There’s a common misconception that when you become a business owner, everything will magically be perfect. Don’t fall for it. There is nothing magical about being an entrepreneur. Owning your own business is hard.

But with every lesson I’ve learned, I’ve become stronger. I don’t want you to have to learn all these lessons through trial and error like me. I’m hoping you can learn from my roller-coaster of a journey and skip all the messy stuff on your own journey. So here it is, my truth:

1. You Have to Be Willing to Learn

You won’t know everything that you need to know to run a successful business. This is okay. I started my first lash salon almost seven years ago and I still don’t know everything I need to know. Everyday I’m learning. And again, that’s okay. All you have to do is be aware that you don’t know everything and be willing to learn as much as you can. You can learn from a book, from a mentor or from simply observing.

Don’t stop yourself from reaching a goal because you’re worried that you don’t know everything.

Did you know the beauty industry is the fastest growing industry?! Read more in Cosmetology Career Path: From Colorist to Lash Marketing Pro.

2. Be Prepared to Work 24/7

When you work for someone else you can leave work at work. You come into the salon or office, do your job and go home. When you’re an owner, your whole life is submerged in your business. I get calls and emails even when I’m sitting on the beach in Hawaii. I could ignore them. You know, deal with them when I get back to Arizona. But my lash salons are my babies. Could you ignore a call or email from your baby (you know if babies could call or email)? Beach side or not, babies come first!

The truth is you won’t have more time to do yoga, dance all night or be cozy on the couch with your family because your business will need you to be able survive.

3. You Won’t Be the Boss

I currently own four lash salons along with The Lash Professional and, girl, I’m not a boss. Do you know who my boss is? My clients. Yep, you read that right. I work for them. They tell me if I’m doing well or not, they tell me if I hired correctly or made a mistake, and they tell me if the lash cleanser I’ve been working on for months is the best thing ever or whether it needs more work. I answer to them. You will too. Our clients are our bosses.

4. Sometimes You Have to Be the “Bad Guy”

Being an entrepreneur and owner of lash salons, I am forced to make difficult decisions that people don’t always understand.

You may have to discipline or fire employees, end business relationships that aren’t working for you and your bottom line or make other decisions that people might not like.

You have to be okay with this because you won’t be liked by everyone, especially when you’re running your own business.

5. The Sacrifices are All Worth It

Almost every day I walk into our headquarters so grateful for the business my team and I have created. This business is worth all the difficult lessons I had to learn to get here.

Being an entrepreneur has given me the opportunity to meet amazing women who have become some of my favorite people in this whole entire world. And, what is more important than meaningful relationships?!

So, what do I want you to take away from this? Well, being an entrepreneur is hard. It is very hard! But WOW is it rewarding.

XO, VANESSA MOLICA

Curious about how to get started as a lash entrepreneur? Read our blog post on How to Build a Profitable Lash Extension Business.

Happy Thursday, lash boss!  I hope you've had a fabulous week...and haven't spent all of it in a YouTube black hole like I have.  But, I mean, can you blame me?  I love good eyelash extension videos, whether it's techniques, how to deal with clients, or supply hauls.  If you're like me, you really didn't even know that these types of channels existed until recently.  I'm going to give you the lowdown on my fave channels, so that you can soak up all the inspiration.

Would this even be a  TLP blog if I didn't toot our own horn?  While we only have one video right now (and it's great, of course), we are going to bring you the best info, straight from the experts.  We believe that the more education you have access to, the better a lash boss you'll be.  So, check out our first video about all things tweezers, and keep an eye out for more bad a*s videos.

Danielle feels like my best friend, and I've never even met her.  The info that she blesses us with is so helpful, because it covers every base.  Watch Danielle's videos if you want tips on how to edit your lash photos, retention, and even safety.  Danielle is a certified bad b*tch for sure.

All of LashBox LA's videos are narrated by their Global Education Director, Lydia.  One of the things I love is that she's all about protecting the interests of the lash artists, and helping them grow!  As I said earlier, we believe in education, so if you're looking for tips and tricks about lashing, or even how to manage your clientele, check out LashBox LA's videos.

Kari's channel makes me smile.  I love how she not only educates and gives you helpful tips and tricks, but she takes you along with her to trade shows.  Kari is a traditional YouTuber, crossed with a lash artist, and as someone who enjoys both lash videos and vlogs, I like that I don't have to choose when I'm on Kari's channel.  Her videos highlight a lot of brands, which is great, especially if you're just starting out and are on the hunt for reputable supplies.

FabuPRO gets up close and personal with lashes.  No, really.  Go watch their videos.  I love that they show actual lashing and cleansing so that we can see what real life looks like.  It's not always bomb lashes on Instagram, people!  Sometimes you'll have clients whose lashes really need to be cleaned, and FabuPRO shows you how.  I also like that they have videos about mapping techniques and even lash reveals with real clients.

The takeaway here is that there's tons of free education if you look for it!  We and our fellow lash babes put out this content for you, so you can lash so hard.  Soak it up like a sponge, baby, because there's more coming your way, especially from The Lash Professional.

It’s no secret that networking is one of the top tips for job-seekers to land opportunities. But, what about business networking?

Networks can be great for promoting your service or spreading awareness for businesses, too.

We asked eight professionals how they leverage their network to support their business. Find out what they said below.

Make connections with potential clients and partners via social media, but don’t stop there. Once you have established a relationship, let them try your products so they can see exactly what you have to offer and give you any critiques. This will help your business stand out and make new customers more inclined to revisit your services. Don't be afraid to send your products to new customers or people already in your industry, their feedback is valuable.

Vanessa Molica, The Lash Professional

Earlier this year I ran a test where I pitched to 50% of new connections. None of them turned into sales while 20% of the non-pitched group became customers. Very simply, once you pitch to someone on LinkedIn they stop listening to you. Once prospects see your name and photo connected to genuinely helpful content, they feel like they know you and are very comfortable doing business with you. I have seen this happen again and again for clients when I optimize their LinkedIn accounts.

Joni Holderman, Thrive! Resumes

I am reaching out to my network just to ask if anyone needs help, and to let people know I am happy to provide it. With the onset of the Covid-19 crisis, digital business capabilities have gone from nice-to-have to full-fledged must-have. As a consultant with digital marketing and e-commerce expertise, I am in a position to help people in my network through digital transformation so they can better weather this storm. Even if it's on a pro-bono basis, I am proactively making an effort to be helpful to members of my extended network.

Luke Grant, JLG Group

We have been leveraging our network by directly showing our followers how we can help them with the problems they have had with remote working. We pivoted our message somewhat to focus on what our network needed from us right now, and reached out and made sure they knew what we could offer.

Yaniv Masjedi, Nextiva

We recently leveraged a long-standing relationship to get an introduction to a buyer at a large organization which resulted in a successful partnership. When considering networking, we think it is important to remember that it doesn't need to feel transactional or “sales-y.” In fact, if it feels that way, it's not good networking. In our view, good networking is about learning about someone and finding out how you can provide them with value, whether that be through an introduction or the transfer of knowledge. In other words, it's about paying it forward. As it happens, being selfless like that will often organically generate opportunities for your business. 

Emma Miller, Cacao Tea Co.

To avoid ruining personal relationships, I always recommend entrepreneurs to make the requests for support as easy as possible, and not involving money. I asked my network to follow our company on social media, and at least 50% of our followers are people I personally know. This really helped us jumpstart our social media growth since we launched in mid-March. Since it only takes a second to click follow, this is the most respectful ask in my opinion.

Calloway Cook, Illuminate Labs

Sometimes a business needs capital to operate, or to get to the next stage in their business. That could mean financing equipment for their salon, or taking out a loan to cover expenses. Whatever the case, a great business referral to ask for is an introduction to a financial professional who can assist with financing. Your network almost always knows best on who can help with financing needs.

Carey Wilbur, Used Equipment Financing  

Offering to collaborate is a fantastic way to leverage your network. Find a local business that is similar to yours and willing to put on a joint event in the community will not only bring light to both companies, but it will allow you to network with those in your industry. Collaborating on giveaways or products are also ways to get both names out there and for you as an individual to network and share ideas. 

Brett Farmiloe, Local SEO Company

As stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders continue to lift, many small businesses are wondering how to re-launch after weeks of uncertainty.

For lash businesses, re-launching may prove to be a much more delicate challenge to overcome due to concerns about safety and health.

We asked seven thought leaders to share their insights. Their answers might surprise you.

The best tip when trying to reopen your lash salon is to promote safety. One of the main concerns for customers is if they visit your salon, will they be at risk for COVID-19. You want to give them as much reassurance as you can that your business is dedicated to safely making them feel their best.  Let customers know via social media, email and phone calls that you are open and implementing every state required safety measure. Doing this will ease a customer’s uncertainty and fear. 

Vanessa Molica, The Lash Professional 

I believe that the companies spending on advertising and customer experience during this time of crisis are the ones who will come out ahead. In times of need, people are hungry for information and support, and most brands have the resource to offer this to at least their customer base, if not a broader community. Invest all that you can in getting your brand's mission out there and connecting with your audience on a genuine level. It will pay off.

Gabi Donchez, Associate Director of Marketing

Gather a list of your most valuable clients (the loyal clients who have the largest visit history) and notify them about your anticipated reopening date, either through a mass text message, email or phone call. Make sure to tell them that you are prioritizing important clients as you reopen and that's why you're reaching out. They'll appreciate that you are prioritizing them and you'll make them feel special.

Danielle Cohen-Shohet, GlossGenius

When planning to re-open your lash salon, make sure that you have a budget centered around COVID-19 costs. Salons are going to need to have disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizers, gloves and masks in large amounts. These are costs that did not necessarily exist on the same level before the pandemic but they are now crucial to factor in. In order to be successful, lash salons have to prepare for extra costs. 

Brett Farmiloe, Digital Marketing Company

This is the best time to get organized and build a strategy. Maybe it's a re-evaluation of your website or preparing a series of articles to post on a future blog. Maybe it's laying out a social media strategy and designing three months’ worth of future postings. Is your logo outdated? Now would be a good time to go through the process of a rebrand without disrupting the day-to-day.

Rebecca Longawa, Happy Warrior

All of the projects that you didn't have time to do when you were busy with other stuff. Do something that lets your customers know that you are thinking of them during this difficult time. Remember, it’s not about you, it’s about them. Show empathy. That will prepare you best for when you are ready to open the doors. They will remember how you made them feel.

Thomas Ahern, Embark Behavioral Health

A crisis like these gives us the opportunity to be creative and analyze how you can improve your business or expand in new ways to provide virtual services. Staying in touch with your clients and strengthening the relationship will be a key factor in focusing your priorities to meet your clients’ needs when things return to normal.

Lucina Zazueta, Bumkins

In most states, beauty businesses are once again up and operating. However, opening their doors in the midst of a pandemic comes with a whole new set of challenges. 

We asked six thought leaders what they are doing to prepare for a successful re-opening. 

Read on to find out how they are making the most of the situation.

Re-opening your beauty business is an exciting and equally scary thing. Depending on the size and space of your business, it might be time to declutter. Extra chairs, tables and other decorative pieces could be taking up extra space that needs to be used so people can social distance safely. One of the best tips is to only keep equipment that you absolutely need in order to operate – everything else can go in the back closet for now. 

Vanessa Molica, The Lash Professional

We started thinking about our reopening long before we were given the green light which helped us when it came time for our doors to open. We began by looking at what other cities had done that were ahead of our reopening plan. Installing plexiglass at reception, ensuring all our lash beds were at least 6 feet apart, adding plastic bins under each bed that were easy to disinfect for our clients’ personal belongings. We made masks mandatory for staff and clients. If a client is entering our shop, we are charging a small surcharge for masks to cover our overhead. We require clients to use hand sanitizer upon arrival and send out an automated Covid-19 waiver to ensure our staff’s safety.

Jessica Lapuz, OutLash Beauty Boutique

With places slowly returning to a new normal, making sure that clients and customers remain in the loop about any changes is a crucial part of the process. Updating your customers on the precautions in place, how you’re taking clients differently, any exciting promos with the grand reopening, and anything else you might want to let your customers know should be done in a fun yet informative way.

Nate Masterson, Maple Holistics

When you're scheduling appointments, focus on existing client relationships first. Gather a list of your most valuable clients (the loyal clients who have the largest visit history) and notify them about your anticipated reopening date, either through a mass text message, email or phone call. Make sure you have enough personal protective equipment (PPE) and remind clients of your policies before they come in.

Danielle Cohen-Shohet, GlossGenius

Make it easy for your clients and partners to reach out and proactively communicate. This includes sharing what exact steps you are taking to make your environment as safe as possible. Be a good listener; understand what's working and what's not and don't be afraid to evolve as needed.

Lynn Power, MASAMI

Budgeting is going to be crucial when re-opening your beauty business. On top of the fact that business may not resume to full capacity right away, there are now going to be new safety measures that cost extra money. Sitting down and projecting costs for things like masks, plexiglass and gloves is going to you better balance income once you officially re-open. 

Brett Farmiloe, Startup SEO Company

After months out of the office due to COVID-19, businesses are trying to reconnect their teams and maintain relationships after much time out of the office. 

We asked eight thought leaders how they are going about rekindling their team's workflow now that places are re-opening.

Their answers will inspire you to do the same.

As eager as everyone will be to get back into the office and get back into the swing of things, it is imperative that businesses take a few days to breathe and feel out the new normal. As a team, when you enter the office again, take the first few days to just sit and talk. Allow space for people to flush out their feelings, frustrations or any other concerns they might have about coming back to work. Once that is done, allow your team time to bond and reconnect. There shouldn’t be a huge rush straight back into work.

Vanessa Molica, Lash Professional

Even the most effective team is only as strong as its members. That’s why one of the most important things you can do to reconnect your team after this period of isolation is to check in with everyone individually. Talk to everyone and address any concerns about their health (mental or otherwise), as well as the process of returning to work. Meeting with your team is also a great way of catching up with them and rebuilding relationships.

Lauren McAdams, Resume Companion

After businesses have reopened and people are allowed to work in the office again, you may organize activities that can help reconnect your team after months of being away from each other. Just make sure that in the execution of these activities, the proper physical distancing would continue to be observed and everyone will be wearing their facemasks to avoid possible contraction of the virus.

Lewis Keegan, SkillScouter.com

Understand that things have changed for both yourself and your team, whether you like it or not. The way that you react and lead in this time will bring your team closer together or push them farther apart. Be sure that you are promoting an open environment where everyone is free to speak their mind and how they are feeling in private or in meetings. With all of the changes and differences, some people are going to feel uncomfortable and it is important that they feel safe enough to talk about it free of judgement.

Sanem Ahearn, Colorescience

One of the most important ways to connect with people is to listen to them, and reflect back what you heard so they know you are listening. Schedule meetings to make sure your staff has what they need to get going, because things may have changed with the way you do business. Needless to say, the world has changed, people have varied feelings and emotions and will need time to adjust to being back to work when things are different in their lives. When people know you care, and they feel safe, they will be much more motivated to get back to work.

Lynell Ross, Zivadream

The sudden shift to telecommuting and mandated social distancing has thrown a wrench in peoples' fitness routines. Set a company fitness goal together and engage in weekly group activities together to help achieve those fitness goals. You can start running groups, office yoga sessions, after-work hikes, train for a marathon, or even join a recreational sports team.

Datis Mohsenipour, Outback Team Building & Training

My advice for how you may reconnect with your team after reopening your business is take some time to collectively discuss creating a vision statement for your business. A vision statement is not the same concept as a mission statement. Mission statements state what the business is/does and what they have to offer today. A vision statement, however, seeks what the business hopes to become and aspires to accomplish on an ongoing basis. Time spent away will allow your team to return with fresh ideas and thoughts about your business can act as a catalyst for change. Start by crafting a vision statement that is transparent and inclusive to one and all.

Deborah Sweeney, MyCorporation

Depending on the size of your staff, and making sure you are following social distancing guidelines,  a team retreat is a great idea to reconnect. It could be a day trip to the lake or even an overnight campout –just something away from the stress of the office. Before rushing back into work, employees need a chance to debrief and feel comfortable around one another. 

Brett Farmiloe, SEO for Training Companies

I know we’ve all wondered whether we would be making more money in our lash career given we were doing the OPPOSITE of what we are doing now… “To be an Independent lash artist or a contracted lash artist?” that is the question! Of course, the answer to that will vary depending on your individual situation, but I figured I would lay out all the facts, so you could decide what is the right choice FOR YOU!

Working for your self sounds great doesn’t it? You can create your own schedule based off your daily routine and needs- especially if you have kids! Can you imagine, stress free pick-ups and drop offs to daycare/school. Not only can you pick your schedule, but you can pick everything including policies and services offered. When working for yourself and running your own business, you truly have the freedom to tailor everything to your liking and beliefs! You also get all the money you make; no giving up a percentage to “the man”. Going this route can be so rewarding for your lash career!

It all sounds full proof, right?! Well, there are a few cons to consider as well. When you work for yourself, you don’t reap the benefits- literally. No one is there to set up benefits for you! You also must take into consideration that you will never get a day off. You may not be lashing on Fridays, but you will have people reaching out to you 24/7, including Fridays (which by the way you should never take as an “off” day because it’s a huge money-making day!).

Another thing that people forget to tell you about running your own business is the start up costs. The State will usually charge an arm and a leg just for you to have a business license – which if I am not mistaken is required in all states to take money for a service. Depending on the state in which you practice, you may also need a SALON license, as well as, a tax I.D… Not only are these things pricey, but they are time consuming. Startup and overhead costs don’t stop there either, they go on and on (I would list but you get the point, EXPENSIVE!)

After reading those cons, I can bet that working under someone is sounding pretty good, huh? I can see why it would! Generally, you will receive benefits as a full-time employee. You won’t have to pay any start up fees or have any overhead costs! There are most times a receptionist designated to manage the schedule for you, too! Sounding like a better and better choice for your lash career I bet…

Unfortunately, as with all things, there are some cons to going this route too. Working as a contracted lash artist means exactly that; you’ve signed a contract. Most salons will have you sign some form of contract that will, mire times than not, included a non-compete. Be sure to read everything thoroughly if you choose to work at a lash salon! Breaking a non-compete can result in you owing money or legal action. Being contracted also means that there are a set of rules or standards that you are expected to uphold, and they won’t always adhere to what you believe or think.

A lot of scary information, I know. Just make sure when you decide what will work best with your life style, you consider all pros and cons and decide accordingly! And if you are leaning toward being independent, make sure to find a brand that works well with your allotted overhead budget! Check out our high quality yet affordable products.