Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty and cosmetics but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Miri Choi, Owner of LA LA LASH, located in Sandy Springs, GA, USA.

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

LA LA LASH provides high-end eyelash extensions and brow services performed by certified professionals. LA LA LASH pride itself on the quality of lashes as well as the application process. Customers will experience eyelash extensions adding length and volume to eyelashes with a semi-permanent application of high-quality synthetic lashes.

LA LA LASH considers lash extensions as an art form. Through the consultation, we will help customers to determine what extensions look the best for the customer and customize the look the customer wants to achieve.

The differentiators are:

  1. Customized lash designs to match an individual's face and eye shape.
  2. Fast application speed – Classic full set: 1 hr.
  3. High-quality product – We never give up on product quality.
  4. Various types of glue are available for customers with glue allergies.
  5. Modern interior design and clean environment.

Tell us about yourself

I am from South Korea. I had no previous overseas living experience in the past and landed in Atlanta back in 2017 since my husband had to relocate to the USA for his new job. Without knowing how life is in the states and with my basic English, going to a grocery was even a big challenge for me. I was building my career as a nutritionist in Korea, but I was just nobody in Atlanta who was afraid of stepping outside of the house. To overcome the stress of the new environment, I took out my old passion and started uploading pictures of nail artwork on a tip. Luckily, a big beauty salon reached out to me and offered me a job as a nail technician.

Although I barely communicated with the customer, they returned and sought my service. It encouraged me and motivated me to be fluent in English because I wanted to communicate with them. In addition to doing nail art, I paid attention to various services such as lash extensions, hair, and makeup. Among those beauty services, the thing that intrigued me the most was eyelash extensions. After two years as a nail technician, I dramatically turned to becoming a lash technician. Often, I don't realize how fast time flies by when I am doing lash extensions. I especially like how those little lashes boost the customers' beauty and make them look so amazing. Since beginning my career as a lash technician, I have worked 12 hours a day, six days a week for three years. My passion for lash extension is so great that once, an insurance company asked about my occupation, and I answered, 'Making people beautiful.' Since then, it has become my motto and my enthusiasm. Last year, I started my own beauty salon, LA LA LASH, and I planned to continue making people beautiful.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I don't want to call anything yet an accomplishment. My steps toward the goal have just started, and I have made a footstep toward it. If I had to find my biggest accomplishment, I would say the courage to take a step forward.

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

Obviously, it was not a smooth road for someone like me who is still stressed out from English. Life in the USA is culturally and systematically so much different from what I have learned my whole life. The first struggle was communication. It took me a long time to communicate with the customer fluently.

The second struggle came with the people. In the beginning phase of the business, I was the only technician at the salon. As the number of customers increased, I had to staff the salon with qualified technicians. It was very challenging to find a skilled and talented technician who would fit the standard I set for my salon. It took me a lot of time searching for the right talent and people with the right mindset. However, even though my staffing was slow, I maintained the quality of the staff despite losing the opportunity. I believe the right people in the right seat drive the business to the right place. With all the efforts and thanks to great staff, we were able to acquire 200+ 5 stars in Google reviews.

The third struggle was me. If the owner is unable to trust the staff and extract themselves from the daily work of the business, the business will hit the limit fast because the owner only has two hands. It was very challenging for me to reduce time at the salon bed applying lashes and move that time to focus on the business and making future plans. I am still trying to reduce my time at the salon bed and provide more authority and responsibilities to staff.

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

If anyone is looking or considering to start their own business, I would like to recommend to ask yourself the questions below.

  1. Do you have experience & knowledge in this industry from top to bottom?
    To start a business, you need to know every inch of your business and be capable of performing all the roles. It does not necessarily mean you have to do everything by yourself, but you have the depth of understanding to evaluate your employee's work performance. You may be able to start without the knowledge, but it requires the right people, assets, and a high-profit business model.
  2. Do you believe being an owner is easier than being an employee?
    You may have seen successful owners, and their life seems easy, but being a business owner is a constant battle that never ends. Every hour is your working hour, and you will be the busiest person in the company. Of course, there is a big benefit to being an owner, you get to choose the company direction as a captain of the boat, and you will get compensated only if you succeed. There are so much excitement and benefit to running your own business, but you also have to be aware of the weight of the position.
  3. Have you done a market analysis?
    Starting your own business comes from an idea, but an idea doesn't always turn into a business. Before you start the business, you need to understand who is the customer your business is targeting, who is your competitors, what's the size of the market, etc. There are many researches in advance to be done to verify your great ideas into a realistic plan.

There is so much more I want to add, but I picked the most 3 important checklists before you start your own business.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I want to share my philosophy which is 'people first. I would not have arrived where I am today without support and trust from LA LA LASH Team. I believe if my staff is happy, that happiness will flow to the customer through their smile. And if the customer is happy, business flows naturally.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.lalalashatl.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lalalashatl/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lalalashatl/

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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