Daily Inspiration: Meet Kayla Gooden

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Gooden.

Hi Kayla, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
KayLashedMi was inspired by a broke college student (me) trying to find new ways to keep myself motivated. I studied undergrad at The University of California, Merced where I was in the middle of nowhere and everything all at the same time. My university did not have a large population of black students but there was enough of us to network within each other and provide services or products that were useful or rather inaccessible in the city of Merced. I only knew of 1 Lash tech in Merced so, I thought it would be a good idea to try it out and hopefully start a business of it. September 2019, I began watching YouTube videos on how to do volume lashes and became fascinated with the making of eyelash “fans”. Eager to start lashing, I then purchased a lash kit to start and I tried practicing after class, or in-between classes, or before BSU meeting, but I had a little too much on my plate and took a break from practicing. Six months later March 2020, COVID-19 presents itself and I decided to take advantage of our circumstances and started practicing on friends and family. Youtube University taught me most of what I know, but I eventually took a class and became certified which only made me grow so much more.

What started out as just a way to add to my school community and earn an extra income turned into a passion, stress reliever, and my baby. My business has grown so much and my skill has grown so much in just a year. I’m proud to say I started a business while finishing my last year of my undergraduate career.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
My journey so far has been a beautiful struggle honestly. I have great clients and I have not experienced a “Bad client” so they keep me going knowing that I provide a great service to people but I’ve had a lot of trial and error in products and techniques, like the brand of lashes to use or using easy fan lashes vs regular fanning lashes. My biggest challenge though is juggling two locations for my business. I recently moved to Lake Elsinore with my father where we have a shed that I’m in the middle of turning into my lash room (it is coming out beautifully) and that is literally a project; so I am doing lashes in two different cities every week and also making an hour commute. Another big obstacle I’ve had is me trying to be affordable in LA and in the lash industry. I personally feel like as a woman, we have so many expenses so I wanted to be one of the affordable services while also not selling myself short but, I have found an affordable price to comfortably conduct business at while being affordable. My end goal is to make enough money to find a space/ building for my business.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I graduated with a BA in Psychology and I am applying to Graduate programs in California for spring and/or fall terms. I want to be a LMFT and have my own practice in South La for my community to have affordable access to mental health services. In the meantime, I am volunteering at Kaiser Permanente to hopefully receive a job offer. What sets me apart from others would have to be my determination to become a successful black woman. Above all things in life I want my family and loved ones to have all they need/great health and to be a respected black woman on this earth and in my community most importantly. When I have my mindset on something, I won’t rest until I’m able to get it done no matter how long it takes, no matter how hard it is, and no matter what or who is in my way because I’ll make my own way.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I have learned a ton in just a year of dealing with Covid-19. Two of the most interesting and important lessons would be:

1. Social media needs restrictions (:/) I love me some Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat but I think it is getting out of hand. I am one who doesn’t like rules but understands the importance of rules and its a shame how much incorrect information people post, like literally nonfactual information can go “viral” which creates more ignorance a lot of the time but that’s just my opinion

2. Spend time with your loved ones and try to do different things/activities/travel!!! I love tradition but being a lot of us young and old haven’t done a lot of things and we should try with the people we love and make fulfilling memories.

Pricing:

• Hybrid Set $90
• Volume Set $95
• Mega Volume Set $110

Contact Info:

• Email: kaylashedmiest2020@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylashedmi/
• Other: https://kaylashedmi.as.me/schedule.php

Image Credits:
@Maccthashooter @ezephotography