or brow style, but in LA there seems to be a theme of “less is more”. So far, the majority of clients that I have seen have asked to be transitioned out from a very heavy, uncomfortable, and unnatural lash/brow finish. That has been a fun, transformative experience. Showing them that there is a more natural way of accomplishing the look that they desire is the goal at the end of the day.

The next risk is more about how Moja engages with clients. Our business was created during the pandemic with the idea that we could be mobile in service. Originally names The Babe Mobile, the idea was that we would provide a luxury service as a mobile salon. After COVID restrictions were lifted and having a better understanding of safety requirements, we refocused the business strategy. to a salon That plan was again flipped upside down when learning that moving to Denver would be part of my future plans. Not only did we have to switch business tactics, but then we changed locations. Once I moved to Denver, I had to cold start a clientele list with no network here.

Lastly, and maybe the most obvious, but doing this alone is a major risk. It’s one thing to do quality work and service clients, but what they don’t teach you in school is that you have to find a workspace, do the renovations, design everything, plus figure out finances and taxes. All of this combined makes work interesting day to day. Every work day is super unique and never feels repetitive.

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

About 4 years ago, the idea of Moja beauty began. The career of an esthetician isn’t clearly defined, therefore it was really hard to understand what steps to take. It’s hard not to feel self conscious when you don’t have traditional degree to fall back on. At the time, retail jobs were only a means to a paycheck. But, what I now realize is that it helped me learn administrative tasks, how to upsell customers, and manage inventory which are all key elements to running a business. Even having experience in working in restaurants has taught me how to be hospitable and how to welcome and care for customers.

Being able to move from having no direction, to knowing exactly what Moja Beauty is meant to be, feels like a great accomplishment. The best part about my job is that I get to help my clients look and feel their best. It is beyond belief that I have been able to create my own brand and launch Moja Beauty in a different state in such short time. Networking and being a social butterfly has really worked to my brand’s benefit. I thrive when I connect and bond with my clients. It is super important to have that special connection, and to know that your clients feel comfortable and trusting of you.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Moja Beauty has found a great amount of success in writing direct messages on Instagram and offering a promotion to new clients. Potential customers love a deal, and it is a great way to get their foot in the door. It helps to follow people on Instagram that have interests in common, and then you can build a relationship by interacting with them on your business account. Also, when a specific Instagram post does well, paying to boost the post gains new exposure which leads to new business opportunities. Another trick that I’ve learned is to always post availability while trying to fill open spots in my schedule. Almost 100% of the time those appointments get filled and booked. If you visually show clients that you are on high demand and only have a certain amount of time open for the week you are basically convincing them that they need to book with you.

As a new resident to Denver, it has been vital to get out and be social. It is important to create your own network. I have met a lot of clients and friends through pilates class, my real estate agent, and through other beauty professionals. Always keep a business card on you because you never know who you’re going to meet. Word-of-mouth has been the number one source of incoming clients for Moja Beauty. My brand strives to provide excellent customer service and focuses on building a trusting relationship with my clients.

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

What has helped Moja Beauty’s reputation is staying true to our brand. Moja Beauty is committed to providing services that enhance our client’s natural beauty. We offer high-quality services, are knowledgeable about beauty products, and value great customer service skills. Moja has gained popularity mostly through word of mouth referrals.

My roots lie in Los Angeles, where we have access to some of the best training in the beauty industry. Having the credentials of being an esthetician from Los Angeles has definitely come a long way in Denver. After noticing that there is far less competition in Denver, we refuse to perform a service and put our name and brand on something that is not within our means aesthetically. My work is my signature, and that is something I am not willing to compromise.

As a business owner, having a friendly, welcoming personality goes a long way. Our clients are naturally in a vulnerable place with their eyes closed for almost an hour during their appointments. Having a good conversation makes the experience so much more fun and enjoyable. It is definitely work to keep up with social media, but having an online presence and interacting with people is so helpful. It invites new clients to follow your journey or even book an appointment. Instagram has been such a useful tool and a great way to build an online portfolio. Most of our clients find us on Instagram and can tell us apart from the work of our competitors.

In the beginning stages of building clientele, I was prepared to work long hours to accommodate as many clients as possible. Having a flexible schedule, but also setting boundaries so that client’s respect and value my time is huge. It definitely took some time to feel comfortable charging for last minute cancellations and handling clients who book the wrong service because they want a lower price point. Being clear with communication and setting those boundaries has in turn bettered my relationship with all of my return clients and feels very healthy.

When creating the space for Moja Beauty in Denver, I wanted to create something that stood out. I wanted Moja Beauty to represent something different. People will ask what my inspiration or aesthetic is, and my response is “A Miami hotel lobby.” It is something that may not even fit in with Denver style, but is my way of expressing myself. We want our clients to feel like they are on vacation. I love my work and wanted to create a memorable environment and experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mojabeauty.co
• Instagram: mojabeauty.co
• Linkedin: Jennifer Thomason