Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Raquel Dasilva, founder and CEO of LASHGOD, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

My businesses are ARZ3NIA (parent company), LASHGOD, MODERN AESTHETICS COLLEGE, HAIRGOD, NAILGOD & MEDIAGOD. We have two locations within the city 1310 Don Mills Rd in North York + 236 Avenue rd in Yorkville. Our salon + spa locations are a destination for all things beauty and fashion, but more recently, with the launch of our parent company, we have transitioned into a community wellness and brand expansion hub. I have begun to hand-select and resell all-natural Canadian local skincare + catering brands as well as unique handmade fashion.

For many years our salons have serviced women + men for all things
lashes, brows, hair, nails & body, and supplies for beauty business professionals in those categories. We have 5+ years of experience as service providers and educators in each category. We are veterans in top-tier aesthetics education offered through M.A.C (modern aesthetics college) with a full calendar curriculum running every month.

As my commitment to self-improvement continues to grow, I also see my brand continue to improve each and every day. It’s my greatest pleasure to now offer my salons as a growth space for many amazing brands backed by science, education, nutrition, and quality ingredients to flourish and easily reach my demographic and consumers.

Tell us about yourself

My name is Raquel DaSilva, and I’m 25 years old. I’ve been in this business for nearly eight years. It started with my first ever lash course when I just turned 18 years old. I loved servicing and getting to know my clients. I was fascinated by the complexities of people, hearing their life stories, and getting to understand humans better while providing them an enhancement service that made them feel beautiful. Eventually, the business expanded so much that after five years, I retired from offering paid eyelash services but continued to enjoy entertaining and knowing my clients.

I’ve always believed in beauty, but now more than ever, I am motivated to create a well-rounded hub that focuses on education, internal + external beauty, healthy cellular intake, skincare, and a minimalistic approach to feeling beautiful.

I am 100% plant-based. I focus on beauty services that are low maintenance & prioritize my mental and physical health above all else. I am in the works of transitioning my space to be a community space where my clients can come for all things beauty, education, health & a healthy environment to spend their time. With the launch of our café, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, & many exciting wellness projects on the way, my team and I are extremely excited and motivated!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is watching my company grow into the most healthy and ethical version of itself. Seeing new positive changes implemented daily as I grow and my team members grow. Watching my students flourish into highly successful business people and watching each member of my own team grow and develop each day. It’s truly a beautiful thing to see the constant daily effort and hard work pay off.

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

The hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is probably that the business never turns off; once you’re in, you’re in. It’s a machine that requires constant attention, innovation, and effort. It requires a minimum of 72 hours weekly, but, in reality, I think about it constantly. I think it’s both the most beautiful and hardest thing... the constant discipline and “on-call” 24/7 component.

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

  1. Believe in yourself before you expect the support of others. What the brain believes will become a reality. I attribute a ton of my success to my optimism throughout my career. Once you experience a few small wins, your brain's neural pathways related to success and belief in self to accomplish strengthen. The first few wins are the hardest; eventually, it will become natural.
  2. You need to be willing to put in twice as much work as everyone else. If you can make $30,000-$80,000 (ballpark) annually working a 9-5, if you want more revenue, more success, and more results, you simply have to be willing to dedicate and sacrifice more time, effort, brainpower, physical labour to achieve that, there’s in way around that in building a long term, tangible and sustainable business
  3. Sleep 8 hours a night, eat healthily and drink water. Your business starts with you. Take care of yourself because you are at the core of everything related to your business.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Seize the day!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://lashgod.ca/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lashgodraq/
https://www.instagram.com/raqpunzel/
https://www.instagram.com/modernaestheticcollege/
https://www.instagram.com/hairgodtoronto/
https://www.instagram.com/nailgodtoronto/
https://www.instagram.com/mediagodtoronto/

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.