Daily Inspiration: Meet Leena Lim

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leena Lim.

Hi Leena, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Leena:

My career began in the beauty industry, where I spent four years at a cosmetic company handling everything from branding and exhibitions to sales and product development. That experience gave me a deep understanding of the industry and a passion for helping people feel confident and beautiful.

In 2016, I became drawn to a more natural, effortless kind of beauty — minimal makeup but radiant results. Believing that eyes are the window to the heart, I started focusing on enhancing natural beauty through lashes and began my eyelash extension journey in 2017.

A few years later, I met my now-business partner, Angela, who shared the same passion and vision. It felt like fate! We officially launched our business together in 2022 and have been growing ever since.

A funny and meaningful fact; we named our salon Lily Lash & Beauty. “Lily” is my daughter’s nickname, and it also happens to be Angela’s favorite flower. It just felt meant to be a perfect symbol of our shared passion and partnership.

Angela:

I started my journey in Korea, where I learned the art of eyelash extensions. In 2017, I came to the United States and opened my own shop to begin my career here. Along the way, I met a wonderful partner, and together we opened our current store, Lily Lash & Beauty. I’m very proud and grateful to see how much we’ve grown and continue to grow steadily.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. When COVID hit in 2020, it was a really tough time for everyone — many of our clients were going through financial challenges, some were laid off, and “beauty” services naturally became less of a priority. Like many others in the industry, we felt the impact deeply. Our returning clients decreased drastically, and we had only a few new clients each week.

Of course, we were worried about our newly opened business, but we knew giving up wasn’t an option. We believed in our skills and trusted that our clients would eventually come back. Instead of waiting for things to change, we decided to use that downtime to grow — we took advanced beauty courses, attended beauty trade shows to stay updated on trends, and focused heavily on improving our social media and Yelp presence.

Looking back, that challenging period was actually a blessing in disguise. It gave us the time to reflect, improve, and strengthen our business foundation. We wouldn’t be where we are today without that experience, and for that, we’re extremely grateful.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Lily Lash & Beauty, we specialize exclusively in eyelash extensions — that’s all we do, and we take great pride in it. While many other beauty businesses offer multiple services such as nails, semi-permanent makeup, or skincare along with lashes, we’ve chosen to focus entirely on lashes because we believe true mastery comes from specialization.

Each of our clients receives a customized lash design that enhances their natural features and suits their lifestyle. On a typical day, we welcome around 20-25clients who trust us with their lashes, and that level of consistency keeps us motivated to maintain the highest standards in both quality and service.

What truly sets us apart is our dedication and precision. Our work isn’t rushed, and every set of lashes is done with artistry and care. We’re most proud of the trust and loyalty we’ve built with our clients over the years. Many of them tell us they can’t imagine going anywhere else, and that’s the best compliment we could ever receive.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Leena:
Most people (especially my clients) think I’m very outgoing and super extroverted because I’m always chatting, laughing, and making them feel comfortable during their appointments. But what might surprise them is that I’m actually a total homebody and quite introverted at heart.

I genuinely enjoy connecting with my clients and creating a warm, fun atmosphere at the salon, but when I’m off work, I love quiet time at home to recharge. It’s a nice balance — being able to bring positive energy to my clients while also finding peace in my own space.

Angela:

Many people might be surprised to know that I started this journey with almost nothing but a dream and determination. I’m grateful every day to see how far I’ve come.

Pricing:

• Classic set $100, refill within 3 weeks $65
• Natural volume : $110, refill within 3 weeks $70
• Light volume $130, refill within 3 weeks $80
• Removal $25

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lily.lashnbeauty?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/cLhCQT3cnP