Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ashley Moore, Owner of Divine Lash & Beauty Bar, located in Mequon, WI, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Divine Lash & Beauty Bar is a full-service salon and spa that provides pretty much everything from Eyelash extensions to V-steams. We cater to all your beauty and skincare needs. We have a variety of clients from the younger generation to the older generation; our clients are of all races and come from everywhere to see us, like Chicago, Racine, Sheboygan and etc., to receive great service and great customer service. When you walk into Divine Lash & Beauty Bar for the first time, you are not only our client, you are family, and we will treat you with the best and most enjoyable experience.
Tell us about yourself
I started Divine Lash & Beauty Bar after working for Kohls Corporate for seven years. I was always interested in the beauty, and fashion industry, so so always practiced makeup. When the eyelash extension idea was brought to my attention, I immediately jumped on the opportunity to train to become an Eyelash Tech. I loved everything about it, including the income I made just as a part-time tech. When I realized I was making more as an eyelash tech than a customer service team lead, I knew this was my passion. I struggled because I never knew exactly what I wanted to do. I went to college and received my degree as a Medical Assistant, A Surgical Technician, and I have a degree in fashion and retail marketing. But nothing felt as good as being in the beauty industry. After seeing I was more successful as a Lash Technician, I decided to take the risk and go in full time, leaving my comfort zone of having a steady income with health benefits. I now have to work harder to get more clients. I rented two rooms in Mequon, and I decided to go back to school for my Ethics degree so that I could keep my income consistent and offer additional services.
At this time, my neighbor was looking to get out of his suite early and offered to me to take over. I thought to myself can I afford it, and do I need all of this space. It was then that I thought to take another risk and build a solid team. I added four more chairs, a makeup station, and a steam room to the business. I then added the suite next to me as a private spa for when I completed my degree. As I continued my training at MATC Mequon, I was hiring new lash technicians, and after a year of me being in my building, I was asked to take on more suites. I jumped on the opportunity to have more space and multiple spa rooms. Throughout my training, I decided to build my esthetics team. I watched every girl closely in school (how eager they were to learn, their customer service, and their attitudes toward each other as well as their customers). At the end of the program, I offered four girls a job with great pay.
One thing I took from Kohls was the excellent customer service we provided, and I used that to build great customer service at Divine Lash & Beauty Bar and retain customers. After four years, we were seeing over 300 clients a month, and I had a staff of 7, and we had outgrown our space, so in March of 2022, we decided to expand. We are now at a 4,038 sq feet location with over ten amazing women that not only provide great services but great customer service. We are a one-stop-shop, and we are located at 10520 N. Baehr Rd Mequon, WI 53092. We are now closer to our Mequon clients as well as our inner-city clients, and we love it!!!!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I feel my biggest accomplishment is staying afloat and being able to expand in the middle of a pandemic. With my new location, I am able to provide more job opportunities for others, and I am able to help more people follow their dreams since I have opened four members of my team as since. Then, we went on to open and run successful spas in the city of Milwaukee, and I couldn’t be more proud of them.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I think one of the hardest things is keeping it all together!!! Maintaining a business and keeping staff and clients happy as well as maintaining your personal life and keeping your family happy is the hardest thing ever because when you own a business, it’s never-ending work, so sometimes people or things can get neglected. I struggle every day with balancing the two because so much is on my shoulders. I am a single mother of 2, an 11year old and a 16year old, and when they are at that age, you have to keep them on track, so I offer teen programs so that I can keep my oldest close and teach her life as I run a whole business alone.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Stay focused; things get hard but never give up; if you want this, stay with it, and you will see your business bloom into something amazing.
- Customer Service is key! Make sure every person that walks into your business knows you appreciate them taking the time to spend their hard-earned money with you and no one else!! Keep them coming back because, without them, there’s no you!!!
- Take your time!!! Focus on one area at a time and watch the success unfold!!!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Come see us at Divine Lash and Beauty Bar! We love new faces, and once you step into our establishment, you will love what you see!!!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.divinelashandbeautybars.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divinelashandbeautybar/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divinelashandbeautybar
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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