Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty and cosmetics but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kim Irwin, Founder of Lashes On Main, located in Stoneham, MA, USA.

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

Lashes On Main is an esthetic salon that offers a variety of services. We offer Lash extensions, Lash Lifts, Lash and Brow Tinting, Tooth Gems, skin services such as facials, facial waxing, back facials, and more! We cater to beautiful people of all ages. Our client's happiness is the most important thing to us. We want everyone to leave us feeling just as beautiful as they look.

Tell us about yourself

I started my business almost six years ago. I worked corporate jobs and was never happy working for someone else. After getting laid off from a recruiting job, I took time to figure out what my passion was. I started doing Lash Extensions and fell in love with it. I decided to go back to school and graduated from the Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics. When I first opened it, I was broke. I put all the money I could back into my business. I built a clientele mostly by word of mouth, and before I knew it, I was booked solid. A lot of those clients are still clients today! When you put your clients first, they will stay loyal and help you build your business. I'm so grateful for all of my clients over the years!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

When I first started Lashes On Main, it was called Serenity Skin Experts. I started renting space from a friend in their salon; when I moved from there, I moved into another space I was renting inside a business. In 2018, I could finally open my own store front in Stoneham. That was such a huge accomplishment that I'm still so proud of today!

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

When you own a business, everything is on you. You have to wear many hats.

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

  1. Put your clients first! They are the ones that will help your business grow. Take the time to get to know them and give them a personal experience. If they're happy, they will help spread the word for you.
  2. Only compete with yourself! Don't compare yourself to others. Everyone's timeline is different, so don't feel bad if someone else seems to grow their business faster than yours. You never know what goes on behind the scenes. Their success doesn't take anything away from yours; it just shows you what is possible! Be just as happy for their wins as you are for your own.
  3. Work hard but make sure to make time for yourself. Finding a good work/life balance took me a long time. I was working 10-12 hours when I started and got burnt out quickly. Remember that it's okay to take time for yourself. If you're not feeling your best, you can't put your best into your business!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Remember that everyone has to start somewhere. You'll succeed if you're doing something you love and putting your heart into it. You may try something that doesn't work out, but keep going! You often learn more from what goes wrong than what goes according to plan!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://www.lashesonmain.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LashesOnMain/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.