Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Wolfley.
Hi Stephanie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve loved all things beauty and design for as long as I can remember, so I earned my cosmetology license at 17, right out of high school and started working in salons doing hair and makeup. In 2010, a former classmate invited me to take a lash extension course, and I only signed up because my mom wanted me to be able to do her lashes- but it ended up changing the direction of my career. At the time, training was minimal and few people offered lashes, so even as I built my skills, the service helped set me apart.
For a few years, doing lashes was a side business while I worked in hair salons and waited tables, until 2014 when I joined a lash-only salon. That’s where everything shifted. I received in-depth, hands-on training and became completely committed to perfecting my craft. That experience allowed me to take my skills to other markets, including Las Vegas and Seattle.
In 2017, I moved back to my hometown of Redding, California, and opened my first business, Lash’d. People told me the town wasn’t big enough for a specialty lash studio, but within six months I was fully booked, without a single paid ad. The following year, I was hired as an educator for a major lash brand and began traveling around the country teaching while still running my salon full-time.
By the end of 2019, my husband and I decided to relocate to Salt Lake City to be closer to family. Instead of closing Lash’d, I sold the business—including the name, lease, client list, and equipment—and mentored the new owner through the transition. It was bittersweet to leave my first salon, but I was excited to build something new and continue teaching.
I opened Ruby Lash in Salt Lake City in February 2020—just weeks before Covid hit. The shutdown ended my teaching career and stalled my business plans, but I adapted. I worked hard to rebuild my clientele and earned certifications in lash lifts, tints, and brow lamination to meet clients’ changing needs and lifestyles.
Today, Ruby Lash is a quiet, professional studio where I work one-on-one with clients offering high-quality lash extensions, lash lifts, and brow services for women who want to streamline their beauty routine and feel confident around the clock. The business is growing and still welcoming new clients.
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. Even before the pandemic, I was putting in long hours and figuring things out on my own. There’s no real playbook for starting a beauty business, and I didn’t have many mentors to lean on—but compared to what came next, those early years feel easy.
When COVID hit just weeks after I opened Ruby Lash, everything stopped overnight. The shutdown ended my teaching career and paused my new studio before it had a chance to grow. Financially it was a major setback, and rebuilding from scratch was exhausting.
Once things reopened, I had to work twice as hard in a market that had become more saturated and less predictable. Clients’ priorities changed, spending habits shifted, and I had to adapt quickly by adding new services and reinvesting in training. There were definitely moments of burnout while juggling finances, growth, and constant changes as a one-woman business.
Those challenges made me more resilient and resourceful, and I’m still pouring energy into Ruby Lash today as I work to stand out in a competitive market, but I’m proud of how far it’s come and excited about where it’s headed.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Ruby Lash is a professional, relaxing studio where women come to wake up feeling effortlessly confident. I create a space where clients can take a timeout from life—whether that’s lying back in a cozy recliner and venting, closing their eyes for a nap, or enjoying a podcast or audiobook while I work.
I specialize in natural-looking, safe eyelash extensions, designed to enhance beauty without compromising lash health. Extensions save time in the morning by eliminating the need for mascara—and often eyeliner or shadow—while allowing clients to swim, shower, and wake up looking polished.
I also specialize in lash lifts and tints, one of the most current trends in beauty. This service curls and darkens natural lashes for up to six weeks, giving a low-maintenance, effortlessly lifted look that clients love.
Brow laminations are another signature service. This “perm” straightens and molds brow hairs for a fuller, more defined appearance, with tinting and shaping included, lasting up to five weeks.
All of my services are designed to simplify beauty routines, help clients feel confident every day, and provide a professional, high-quality experience in a calm, welcoming environment.
How do you define success?
I define success as living a life that feels meaningful and true to me. It’s about pursuing passions, while getting to show my daughter the value of hard work. It comes from rising to challenges, learning, and striving to make a positive impact in the world. For me, success isn’t about titles or money—it’s about the pride and fulfillment that come from giving my best in everything I do.
Pricing:
- Eyelash Extensions $225-$285
- Lash Lift & Tint $135
- Brow Lamination $95
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rubylash-slc.com
- Instagram: @rubylash_slc
