We recently connected with Miri Choi and have shared our conversation below.

Miri, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

In the lash extension industry, it is common for salons to keep the information of their technicians undisclosed to customers. However, I believe that it is important for customers to know who they are getting serviced by and their level of skill. As a business owner, I understand the fear of losing customer loyalty to the technician rather than the salon, but I believe that transparency and trust are key in building a strong customer base. Additionally, I also differentiate myself from industry standards by not hesitating to train and teach my lash extension know-how and skills to technicians. Some may see this as a risk, as they may acquire my knowledge and use it against me. However, I believe that by training and elevating others to and above the industry standard, it ultimately leads to growth and success for my business.

Miri, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Miri Choi, and in 2017 I made the move to the United States from South Korea. After earning my Master’s degree in Microbiology, I began my career as a nutritionist in my home country. However, upon arriving in the US, I faced language barriers and cultural differences that made it challenging for me to continue pursuing my career. So, I decided to pursue a passion that I had held for a long time, the beauty industry. I started as a nail technician and after several years of hard work, I was able to open my own salon, LA LA LASH, and I am now working to grow my business in Atlanta.

As I have progressed from a lower position in the salon to an owner, I have gained a deep understanding of the various challenges that technicians face in terms of working conditions. I believe that by improving the environment in which my staff work, I can create a positive energy that will be felt by both my employees and customers, leading to a more pleasant and productive atmosphere.

What sets me apart from others in the industry is my focus on creating an environment where my employees can thrive. Instead of being heavily involved in day-to-day customer interactions, I work to create an environment where my staff can perform at their best. I understand that a forced smile does not lead to a genuine and positive experience for customers, but when my staff is happy and fulfilled, it leads to a better experience for everyone. The story of a restaurant owner who failed because he was too busy in the back of the kitchen, reminds me to keep an overview of the whole business, making sure all the parts are functioning well and always ask what’s next. This is an important part of my business strategy that I strive to maintain.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

When I first decided to start my own business, the first question I asked myself was “how much do I need?” I knew that in order to be successful, I would need to have a solid understanding of the size of the market in my region and an accurate estimate of the capital cost to establish my business. So, I began by conducting market research and analysis to gather this information.

Once I had a better understanding of the market and the costs involved, I set a goal for the seed money I would need to get my business off the ground. I knew that I would need to acquire this money through a combination of savings, loans, and help from my family. Setting this goal helped me to stay focused and motivated as I worked to put together the necessary funds.

I knew that in order to be successful, I would need to be realistic about my goals and find ways to save money in as many directions as possible. Many business owners acquire existing businesses in order to save money, but I knew that this would not be an option for me at the start of my first business. Instead, I searched for a vacant space that I could improve and customize myself with the help of my husband. By minimizing my initial budget in this way, I was able to make my goal more realistic and achievable.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

As a business owner in the lash industry, one of the most significant lessons I had to unlearn was that things change based on your perspective. Before becoming a business owner, I had always worked as an employee in various salons and had a certain understanding of how things worked. However, once I transitioned to the role of a business owner, I quickly realized that my perspective had changed and I had to learn to see things in a new way.

The context behind this realization is that I had always been passionate about beauty and had worked as a lash technician for many years. When I decided to open my own salon, I had a certain understanding of the industry and was confident in my abilities as a technician. However, as soon as I opened my doors, I was faced with a whole new set of challenges and responsibilities that I had never experienced before. From managing the finances and inventory to dealing with staffing and customer service, there was so much more to being a business owner than I had ever imagined.

I soon realized that the things I had learned and understood as an employee were not enough to be successful as a business owner. I had to learn to see things from a different perspective, and this meant being open to new ideas and learning new skills. I had to learn to be a more effective leader, a better manager and a more strategic thinker. By being open to new perspectives and learning from my mistakes, I was able to build a successful business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lalalashatl.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lalalashatl/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lalalashatl/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-la-lash-atlanta
• Other: Vagaro: https://www.vagaro.com/lalalash