I didn’t originally come up with the idea to do a beauty vending machine. I knew it was being done in other areas, but I knew it wasn’t being done where I resided. I wanted to give people a product where I didn’t have to be involved. They could pick the product that they liked and go on about their day. In today’s society, people like convenience. After months of conducting research on the best vending machines, locating where to get vending machines from in my area, finding the best beauty products, ordering products, and having family members give me feedback, coming up with a name and logo, I knew I was ready to purchase my vending machine, get it remodeled, and start my journey.

I got into the beauty industry because I wanted to make people feel confident. It doesn’t matter what age you are, what your beliefs are, or what color you are. Everyone wants to feel beautiful. I also wanted to make the process of getting my eyelash products fast, dramatic, and fun for the consumer. I sell mink strip eyelashes, but they dispense out of a vending machine. You can pick the size, color, or shape of the eyelashes you want, pay with any form of payment, and the eyelashes will dispense right to you. They can be put on in 5 seconds and taken off in 5 seconds – in the car, at your desk at work, or in an airport. I’m most proud of myself for starting this process using my own funding and not knowing how things would turn out. I was afraid people wouldn’t like the idea, but as soon as I started, people thought it was unique. They would tag me in photos and videos of them at the mall, buying my lashes out of my vending machines. I’m proud of myself for never giving up, no matter how hard things became – from having trouble finding a location for my vending machines to losing money because the machines had to be fixed or I ran out of lashes and couldn’t order more at the time. I never gave up and always found a solution to every obstacle that came my way.

A lesson that I had to unlearn is thinking you need to do everything yourself when it comes to your business. This is not correct. It’s okay to ask for help because, by not doing so, you can burn yourself out early and make a lot of mistakes that could have been avoided from the beginning. You can’t do everything on your own when there are only 24 hours in a day. Additionally, you don’t want to limit yourself as a business owner.

I had to pivot and figure out things when I tried to balance being a business owner and a mom. It’s difficult when you’re trying to be a great parent, provide your children with everything they want and need, and make sure they are mentally okay. You also have to put that energy into your business. I know many people look at it as impossible, but there is a balance. Prioritizing, being organized, getting assistance, or simple things like using a calendar or writing down notes can make a significant difference.