Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Russell.
Hi Rebecca, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always had such a passion for the beauty industry. In 2010, I went to Cameo College and became a medical aesthetician. Doing eyelash extensions actually started as a survival job.
Here is my story: My dad had passed away, and my mom has been suffering from a disease known as multiple sclerosis. This has put her permanently in a wheelchair for the past 18 years. My mom is unable to physically take care of herself ,and also is not able to raise her remaining children living at home. My grandma was the one taking care of my family. She has been caring for both my parents and my two youngest siblings for many many years now. It was such a burden on my grandma, it took so much out of her to care for my mother and my younger siblings, who at the time were preteens. I was asked if I would take custody of my siblings. The same day I was asked to take custody of my siblings, I had found out the medical spa I was working for, was going out of business. This means I would be without a job. At the time this happened, I was not married, and solely provided for myself only. Not knowing what the future had in store for me, I agreed to take full custody of my siblings, and move them to Salt Lake City, Utah. As I begin my search for another job, I realized how much my sisters needed me. I remember many times, being at work about to step into an appointment when my sister would call crying because she was having anxiety adjusting to all of these new changes. My boss told me I no longer was able to talk on the phone, and I needed to stay professional at work. If only my boss understood why I kept answering the phone. Both of my sisters required transportation back-and-forth to school, sports, friends’ houses, and anything else they wanted to do. Working for a boss, started to get harder and harder because of all of the other demands my siblings were putting on me. I realized I needed to start working for myself. I set a goal for myself, I would be ready to work on my own, renting out a booth and bringing in my own income by the end of the year.
February 1st, 2013, I officially started working for myself renting out a booth doing eyelash extensions. I built a full clientele in under 12 months. My load became so heavy , I started hiring aestheticians that were certified doing eyelash extension to work for me. In three years, we outgrew our little space, and I knew in order to continue to grow, I needed to find a bigger space. In 2017, we built a brand-new space that tripled the size of what the last space capacity was. During the pandemic, I turned it into a full-service salon. I love coming to work every single day! I love the staff I work with! We currently have 23 stylists and growing! We have created a great environment that offers a full day of pampering for all clients to come and relax!
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?
This has not been a smooth ride! When I first started transitioning my old staff from our original location over to our new location, they all decided they did not want to come. This was devastating, because I had a beautiful brand-new location without a staff to offer services. I really did start over. It honestly is like eating an elephant, one bite at a time. One day at a time, I posted ads, interviewed several potential staff members until I found the right fit. Quality, passion, and customer service is very important to me. I worked every day to find the right fit for our clients. Each month got a little easier, because I was able to fill one more spot with an aesthetician to offer services. We have now Have a staff of 23 stylists and growing!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
By trade, I am a medical aesthetician. I chose to specialize in doing eyelash extensions. I have a full clientele which means, I show up to work 5 days a week and apply eyelash extensions to my wonderful clients. I have been doing eyelash extensions for 10 years now. I specialize in volume eyelash extensions. This is a technique that creates a handmade beautiful fan, which is safely applied to the natural lash. This technique will create a fuller look than what a classic eyelash extension can do.
I think what sets me apart from others is the opportunity I give an aesthetician who is certified in eyelash extensions. When he/she first starts out at my studio, they work for me. I provide them clients, training, and teach them how to be successful by working with them one on one. He/she will confidently build a full clientele in six months. They then see their income drastically increase! They come to work because they love what they do, they love who they work with! It creates a happy energetic environment for both the client and the staff.
It is such a fulfillment to see a staff member I brought on only six months ago with very little experience applying the knowledge and training I have shown them, and growing into what they are today. Honestly, by the end of six months, they have built a full clientele, which they will continue to see these clients on a 2-to-3 week basis.
We started getting recognized about three years ago, being nominated for multiple awards and being chosen as best small business in Salt Lake in 2020. This in itself is a huge accomplishment!
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I see myself opening up more locations in the next 5 to 10 years. I have also considered franchising.
Contact Info:
- Email: fabulashnow@gmail.com
- Website: www.Lashmyworld.com
- Instagram: @Lashmyworldstudio
- Facebook: Lash My World
Image Credits
Jerzi Pendleton
Leovigilda Valdez
Kimberly Henderson
