Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tiffany Schaefer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Tiffany, thanks for joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

This is an interesting question, I think about it all the time. I thought by beginning to run my own business I could work as little as I wanted, creating my own schedule. Now, with determination I want to be invested as much as possible into it whether that is mentally or physically involved. Would I want to change my life and work a 9-5 so I can come into work and leave with no worries at the end of my shift? I definitely have pondered this question. However, my staff, my clients, and my support system, make me stop my thought right there. I would never trade the world for any of those amazing people. Coming into work everyday although might be stressful and long hours, are just beyond worth it. To see the excitement and joy I bring to my clients when I enhance their beauty. To see my beautiful staff, their uplifting energy and their ability to put a smile on my face even on the toughest days! My amazing support system, including my mother who is more than a helping hand to my business, my friends/family and all my business mentors I have came to for advice. Without any of them I would have not been able to mold my business to the way it is. It is much more than that, making people happy has become a true passion of mine and the best way I can achieve that is through my business – customized to how I can make a small difference is someone’s life daily.

Tiffany, 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 this industry in the midst of going to college – thinking it was to complete some type of degree in healthcare. I knew I wanted to help people but I did not know what my purpose was to do so. I was currently getting my own eyelash extensions done and oh boy did it make me feel beautiful. My eyelash technician totally convinced me to take a one-on-one training course with her. I was awful at first, I mean awful. I left my training assuming I would never be able to accomplish this skill. However, eyelash extensions were a new beauty service, and all of my friends were more than interested. I started taking clients from a room in my mom’s house in 2018. Most of my clients had zero clue on what this new service entailed but were more than thrilled to have beautiful long lashes. With cheap pricing and plenty of practice I started to dramatically increase my skill. I then attended beauty school at Vici Capelli and earned my Esthetician’s license. (Only a 4 month course). From there I moved to a salon suite. Here I started eyelash extension training myself, taking one-on-one students. After building up more clientele I knew I wanted more. I then moved to the back of a barbershop to provide more space for myself. This is where I hired my first subcontractor, Emily. I trained Emily to do eyelash extensions and became her mentor until she progressed into a fabulous lash artist. It was then like an addiction, I wanted to keep growing, reaching goals, succeeding. We found a craigslist ad for a cute little Salon space and we moved to there shortly after. It was not long before I hired/trained a few more lash artists. We kept expanding to make room for a bigger team. Now here we are, I have almost a full service salon. I perform eyelash extensions, eyelash lifts and tints, facials, full body/facial waxing, microblading/ micro shading (which I took a course in Chicago for), tattoo removal, eyebrow lamination. My staff includes Emily, Vanessa, Lizbet, Halle, Callie, Shelby, Roma, Kate and her bridal beauty team. Among the services I perform, we offer spray tanning, teeth whitening, tooth gems, nails, and hair/makeup styles. I think that my amazing team creates a safe space for our clients. That sets us a apart from any other salon, coming together as one and having a fun/laughter filled experience. We can relax and talk about your deepest darkest secrets or joke around and make work feel like were just “hanging out” with our friends. We are defined as a fine line in between professionalism and becoming a family between our staff and clients. I would not want it any other way! Next step is moving to our new location and having a stand alone building all to ourselves. Very excited to see where we go from here.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

I would not say “near death moments” for my business. However, I have been discouraged plenty of times throughout the past 5 years I have owned Eye Candy. Unhappy clients, a bad review, how to set boundaries and create the best environment has been something I have always been very intimidated by. Everything has been more than a learning experience for me. I often go to business owners and ask for their advice on how to deal with certain situations. Sometimes I do not always make the right call but I definitely do the best that I can. What is important to me, is that I accommodate everyone to my best of my ability and grow from there! Although, some situations may feel like setbacks it has been very beneficial. Every moment and instance that happened has built the foundation of the company today. Making sacrifices and taking risks will lead you down a path to success!

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I have tried everything in the book. Social media posts and paid advertising. I stopped at nearby businesses and dropped off business cards. Offered free services to individuals who promoted and blasted my business in a positive light. Kept my lash extensions perfect at every moment so whereever I go people compliment me and I hand them a business card. Joining facebook community pages and sharing our service specials and business location. Creating giveaways to gain more social media followings and get new clients in the door. Joining a side gig to network myself with people outside of my friends/family. Doing popup events at a mall or fair. I even created flyers drove around and dropped them at people’s homes. Initially, word of mouth got my clientele booming “everyone and their mother” wanted to try the new eyelash extensions. Now, for me my biggest attraction yet was google reviews! I set up a competition with my team to see who could receive the most reviews every month. Putting our salon higher on the search list when you type in one of our services has gotten so many new faces inside the door!

Contact Info:

• Website: eyecandymke.com
• Instagram: Eyecandymke
• Facebook: Eye Candy MKE

Image Credits
Mark Malec Photography