Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty and cosmetics but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tanjineka Hall, Founder of Elegant Touch Lashes, located in Birmingham, AL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a 2x's Certificate Lash Artist and Certified Brow Artist with a main focus on enhancing your total beauty. I provide a Luxury Service to a high-end clientele base in Downtown Birmingham, AL. As a Lash Artist, I promote and help maintain healthy lashes. My Lash isolation is LIT lash for lash, and my Lash Retention is BEASTING; hold sets on for more than five weeks with a needed fill with at least 45% lashes remaining. I've really come a long way with this. Lashing may look easy-breezy, yet it's major challenging. It took a lot of prayers, practice, patience, studying, and research. I've learned so much and stayed up to date with the latest education and guidelines in regards to lashing. This is only the beginning; it gets Greater Later.
Tell us about yourself
Starting my own business was never the intention. 2019 I took lash training From my lash tech at the time to actually learn another craft. And for a little extra money in addition to my corporate job at the time. Two weeks before my lash training class, I was laid off from my job of 2yr as a Medical Charge Entry Clerk. Life was shifting, and I wasn't paying attention to the dynamics of the shift. My support system was 1000%, so no worries there. I continued to job search but still lashing at home at the time. With no success during the job search, my clients were steadily growing. Me again, not paying attention. I never missed a bill and continued to maintain the life I was living while working corporate. Ok! Now I receive a call from a local lash bar to work as a lash tech. Me thinking, ok, I can work here while still job searching. My clients grew greater and larger. My technique has started to get better. The urge to search for a job was getting slim for me, and I became full-time so quickly. When I would get off, I would be too tired to search. Fast forward to 2020 brings COVID-19 pandemic. Everything shuts down, including salons (including where I had been employed).
Honestly, COVID 19 had me so afraid with panic. I was afraid to go back into a salon with multiple people working. This definitely encouraged me to search for a small suite to operate individually so then I would be able to control my own environment to provide safety for clients and myself. During the shutdown, I found a small business suite in Downtown Birmingham, AL. I applied and got approved 3days before the city News announced that the governor had released the shutdown. Now I'm elated, Glorifying God because prayer doors are being opened, and prayers are being answered. I started with five regular clients, and now I've grown for the better. I Love All my clients; they support me HEAVY! And I especially love that they have chosen me to be their Last Artist.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is surviving and thriving during and after the COVID-19 pandemic when major companies were forced to close due to no work, production, or staff.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I would say the hardest thing is making sure Revenue is consistent and growing to maintain a profitable and balanced business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Stay focused.
- Be consistent.
- Never Give Up.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.eleganttouchlashes.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TanjiTyishe/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanjityishe/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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