We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shanda Fomby a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Shanda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?
There’s no perfect time than now! Divine Lux Studios began its’ journey in the spring of 2019, as a home-based business offering luxurious eyelash extension services.
My journey as a lash artist was not intentional and at the time I had no idea what eyelash extensions were. My daughter had very sensitive skin starting at a young age and I wanted to find a way to help her. Keeping this in mind I began researching schools of esthetics, but along the way stumbled upon a course for learning eyelash extensions. I thought, well this seems pretty cool and decided to enroll. After completing the eyelash extension course work and becoming licensed, I serviced clients until March 2020 when the pandemic struck.
Fast-forward through the challenges of managing a service business through the unforeseen pandemic, I have recently accomplished a long-term goal, and became a licensed esthetician. As an esthetician and lash extensionist, I interact with women from all walks of life and have had the opportunity, over the last 3 years to add a “Divine” touch to enhance their beauty within.
Looking back, I wholeheartedly believe the timing is now! I have no regrets and have no thoughts of wishing I’d started my journey as a business owner later. I believe all of my prior experiences (personally and professionally) have prepared me to be able to take on the tasks of business ownership. Earlier I would not have been mature enough, nor ready to take on the demands of entrepreneurship.
Shanda, 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 am a licensed eyelash extensionist, licensed esthetician and proud owner of Divine Lux Studios serving in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area. My journey began as a licensed eyelash extension specialist after realizing my inner desire to give something to other women while making them feel beautiful and confident. After graduating from the Lavishing Lashes Academy, Divine Lux Studios opened its doors as a home-based studio; and now services clients in a private salon studio suite.
My mission is to beautify the everyday woman who’s on the go and seeking to minimize her day-to-day beauty regimen. I believe with the right lash artist and proper client aftercare, eyelash extensions are the perfect curtains to the windows of our inner beauty”. Consistency, patience and a proper daily skincare routine paired with a great skincare clinician yields beautiful and radiant skin!
I am most proud of the care and personal attention I give each client walking through those Divine Lux doors. I take pride in educating my clients from the proper skin cleansing technique to caring for their eyelash extensions after their service. I want my clients to know all there is to know about the services they receive. My ultimate goal is to provide a professional and world-class customer experience with the full suite of Divine Lux Studios beauty services!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
The pandemic crisis has left its’ mark across a plethora of businesses and industries. Some companies have become stronger in business strategy; and unfortunately, some businesses simply did not survive. As a new business owner starting in 2019, I did not know what was in store for the business I had recently opened and put so much heart into. I knew the answer was not remaining in a home-based posture, and at the time I did not believe the business could withstand the overhead of renting a salon suite.
After closing the doors for 7 months, I came to the crossroad of deciding whether to dissolve the business or open the doors again. After thoughtful consideration of my family, dreams, goals, aspirations, and client impact I decided to stay the course! By overcoming the fear of increased overhead expense, today my clientele has grown and soon I will expand the service menu to include esthetic services (skincare treatments and eyebrow services). I am constantly telling the little voice inside my head “you are the boss”! This keeps my pushing towards accomplishing the goals I have set for Divine Lux Studios. There are no words to describe the gratefulness and joy I feel reflecting back to day one and thinking of all the successes I have been blessed with along the entrepreneurship journey.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Social media platforms as well as “word of mouth” referrals have been viable for new clients. However, the absolute best source for new clients, is a satisfied customer who tells friends and family about their experience. A positive experience for my clients is a top priority. In my opinion, there is no better marketing for any brand than a happy client who refers, refers, refers!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.divineluxstudios.com
- Instagram: @divineluxstudios
- Facebook: @divineluxstudios
Image Credits
@divineluxstudios by Shanda Fomby