We recently connected with Lashondra White and have shared our conversation below.

Lashondra , appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

Starting a lash business, or any business, is hard. I have had failed businesses before and I had to remember my lessons from them.

One thing that I had to do a lot of was writing my plans down on paper. This helped me to know what direction I wanted to go in and what type of clients I would be servicing. I would write all my ideas down in spiral notebooks so I could visualize a path to where I needed to go.

To learn how to actually apply lashes I resesarched different companies. I selected the company that fit my budget. I found that a lot of the lash training companies are selling the name. The basic practice of applying lash extensions may not need to cost over a $1,000 to learn. If your a licensed beauty professional you will know certain things about health and safety. You just need to learn how to apply the lashes.

I was a newbie to marketing. I took a class on how to run Facebook ads. I also decided after knowing the type of client I wanted which lead generation platform to be on. I was on a lead generation site for abotu 12 lash clients. After I get that experience I left the site and started to get lash clients on my own. I opened Sheer Faces during a pandemic and that was challanging. I had to figure out how to attract the clients I wanted. I learned through trial & error.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a single parent that raised 6 children. I lived below poverty for many years. I have a BSBM from University of Phoenix. I attended Douglas J. Aveda because I thought it would be a good way to make extra money. I never really thought about opening a salon of any type. While I was at Aveda, I entered the PBA (Professional Beauty Association) Beacon contest and I won. From that win I went to Vegas for one week and I got a chance to be mentored by others in the beauty field. This trip sparked my interest in maybe owning my own salon someday.

Not long after I got my Cosmetology license from the State of Michigan, I was hit by a car while walking and that kinda changed my perspective on what I wanted to do with my life. Then the pandemic hit and that gave me the resources to open Sheer Faces. I budgeted all the money I had and made sacrifices to open my lash studio.

At Sheer Faces I focus on lash styles that are for the everyday person that wants to look ready each day. My lash clients are busy Moms, servers, and people in the health field. I don’t cater to the audience that wants a mega volume lash look. I do lash styles that give a bit of glam to your natural beauty.

I am most proud of the fact that I have the clients that I want. Also, that I provide a lash experience that people like and continue to rebook for more. I did also create a lash training course that I am also proud of because I wrote the material and I shot all the content myself. I have had over 30 students go through the Sheer Faces Lash & Business Training course. It feels good to share what I know about the the lash business so another person like me, can start their own lash business.

Have you ever had to pivot?

The recent fianancial challanges have caused me to rejoin the workforce. I felt defeated totally but it was necessary for me to take a job because clients were coming in but their rebooks were maybe 3-4 weeks out instead of 2 weeks. I found a remote job that pays the bills. I am glad that I took the job because it reminds me everyday to keep going.

The job I do Monday – Friday makes me appreciate so much more all I have and continue to put into Sheer Faces. I never want to be without options in my life. For me having a job opens you up to being fired at any time for any reason beyond your control. Have my own lash business gives me options. I have learned to automate a lot of the behind the scenes tasks and my lash bookings are always full. I am preparing to hire and I am shooting new content for my lash course.

The remote job helps to accomplish these things but I will not be staying in the job longer then need be. I have a business goal and I am sticking to it.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I like to listen to books on Audible. The books that helped me see my journey differntly are:

1. The E-Myth Revisted. This book helped me learned how to develop systems. It also showed me how important it is to have systems in place because your business hould be serving you. Not you serving your business. I am getting comfortable with the concept of “I cannot work in my business and expect it to grow. I need to work on my business, put systems in place, and hire help to assist me in acheving my goals for my business.”

2. Profit First for Minority Business Enterprises. This book showed me the importance of having bank accounts set up properly so I know where my money is going.

3. We Should All Be Millionaires. This book gives me life each time I read it! It talks about how women have struugled to gain financial freedom and why we deserve to shoot for millionaire status.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.flowcode.com/page/misslaentrepreneurs
• Instagram: https://www.flowcode.com/page/misslaentrepreneurs
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissLaDetroit
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lashondra-white-52199160/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/misslabosschick
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPqpSLvcwWGfQ8fc8_ePkkw