Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sonya Raubeson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sonya, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
In 2016, I experienced a loss that shattered my heart – the loss of my beloved son Chase. In the midst of that pain, I found a way to channel my grief into something positive – Eye Love Beauty. Chase’s legacy of passion for pursuing dreams and his memory are the foundation of everything we do. We honor his legacy with the corporate name of Chase Passion LLC and the hashtag #ChasePassion, a reminder to keep chasing your passions and dreams.
Eye Love Beauty is not just a beauty business; it’s a space of healing and connection. Our mission is to “touch, influence and inspire others through beauty,” and that mission is rooted in serving others. We regularly host women events for other women-owned small businesses, mentoring and networking, and even health-screening events with our partner, HerScan, which offers ultrasound breast screening. We believe that beauty is not just about external appearances, but also about nurturing the inner self.
As a self-funded and debt-free business, Eye Love Beauty has given me the freedom to be present with my loved ones and pursue my passion for serving others. It has become a living way to honor Chase’s legacy of passion, and I am grateful for that opportunity every day.
The global pandemic was a challenging time for all businesses, but Eye Love Beauty was able to persevere thanks to the love and devotion of our guests. We adapted to the changing times by offering virtual consultations and curbside pick-up services, but we never lost sight of our mission to serve others. We knew that now more than ever, our guests needed a space of beauty, healing, and connection.
Looking back on this journey, I am struck by the power of gratitude, love, and service. By serving others, we not only help them but also help ourselves. Eye Love Beauty has allowed me to channel my grief into something positive and meaningful, and I am honored to share that positivity with our guests.
As I reflect on the journey of Eye Love Beauty and the profound impact it has had on my life and the lives of others, I find myself drawn to the idea of leaving a lasting legacy. A legacy that continues to embody the spirit of #ChasePassion and serves our community in a meaningful and solution-based way. This is why I am excited to introduce HouseHippo as the next chapter of my entrepreneurial journey.
HouseHippo is a solution-based property specialist business that aims to address the unique challenges faced by homeowners and property investors in our community. Just as Eye Love Beauty served as a space for healing and connection, HouseHippo will serve as a pillar of support for those seeking guidance and assistance in the realm of property.
As a woman-owned and family-operated local business, HouseHippo represents the continuation of the legacy I have built with #ChasePassion. It is a testament to the resilience, determination, and devotion that have guided me throughout my entrepreneurial journey.
Just as Eye Love Beauty created a community of support and inspiration, HouseHippo will foster the same sense of connection. We will continue to prioritize mentoring and networking opportunities for other women-owned small businesses, uplifting and empowering one another to achieve greatness.
As I embark on this new endeavor, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude and love. Gratitude for the experiences and lessons learned through Eye Love Beauty, and love for the community that has supported me along the way. I am excited to carry the torch of #ChasePassion into HouseHippo and build upon the foundation of service, integrity, and dedication that has been established.
HouseHippo will be my legacy, a testament to the power of following one’s passion, embracing challenges, and serving the community.
Sonya, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
A specialist with over 20 years experience in the beauty industry, I’m a licensed cosmetologist, multiple certified Master Aesthetician, Master Lash & Volume Lash Artist and seasoned educator. I was a Master Volume Lash Conference Award winner in both 2020 and 2021.
Along with the tools in my beauty belt, I’ve also completed NLP certification for Life and Business coaching as well as a Women’s Entrepreneurship program at Cornell and most recently an Entrepreneurship program at FSU JMI.
I’ve has been a featured expert in publications such as The Colorist, OK! Magazine, Parade Magazine, and Modern Salon.
I founded Eye Love Beauty as a way to hold and heal my heart while offering beauty and solace to other women. It became a living partnership with my late son, a way to honor his memory and impact lives every day. At Eye Love Beauty, we offer a wide range of beauty products and services designed to enhance both inner and outer beauty. Our services include personalized skincare consultations, rejuvenating facials, relaxing massages, professional makeup application, and more. We carefully curate our product selection to ensure that our guests have access to high-quality, cruelty-free, and environmentally conscious beauty solutions.
One of the core problems we solve for our clients is providing them with a space of self-care and healing. Many of our guests come to us seeking respite from their busy lives, a moment of relaxation and rejuvenation. Our expert team is dedicated to crafting personalized experiences tailored to their individual needs, creating a safe and nurturing environment where they can feel truly pampered.
My newest entrepreneurial venture, HouseHippo is a specialized home buying company that focuses on addressing problem property situations. We understand that owning a distressed property can be overwhelming and burdensome for many homeowners. That’s where HouseHippo steps in to provide practical solutions.
Our team of experts is experienced in handling various property challenges, including properties in disrepair, foreclosure, inherited homes, or those burdened with liens. We work closely with distressed property owners to offer fair and competitive cash solutions, allowing them to move forward with their lives without the stress and financial strain associated with problem properties.
At HouseHippo, we firmly believe that every homeowner deserves a fresh start. We take pride in our ability to provide quick and hassle-free transactions, allowing distressed property owners to turn their problem properties into much-needed cash solutions.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
A pivotal moment in my life occurred in 2016 when I faced a series of unexpected challenges that led me down a completely different path. Up until that point, I had a successful career with continued growth in the professional beauty industry. I was working for a haircare manufacturer and was passionate about the work I was doing.
However, tragedy struck when I lost my youngest child. The grief was overwhelming, and it completely shifted my perspective on life and what truly mattered to me. Five weeks later, another blow came when my employer laid me off. It felt like the world had turned upside down, and I was faced with uncertainty and a deep longing for meaning and purpose.
In response to these challenging circumstances, I made a courageous decision. Despite having little to no connections in the area, no concrete business plan, and no funding, I decided to start a service-based business that would honor my son’s memory and allow me to create a space of healing and beauty for others. That’s when Chase Passion, LLC (DBA) Eye Love Beauty was born.
Starting Eye Love Beauty was a leap of faith, fueled by love and a desire to make a positive impact. It wasn’t an easy journey, but through perseverance and unwavering dedication, I transformed my vision into a thriving business. Eye Love Beauty not only became a space for women to experience beauty and healing but also a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
The success of Eye Love Beauty opened doors for me to embark on a new venture – HouseHippo. This second business is a testament to the resilience and adaptability that I discovered within myself. Despite the challenges I faced, I embraced the opportunity to help distressed property owners turn their problem properties into cash solutions.
These pivotal moments in my life taught me the power of resilience, adaptability, and the ability to turn adversity into opportunities. They have shaped the trajectory of my career and provided a deeper understanding of the importance of pursuing passion and purpose in every aspect of life.
Looking back, I am grateful for the challenges that pushed me to pivot and pursue new paths. They have not only led to the success of Eye Love Beauty but have also given rise to HouseHippo, allowing me to serve the community in even more meaningful ways. These experiences have reaffirmed my belief in the boundless potential we possess to create positive change, even in the face of daunting circumstances.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn was the notion that my expertise in the beauty industry would seamlessly translate into running and operating my own business. For many years, I had been recognized as a “beauty industry expert” due to my knowledge and experience. However, I quickly realized that being a business owner required an entirely different skill set.
The backstory behind this lesson unfolded when I started Eye Love Beauty. As someone deeply passionate about beauty and with years of experience in the industry, I felt confident in my abilities. However, I soon realized that operating and running a business demanded a level of knowledge and expertise beyond my previous professional experience.
The major shift I had to make was transitioning my mindset from being an employee to being an owner. As an employee, I had become accustomed to following protocols, adhering to established systems, and relying on others for guidance. But as a business owner, I needed to take on a new level of responsibility and be accountable for the success and growth of my venture.
I had to unlearn the idea that being an expert in the beauty industry automatically equated to being an expert in entrepreneurship. I had to embrace the fact that I still had much to learn about financial management, marketing, customer acquisition, and strategic planning.
Through this realization, I humbly acknowledged the need for ongoing learning, seeking guidance from mentors, attending business seminars, and surrounding myself with a network of experienced entrepreneurs. I actively sought to broaden my knowledge base and develop the skills necessary to thrive as a business owner.
This lesson taught me the importance of humility, adaptability, and continuous learning. It reminded me that being an expert in one area doesn’t guarantee expertise in another. It encouraged me to shift my mindset and embrace the challenges of entrepreneurship with an open mind and a willingness to learn and grow.
As I progressed on my journey as a business owner, I recognized that the unlearning process was an essential part of my growth. It allowed me to overcome limitations and develop the skills and mindset necessary to navigate the complexities of running a successful business.
In hindsight, I am grateful for this lesson as it has not only transformed me as an entrepreneur but also brought a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of business ownership. It has been a valuable reminder that success requires continuous growth, adaptability, and the willingness to unlearn and relearn along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.eyelovebeauty.net
- Instagram: @eyelovebeautycoralsprings
- Facebook: @eyelovebeautycoralsprings
- Linkedin: /sonyaraubeson
- Youtube: @eyelovebeauty8175
- Other: www.househipporealestate.com www.facebook.com/househipporealestatesolutions www.linkedincom/company/househippo