We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leola Abondano . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leola below.

Hi Leola , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I am a lash artist and love doing eyelash extensions for many reasons but just last year I decided I wanted to launch apparel for lash artists like myself. Ever since I can remember I have always been a t-shirt kind of girl . There is something about being able to wake up in the morning and just throw on a t-shirt and go. I have many lash shirts I had bought from other lash brands that I would usually wear to work and one day, while going through all my lash shirts in my closet, I thought to myself “Why don’t I create lash apparel for lash artists?”. However, this was easier said than done. In the beginning there was definitely a learning curve, since I had been lashing for seven years, doing something new I had never done before was a bit challenging. I had some difficult days where I wanted to give up but I continued to remind myself it would get easier. After a lot of trial and error, I was finally ready to launch my first merch drop and it was pretty successful. The success of the drop gave me the confidence I needed at the time and let me know that this is something I could do . Fast-forward to now a year later, and I can honestly say I love it! I design and create the apparel myself so that each item is unique. I really enjoy creating apparel that lash artists can wear on a day to day basis or even while lashing. Over the past year it has really become my passion and now a goal of mine is to eventually take a step back from lashing clients and create lash apparel full time.

Leola , 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 have been in the lash industry for about eight years. Doing eyelash extensions was never the plan I wanted to do facials once I became a licensed esthetician however once I got my license I applied for a lash artist position at a lash company for the hell of it and got hired. During the first week of training I feel in love with doing lashes and being able to make women feel beautiful and I knew that lashes were it for me. I have always been an artsy person so it’s no surprise my career is something that involves me creating some kind of art.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source for new clients for me has been Instagram. I’ve been using it from the time I started my business. Now a days potential clients like to see your work before booking, it’s not like the older days when you would just book the appointment. Instagram is a great source to use showing pictures of your work and now videos are a big thing so even reels can be a good tool to grab your target audience attention. When posting on your Instagram you can also use hashtags for your local area so that clients can find you. For example I will use the hashtag #conroelashes or #conroelashtech. I have had many clients of mine tell me they have found me through Instagram hashtags when looking for a lash artist in the area. Instagram can also be a great way to use word of mouth when clients post selfies and tagging you so everyone knows where they got their lashes. There are many sources out there that can help grow your clientele, you just have to figure out which one works best for you.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I think of a time I had to pivot in my life the first thing that comes to mind is when I became a mom. In 2020 I had my son and my life as I knew it changed forever. I was so ready to be a mom that when he was born I thought it would be easy and I would just walk into motherhood like a piece of cake. Man was I wrong the adjusting period was tough and being a mom and a business owner is not for the weak let me tell ya. Now that I was a mom I had to do things differently then I did prior to having my son I didn’t have the same free time I had before. In the beginning it was difficult trying to balance being a mom and running a business. There were days I was so sleep deprived from having a new baby at home. When my son would sleep I had to choose between sleeping myself because I could use the rest or take that time to get things done that I needed to. To be honest that is still an ongoing battle today and he is almost two years old. With being a mom I also had to adjust my work schedule I could not work as late into the evenings as I use to or just come in to work earlier or on my days off. While there were many changes I had to make with becoming a mom I wouldn’t change any of it for the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bewitching-lashes.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewitchinglashes/?hl=en

Image Credits
KCL Photography