Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty and cosmetics but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alex Richard, Co-Owner of EyeCandy PDX, located in Portland, OR, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My business is an esthetics salon in Portland, Or. We focus on creative color lash extensions and gender-inclusive full-body waxing. Our goal is to boost the confidence of our clients, especially those in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Tell us about yourself

My sister Jessica and I started EyeCandy PDX with the vision of creating an alternative to the typical salon. Anyone in the industry knows it can be a toxic environment for both those working in a salon and clients who are made to feel like they need to change their appearance to fit traditional beauty standards. We then teamed up with the fastest waxer this side of the Mississippi, who shares our ideals. We all love to provide services to build people up and provide a safe space for everyone who has felt excluded in a salon environment.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

This is a hard one because there is a lot I am proud of when it comes to the space we have curated. My greatest accomplishment is simply keeping the salon doors open during a global pandemic when our industry was deemed the least essential of all non-essential work. We had to close for months just two weeks after signing the lease on our first independent space, then were able to continue building steady clientele, all while figuring out how to run a business for the first time. I had a lot of “I might as well give up and start flipping burgers” moments, but I’m really proud to have stuck with it.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Taxes. Ha! No, in all seriousness, I’d say the hardest part for me is setting boundaries. For example, not taking clients outside of setting business hours is one huge hurdle. Especially when it comes to taking a vacation, when I first started out, if I planned to take even one day off, I would compensate by working longer hours or an additional day later in the week. I fairly quickly started feeling some burnout symptoms and decided to set up some firmer boundaries.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Say no. Especially if someone is pushing your boundaries, you should stay firm and do what’s best for your business and you personally.
  2. Do it now. Just start. You can always figure out the details as you go, but time is fleeting.
  3. Network. It’s absolutely imperative to talk about your business to your community and those close to you. Word of mouth is massive for advertising and finding out what people want out of the services/products you provide.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://eyecandyoc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyecandypdx/

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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