We recently connected with Sarah-mei Chen and have shared our conversation below.

Sarah-Mei, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today

Relating to my journey as a certified lash technician and business owner, I would do one thing differently if I were to start over today. This one thing can change the severity of challenges I will soon face during my setup,

I would put my ego aside and embrace what I am unsure of. This means practicing the service, the art of lashing, over and over again and challenging myself to deal with various scenarios until I am comfortable tackling them in a real-life setting.

When I first started, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic and I only had the opportunity to practice on my sister and my friend, both of whom had very similar lash types as they were all of Chinese ethnicity. I felt eager and impatient to start with real clients after practicing on real models, not knowing what challenges the world held against me. Clients were coming in with curly lashes, broken lashes, short lashes, and every circumstance that I had not encountered before. Each time, it took me 5 hours to troubleshoot and complete the appointment. This broke down my naive confidence and shelled me away from my ambitious goals. Encountering challenges is a part of the journey, but had I been more patient and realistic with myself, I would not have let my ego get in the way of my journey.

The moral of the story is: while it’s easy to stay within the familiar boundaries of your comfort zone, true growth comes from embracing challenges and venturing into the unknown. Be proud of your progress and remember to celebrate every small victory along the way.

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

My name is Sarah-Mei Chen, and I’m a Certified Lash Technician and Content Creator. My journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic. I was in quarantine and desired to take up a new skill with all my free time. With a passion for beauty and a desire to help people feel confident and empowered, I founded my lash studio to create a space where clients not only receive top-tier lash services but also feel valued and understood. My services include custom eyelash extensions and lash lists tailored to enhance natural beauty while prioritizing the health and safety of your lashes.

As a content creator, I specialize in producing relatable and engaging content that connects with my audience. I collaborate with brands to create authentic campaigns that resonate with viewers, especially within the beauty and lifestyle niches.

What sets me apart is my commitment to personalization and creativity—whether it’s curating a lash look that fits my client’s style or delivering content that aligns perfectly with a brand’s vision. My dual roles as a lash technician and content creator allow me to merge artistry with business, solving my clients’ needs for both beauty enhancement and creative storytelling.

I’m incredibly proud of building a business and community from the ground up. It’s been so rewarding to see my clients walk away with confidence and my content spark meaningful engagement. For anyone new to my work, I’d want them to know that I’m passionate about building genuine connections and inspiring others to embrace their unique journey.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I built my audience on social media primarily through word of mouth. Happy clients shared their experiences with friends and family, which naturally grew into a loyal and trusting community. I focused on being relatable by showing not just the polished lash results but also the behind-the-scenes moments. Whether it’s my setup process, a funny mistake, or celebrating small wins. People love seeing the human side of your work!

For anyone just starting out, my advice is to not be afraid of editing your photos. Presentation matters on social media, and a little effort in making your work visually appealing can go a long way in attracting attention. That being said, there is a fine line between professionalism and staying true to yourself. Your authenticity is what will keep people coming back. Consistency is also key. Post regularly, engage with your audience, and don’t be discouraged if growth feels slow at first. Building a genuine community takes time, but it’s so worth it.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I first started my entrepreneurship journey, I had no idea just how much trial and error it would take to run a successful business. One of the toughest moments came when I realized that the chemicals in the products I use were far more reactive to the environment than I had ever imagined. Humidity became a huge issue, and despite my best efforts, my clients were not getting the lasting results they deserved. It was heartbreaking to see the short retention of my work of art.

I had to go back to the drawing board and invest a lot of time and money in figuring out how to fix the problem. There were so many frustrating moments where I felt like I was starting over. To make things right with my clients, I gave out free sets to anyone who had been impacted, even though it was a huge financial strain.

That period taught me so much about resilience. It wasn’t just about perfecting my technique, it was about learning to face challenges head-on and staying calm to troubleshoot them, no matter how overwhelming they felt. It was also about accepting failure and stepping back up from the hole of despair.

Now, looking back, I’m so proud of how far I’ve come. It wasn’t easy, but that experience helped me grow into a better business owner and a better lash artist. And most importantly, it reminded me that every setback is just a setup for a stronger comeback.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sugarplumlashes.square.site/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZVDSJ7InthhJrAREOoYCt3PhwyMzq731nSpl609Y575bx4J5o7gWeQKhU_aem_OpbbPr4lU_wOIP1PG5Rj8g
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_sarahmeii/, https://www.instagram.com/sugarplumlashes/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmei-chen898/