We were lucky to catch up with Paola Rodriguez recently and have shared our conversation below.
Paola, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
My mission is to help women feel empowered, get inspired and motivated. Regarles everything just follow your dreams, do what you like, what you are passionate about. I started this journey taking a course that I could barely afford. At the beginning not everyone supported me and my business, so I doubt myself a lot. I got frustrated and cried because while I saw other people graduating from college and reaching high opportunities in their jobs. At that time I didn’t even have an apartment, we were renting a room.
I even wanted to put aside my business and look for a “real” job. It wasn’t until my own clients started giving me good reviews and expressing to me how good they felt coming to their appointments, how beautiful they feel about themselves from the inside out. It was more than a beauty service, it was a whole experience, I truly listen and care for them.
They loved my space (although it was small) but they felt comfortable and that filled me up. I proposed not to let myself get carried away by those poor thoughts again and to keep working hard to reach my goal. And so I did, 3 years later here I am with my own salon, clients and my brand.
Paola, 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?
I started in the beauty industry when I was 16 yo. My first job was as a freelancer giving out makeup and fragrance samples at events. I learned a lot over the years, although is very competitive industry. 4 years ago I decided to move from Puerto Rico to Orlando. I got a job as a beauty adviser. I liked, I also thought I loved it. But truly I wasn’t happy. I started to learn more about the retail & business part of the company and I was really happy with it, I really wanted to keep growing within the company.
September 2019 I am unjustly forced to resign my job. Scared but with faith that everything happens for a reason, I decided it was time to start with my own business. I always have love beauty so I started doing eyelash extensions. I had my first client in November. So I was little by little gaining clients until due to Covid we went on lockdown.
Most of my clients never came back, so I started again from scratch. But with a lot of dedication everything is possible. 2021 I moved to my new location, my new salon. There we founded our brand, Beauty Cave. I educated myself a lot, not only on how to make beautiful eyelashes but on the other part of the business that nobody talks about, money and time management. A lot of practice, a lot of patience and a lot of disciplined.
At Beauty Cave we offer not only lash service, but also facials/skin treatments, lip and brow services. Beauty Cave has now 3 products and our Academy, teaching the techniques the right way, were students can learn everything of the business.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
We worked on the same place when living in Puerto Rico. As the years passed and I moved to Orlando, FL we met again at work. Like me, she started her business the same year. In 2020 we decided to join and start teaching eyelash extensions classes (online). I’ve heard so many times that is not always recommended or easy to open a business with a partner, but we understand each other perfectly. Communication and respect is key. That’s how a year later we founded Beauty Cave.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Technology is so advanced that it makes many things easier for us when we talk about management and marketing of our business. Social networks play a very important role, they open many doors for us and make our business reach different people. From the beginning I managed my social network (social media) as my presentation portfolio, a clean presentation worthy of what to expect from my services. Thanks to social media I can connect with customers, I can educate, deliver important news and it is a much easier way to evaluate your business through reviews.
On the other hand, we cannot forget to connect in person, connect at events, communities, support other local businesses, offer discounts for new customers. The trick is to be creative. And last but not least, your clients will be your best presentation, offer discounts for referrals, motivate your clients to spread the word of your business. Connecting with each of the clients is essential.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://msha.ke/lashtiqueorlando/
- Instagram: @lashtiqueorlando
- Facebook: Lashtique