Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Zarate.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jessica. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Pursuing a career within the beauty industry wasn’t something I always aspired to do, in fact, it was never in any of my future plans after graduating college. Little did I know that the beauty industry was indeed where my passion was at! In 2018, the idea to start my own business came about and soon after, it transpired into what is now my DREAM career. I wanted to start my business by creating my own lash line with my own brand. Initially, I thought the process of starting one’s own business wouldn’t be so hard to manage, especially a startup of a new lash line. I mean, come on now, how difficult could it be to sample some lashes and then make the launch? Well to my unpleasant surprise, this process took a lot more than just sampling some lashes and making the launch. A few months in the trial process I began to get really discouraged with the direction in which my “business idea” was going in. I decided then that it was best to give it a break. At the time, I was still working my 9-5 job as an educator, mentoring and teaching high school students. Although I enjoy helping students grow and become successful citizens as they depart into the real world, I knew there was more to me than just teaching.
With the idea still fresh in my head of wanting to create my own lash business, on March 8th, 2020 I took a leap of faith and attended an eyelash extension training course. This was the first step for me to finally pursue something that I was deeply passionate about. Lashes have always been a staple in my makeup bag for as long as I can remember. It was that first glance I made in the mirror after applying them that I found a deep passion for lashes and how they made me feel. I felt “BEAUTIFUL!” I know I can speak on behalf of other women to say that lashes truly do make you feel like a completely different person. They enhance your natural beauty by giving you an extra dose of confidence in how you look and feel. Six months into lashing and all I can say is, thank you God! This was the best decision I have ever made and I can truly say that I’m doing what I love. With lashing, I am able to help other women feel beautiful without having to compromise their self-worth by not changing their natural beauty, but rather enhancing it.
I am in complete awe with the amount of support I have received not only from my family and friends but also from complete strangers! The constant love you guys give our small business is unreal and I don’t take any of you for granted. Thank you guys for believing in me and for trusting me to be your lash artist. As we grow and adjust, we want to take you all along on the journey and we hope to have your continued support, as there are more exciting things coming your way!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
A smooth road to success said no one ever! Lol The road to entrepreneurship has been far from a smooth road. Every day I learn and adapt to new ways of running my business efficiently and effectively. I am not only the boss of my business, but I’m also the customer service rep, the inventory specialist, the scheduling agent, the bookkeeper, the lash artist, and the list goes on. As the owner of LashGlamxJess, I need to make sure that all areas of my business are up-to-date and that we are providing the best quality services and experiences for each and every single one of our customers.
As a one-woman show for our small business and the daily pressures that come with running a business, I have struggled with getting past my fear of failing. The fear of disappointment, the fear of not being good enough, or the fear of not making it in this industry. My whole life I’ve been afraid of taking risks, but as I continue to venture into this industry, I have come to realize that risks have to be made in order to grow. And in order to grow, you must take risks; some that require you to step out of your comfort zones where you have no choice but to adapt and overcome. The road to entrepreneurship has definitely pushed me far beyond my limits, but in the midst of it all I have seen myself evolve into a person I never in a million years thought I could ever be…a business owner and CEO of LashGlamxJess.
LashGlamxJess – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
LashGlamxJess is a small business that specializes in hybrid, volume, mega volume eyelash extensions and strip lashes. Our mission here at LashGlamxJess is to help ALL clients feel valued and appreciated no matter who they are. We strive to never compromise any of our client’s natural beauty, and in fact, enhance it with the use of high-quality products and services every single time. We wanted our business to focus on all things beauty, and anyone who shops and supports LashGlamxJess can benefit from it one way or another. We didn’t want our business to exclude those who do not prefer the use of eyelash extensions, but rather go the traditional way of using strip lashes. Therefore, we decided to expand by releasing our newest product of strip lashes which will launch on September 15th, 2020.
What I am most proud of as a business is the ability to be able to create real-life impacts on people by making them “feel” beautiful. The one thing I always tell my clients is that they are already beautiful and that I am only enhancing what they already have by giving them lashes. I love the reactions I get from all my girls every single time I hand over that mirror and they open their eyes, “OMG!” “WOW!” “DANG!” “GIRL THESE ARE FIRE!” and the list goes on. The fact that I am able to make such an impact on each and every one of my clients makes running this business worth it. I literally would not be where I am right now without the continued support of my family, friends, and loyal clients. Thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart your business and friendships are not taken for granted.
What sets LashGlamxJess apart from others is my mission and purpose when it comes to lashing. We didn’t start lashing just to make some quick money and call it a day. At LashGlamxJess, we strive to make a difference in people’s lives by building REAL relationships with our customers and making them feel valued and appreciated every single time. We love making you girls feel beautiful after coming in to get pampered. I take pride in always making sure all my clients feel welcomed and taken care of when they come in for their lash appointments. From the extra pillows I offer them for comfort to the music I play. It’s the little things that count for me on top of providing the personalized experiences that are tailored to their needs.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
My definition of success is knowing that whatever you set out to do in life that you do it with love by helping others and yourself in becoming better individuals while living a happier and healthier life. Personally, I feel that in order for one to truly be successful, you must overcome adversity and keep going even when times get tough. Never give up and always keep striving for greatness. Be humble and never forget where you came from because we all start from somewhere.
Pricing:
- “Blooming Into You” – Hybrids $80.00
- “You Are Valued” – Volume $90.00
- “Dare To Be Different” – Mega Volume $110.00
- “Savanna” – Lash Strip $12.00
- “Bombshell” – Lash Strip $14.00
- “Bad N’ Bougie” – Lash Strip $16.00
Contact Info:
- Booking Site: https://lashglamxjess.
as.me/ - Phone: 6198047810
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lashglamxjess/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lashglamxjess
- Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LashGlamxJess?ref=search_shop_redirect
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