We recently connected with Lynn Schuster and have shared our conversation below.

Lynn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

One of the defining realizations in my career wasn’t a single dramatic moment, but rather a gradual shift in how I viewed my role in the beauty industry. For many years, I worked primarily as a service provider—helping clients feel beautiful and confident through eyelash and brow services. That work is still something I deeply love. The quiet moments in the treatment room, the trust clients place in you, and the transformation they feel afterward are incredibly meaningful.

Over time, though, I also felt a strong pull toward education. I began teaching continuing education courses for licensed professionals and mentoring others who were interested in expanding their skills. What I discovered was that teaching energized me just as much as working with clients. I loved helping other beauty professionals grow their confidence and build sustainable careers of their own.

For a while, I felt pressure to choose one path or the other—either be a service provider or be an educator. But the defining shift in my mindset was realizing that I didn’t have to limit myself to one role. My heart is genuinely in both places. The work I do behind the chair keeps me connected to the real experiences of clients, and teaching allows me to share that knowledge with others in the industry.

That realization also led me to think more about community. Instead of building a business that revolved around just one person or one service, I wanted to create spaces where professionals could learn, collaborate, and support each other. My studio has grown into a tranquil, plant-filled environment that is shared with other women-owned wellness businesses, and I’ve expanded my educational offerings for beauty professionals seeking advanced training and continuing education.

That same philosophy is what inspired the retreat I’m currently developing. I believe beauty professionals—and really anyone in a helping profession—benefit from stepping away from the daily pace of work to reconnect with creativity, learning, and community.

If there’s a lesson in that journey, it’s that your career doesn’t have to fit into one narrow definition. Sometimes the most fulfilling path is allowing your work to grow in the directions that genuinely inspire you.

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

I’m the owner of ECHO Lash & Brow, a tranquil, plant-filled studio designed to feel calming, restorative, and intentional from the moment you walk in. I share the space with other women-owned wellness businesses, and together we’ve created an environment that feels more like a collective than a traditional salon—something that reflects my belief that beauty and wellness go hand in hand.

I found my way into this industry through a genuine love of detail-oriented, hands-on work and a desire to help people feel like themselves—just a little more elevated and cared for. Lash and brow services are unique in that they’re both technical and artistic, and I was drawn to that balance right away. Over time, what started as a service-based career evolved into something much broader.

In addition to working with clients, I offer continuing education courses for licensed cosmetologists and estheticians. I’m especially passionate about supporting beauty professionals in building confidence, refining their skills, and creating sustainable careers. Education allows me to have an impact beyond my own treatment room, which has been incredibly meaningful.

The services I provide are focused on enhancing natural features—things like lash extensions, lash lifts, and brow treatments that simplify a client’s routine while still feeling like them. Many of my clients are looking for low-maintenance beauty, or a moment of rest in an otherwise busy life. I always want people to leave feeling not only more confident, but also more relaxed than when they arrived.

For my students, the “problem” I’m helping solve is often a lack of confidence or clarity in their skills. The beauty industry can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to stand out or expand your services. My approach to education is very supportive and grounded in real-world experience—I want students to feel capable, prepared, and inspired, not intimidated.

What sets my work apart is the combination of environment, intention, and community. Whether someone is coming in as a client or a student, I want them to feel like they’re stepping into a space that is thoughtful, welcoming, and aligned with a slower, more intentional pace. That philosophy has also led me to expand into hosting the first annual Women’s Wellness Retreat—creating space outside of the traditional classroom where beauty and wellness professionals can step away from their daily routines to learn, recharge, and reconnect with their creativity and purpose.

What I’m most proud of is the community that has grown around this work—both within the studio and through my education programs. The retreat is a natural extension of that, bringing people together in a more immersive way to share knowledge, experiences, and support.

If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s that my work is rooted in care—care for the client experience, care for the industry, and care for the people I’m teaching and collaborating with. Whether someone is visiting the studio, taking a course, or attending a retreat, the intention is always the same: to create a space where people feel supported, inspired, and genuinely taken care of.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My Colleague, my partner, the other half of my brain. We each have our own separate beauty wellness businesses. She is an Advanced Practice Esthetician. She provides amazing self care services that are restorative and results driven. Her philosophy is in using the best products and techniques that are effective in triggering your body’s own healing response rather than harsh chemicals. The results are incredible. Without invasive downtime. She also has a huge love for plants and passion for elevating other women.

Our paths crossed at Esthetics College where we were both instructors. I was pivoting, to add educating more frequently into my schedule of client services. She was a full time educator wanting to add client services into her routine. It just made sense that she join me in my existing studio space. She began a service providing business while balancing instructing up and coming estheticians, and I took on teaching eyelash services to those students in training. Together, independently, we supported each other through growing parallel branches to our businesses.

We were supporting each other, encouraging each other, and inadvertently building community. Over time our community grew. We included more independent providers in the beauty & wellness industry who also cherished supportive community and affinity for plants. Massage therapy, hair styling, yoga & reiki, skin care, lashes & brows, permanent makeup….. And so our collective begun.

Any advice for managing a team?

One of the biggest things I’ve learned about “managing” a team—especially in a shared, independent business model—is that you’re not really “managing” people in the traditional sense. You’re creating an environment where people feel respected, supported, and genuinely excited to show up.

Because everyone in our space runs their own business, autonomy is really important. At the same time, community doesn’t happen by accident—it has to be nurtured. I focus on open communication, mutual respect, and making sure everyone feels like their voice matters. Simple things like checking in, celebrating each other’s wins, and creating opportunities to connect go a long way in maintaining high morale.

I also believe that the physical environment plays a big role. Our space is intentionally calming, plant-filled, and thoughtfully designed, which naturally sets the tone for how people feel when they walk in—both clients and providers. When people feel good in a space, it reflects in their work and their interactions with others. (Big shout out to Andi who is the premiere decor visionary in our collective!)

Another important piece is alignment. The people who are part of our collective value similar things—care, professionalism, growth, and a supportive atmosphere. When those core values are shared, it creates a strong foundation where collaboration feels natural rather than forced. We are all aspiring toward a common goal.

And finally, I think leading by example matters. Approaching the work with care, staying grounded, and being willing to support others without competition helps create a culture where people feel safe to grow.

That same philosophy is something I’m continuing to expand through my education programs and upcoming retreat—creating spaces where beauty and wellness professionals can connect, feel supported, and be reminded that they don’t have to build their careers alone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.Echo-Lash.com
• Other: https://www.echo-lash.com/event-details/womens-wellness-weekend-retreat