Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Monique Marsh. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Monique thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you have any thoughts about how to create a more inclusive workplace?

Surprisingly, I grew up in the most diverse city in the world, Toronto, Canada; I witnessed my mother create an inclusive, safe space for women of all races with the same challenges in the beauty industry to come together and create success. That exposure to women from all walks of life coming together and supporting one another is what I applied to THELASHBRAND. I soon realized that I only wanted to see this for the future of women who weren’t exposed to that usually. No matter your background, that inclusivity makes Thelashbrand so unique and it will never change.

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

The lash industry was new when I started in Toronto, Canada, in 2011. My entrepreneur mother raised me in the beauty industry and created her own successful company that I admired. Shockingly, I wasn’t interested in the beauty industry; I was passionate about becoming an architect, but I was learning everything I saw my mother do unintentionally. I fell into the lash industry, fell in love with the concept, and decided to pursue it full-time. Once I grasped the techniques, mastered them, and created my lash design and methods, I became a judge for competitions, a speaker, recognized internationally and highlighted in industry magazines. During this time, I was in demand to learn how I provided my editorial work. Many individuals travelled to Toronto to learn my techniques, and I had a large audience in the USA. I quickly realized I could genuinely change more women’s lives and help them create their own identities with this new skill. I expanded THELASHBRAND to the USA and wanted to bring inclusivity and focus on excellence. My ultimate mission was to develop other beauty moguls and leaders in the lash industry just like myself for future generations. During these 10+ years in the lash industry, THELASHBRAND has a flagship location of specialists, an Academy, a Studio, Pro Shop and growing internationally. It’s been a wild and super-fulfilling ride!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Almost three years ago, Covid disrupted my physical ability to work due to not being considered an essential worker. Many quit the industry, but I committed to holding everything I have built no matter what. During this time, I got an opportunity of a lifetime to expand my business to the USA, and I moved weeks later without hesitation. Yes, a few weeks with 2 suitcases and not knowing what to expect. In one year, I opened THELASHBRAND flagship location, started our product line and partnered up with the best specialists in the city with zero guidance or knowledge of America and ZERO financial credit. I’ve been told that I made the impossible possible.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

This is one of my favourite aspects of what I do because I love people and enjoy learning about people. The best advice for managing a team is to lose your ego, develop great emotional intelligence and focus on everyone feeling heard and seen in how you communicate.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thelashbrand.ca
• Instagram: @thelashbrand.studios