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

Alright, NATALIA thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

What does success mean? Does it mean more money, more fame, being a star? For me, success means the recognition of my merits as an entrepreneur, of the years of hard work, of the experience gained in 12 years in the lash extension industry, of the trust my students from courses and my clients have in me.To be successful, it takes a combination of factors such as passion, dedication, hard work, resilience, and continuous learning. Passion is the driving force behind success, as it fuels motivation and perseverance during challenging times. Dedication involves committing fully to your goals and putting in the necessary effort consistently. Hard work is essential, as success rarely comes without putting in the hours and effort required to achieve your objectives. Resilience is crucial in overcoming obstacles and setbacks that are inevitable on the path to success. Being able to bounce back from failures and keep moving forward is key. Continuous learning is also vital, as staying adaptable and open to new ideas and skills is essential for growth and improvement.

Moreover, having a clear vision, setting specific goals, and staying focused are important aspects of achieving success. Building strong relationships, networking, and seeking mentorship can also provide valuable support and guidance along the way. Embracing challenges, taking calculated risks, and being willing to step out of your comfort zone are characteristics that successful individuals often exhibit. Overall, a combination of passion, hard work, resilience, continuous learning, goal-setting, focus, networking, and adaptability are key ingredients for achieving success in any endeavor.

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

I would tell you my story. At 22, I moved to another country, Romania, after college (International Relations and Political Science) I had no experience and no one would hire me anywhere. I really wanted to work and make my own money, so I could walk into a store and buy the dress I wanted, to be able to help my mom if needed, not to worry about tomorrow. I didn’t know what I could do. I was wearing lash extensions and decided to look for a place to get them done, that was my lucky moment in Romania,i didn’t find one :)) I took my first lash extension course, I thought it would be easy, what could be hard… I was wrong :)))
Hundreds of courses followed over the years, sleepless nights, I started working 12-14 hours a day, not because I was greedy or didn’t have enough money, but because I wanted to get better, I was always practicing new techniques, always striving to be the best, always wanting to bring the best for my clients.
Shortly after, I became a Lash Trainer, started teaching courses, and began teaching courses in Europe. My first group was in Spain in 2017. I won international competitions (only 1st place), became a Lash Speaker and International Lash Judge. How did I achieve such success?
I never considered myself good enough, I was always very self-critical and wanted to improve my technique, work, evolve. I was never afraid of hard work, for years I worked 12-14 hours a day, of course with sacrifices and compromises.In 2022, I created the brand Lashes Design by Nathalie, it was a challenge because I started from scratch in a new city at the age of 30, but I wanted it to be something of quality.
My clients, my students always expected me to bring something new, to inspire them, so I created our line of lash extension products and some exclusive products for clients in the Beauty industry.
You can find the products on www.lashesdesign.ro . I have developed my own line of products, aiming to prioritize quality and sustainability. This year, I created the first sustainable and vegan products, and their impact and success on the market have been colossal.

I’ am proud that after 12 years of work, I have hundreds of successful students, my own online and physical product store, two beauty salons in two major cities in Romania, two product lines in which I have invested time, passion, and research “WOW NATHALIE” and “Lashes Design by Nathalie”.
I implemented a new training program where we focus a lot on the successes of our students, they are an inspiration for them and I always support them to achieve the best results and surpass their own limits.
This year in March, we organized the WOWLASHWORKSHOP EVENT in Romania, bringing together lash technicians from Romania and abroad, offering them access to the latest techniques and innovations in the lash extension field, with the best speakers in the country.
It was amazing, beautiful, talented, and creative people, all gathered for a day of exchanging experiences, socializing, and learning. Next year will be the second edition, and we will organize an even better and more useful event because that’s what success is about, improvement, evolution, stepping out of the comfort zone, inspiring others, and being useful in the community you are in.
And I don’t stop here, we are about to launch the new project of online courses (international), I always seek to bring improvements and our team is growing. It has become a job that doesn’t involve just one person, it involves teamwork, starting from me, my partner, my employees and collaborators, suppliers, government bodies, etc.
Why has it become a successful project? Because behind it, there is passion, dedication, ambition, perseverance, sleepless nights, and surely tears on the pillow, because the road is not always smooth and straight, there are unforeseen situations that can make you want to give up, but consistency is very important. I love what I do, I love my clients, my students, the products I have created, they are pieces of my love for this profession.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Consistency, quality, and dedication have been key factors in building my reputation within the market. By consistently delivering high-quality products and services, I have been able to earn the trust and loyalty of my customers and students. This has helped me establish a strong brand presence and a positive reputation that sets me apart from competitors.

Additionally, my passion for what I do and my commitment to continuous improvement have played a significant role in building credibility and trust within the market. I always strive to innovate, learn, and adapt to the changing needs of my audience, which has allowed me to stay relevant and competitive in the industry.

Furthermore, building strong relationships with my team, partners, suppliers, and customers has been crucial in establishing a solid reputation. By fostering open communication, mutual respect, and collaboration, I have been able to create a supportive network that contributes to the success of my business.

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

Unlearning the habit of always saying “Yes” . Initially, saying “Yes” to every request or opportunity seemed like the path to success and approval. However, I soon realized that this approach led to overcommitment, burnout, and a lack of boundaries. To break free from this pattern, I had to reevaluate my priorities, values, and goals.

I learned to embrace the power of saying “No” when necessary, setting clear boundaries, and prioritizing my well-being. By unlearning the need to please everyone, I gained a sense of empowerment and control over my time and energy. This shift allowed me to focus on what truly matters and invest my resources in activities that align with my goals and values.

An example from my career was when my phone was constantly ringing, clients, students, everyone wanted appointments specifically with me, and I wanted to please everyone, I wasn’t thinking about money, but about the human factor, because I couldn’t say NO. At the end of the day, I was exhausted, I didn’t have the energy to socialize with my partner, with my family, because I had said Yes too many times and I was overwhelmed. This is something I am still working on.

Through practice and self-reflection, I gradually replaced the urge to always say “Yes” with the ability to make intentional choices that serve my best interests. Unlearning this ingrained behavior has been liberating, empowering, and essential for my personal growth and overall well-being.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lashesdesign.ro/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lashesdesignbynathalie?igsh=c3FrbzkwNHFrcDNr&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natasha.sirbu.7
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalia-s%C3%AErbu-7618a5b2?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@LashesDesignbyNathalie?si=OI3yGV8Am5GnBgWo
• Other: TIK TOK https://www.tiktok.com/@nathalienatalia13?_t=8m7YUtJEawa&_r=1