Check Out Larra’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Larra.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hi, I’m the owner and founder of House of Beauty Austin. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I am married to a wonderful husband of 17 years and have 2 very handsome young men. If someone would have told me 20 years ago I would be Featured in a magazine writing about myself and my career I would’ve thought they were crazy.

I just remember at an early age having a lack of confidence in myself. I was not allowed to do my hair, nails, or makeup until I was about 18. I felt like the ugly duckling in a crowd of swans. I would always tell my friends and family that I wanted to go to beauty school so that I could learn the fundamentals when it came to making myself look pretty. People’s general response to me saying I wanted to be a cosmetologist, would usually be laughter followed by them saying, “How can you do someone else’s hair and you don’t even know how to do your own?” At the time this really discouraged me from pursuing my dreams of being a cosmetologist.

Over the years, I tried my hand in all sorts of occupations. I was a Cellphone Sales Manager, a paralegal, a massage therapist, Property Manager, and even an International Realtor auctioning off multi million dollar homes around the world! I was prospering, seeing the world, just overall doing very well, but something in me kept saying this isn’t my passion.

Early 2019, I took a lash course for $200, and ended up bawling my eyes out feeling that it was a complete waste of my time and money. In addition to that, the real estate company started to downspiral quickly, and at that point I had to decide which path was going to lead me towards my purpose. With the unsteady market and the uncertainty of my future in real estate, I used my down time to learn lash techniques through YouTube, Facebook groups, my fellow peeps and by practicing on a mannequin head every chance I could get.

I would even practice on my husband late at night for weeks just to be decent enough to start taking on clients. God bless his soul. LOL

With my lash certificate in hand, I opened up a lash salon right in my home that same year. Some months I’d have 3 clients, and others I’d have 30, but what I realized was that I absolutely loved being a lash artist, and I wanted to do this for real. I knew I needed to get my license and become official. The last month of 2019 I began esthetician school at Aveda Institute. I attended classes three days a week, nearly 12 hours each day then would rush home and do lashes on two clients. On the other four days that I had available I would schedule at least five to seven clients. Forward to 6 months later and I was the first to finish my hours and graduate in my class! The second to pass my tests on the first try despite being extremely nervous that it was going to go the other way.

In August, after dealing with delays from the pandemic, I became licensed. Then I began the hunt for my future salon in January and was fortunate enough to find the perfect location by February. Once we finalized the lease in March my team and I or I should say, my wonderful husband, my two very handsome boys, a few of my close clients sprung into action and renovated the suite all in time for the grand opening on April 10th.

Now, this salon not only serves in making women and men feel and look their best it also serves as a training facility and mentorship for men and women who want to learn to lash and/or other techniques offered here in the salon. I am proud to have created a safe space for other women, a place where they can feel comfortable and leave feeling content. I pride in the fact that I’ve never cancelled an appointment, and currently have 4.8+ star reviews across all platforms. Letting me know that each and every client that walks out our door looks and feels amazing.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I’m grateful for the bumps along the way but in honesty this process was far from smooth. I had only completed one appointment before everything converted to online.The pandemic hit as soon as I started this journey creating a major obstacle as I had to restrategize my business plan, and once again I ended up practicing on my husband and my kids. Fortunately I was able to find useful online classes from my peers and close friends in the industry.

I left a 6 figure job to do lashes, and that weighed heavy on me when things didn’t progress as quickly as I thought they would. I set my expectations for myself very high and had to make adjustments and venture out into areas that far surpassed just simply being an esthetician. Through the many obstacles presented on this journey before it even began my dedication, my want to provide excellent service, perseverance and overall tenacious spirit lead me to my purpose.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love what I do, and it shows. At House of Beauty Austin we offer Lash Extension, Facials, Body Sculpting, Teeth Whitening, Tooth Gems, and Yoni Steaming. We are known for our diverse menu.

We’re thrilled to train the next generation of lash technicians through hands-on training and lash classes near you! We Empower our students to become their own boss in a flexible field with lash tech classes that are available every month. No need to Google “lash classes near me!” You’ve already found the experts at House of Beauty Austin.

I am so lucky that I have found a career that I love so much. I really am doing my part to create positive change in the world—one face at a time. I love to share my knowledge and help others. Being an esthetician isn’t only about giving lashes and facial treatments and selling skin care products, it’s about helping create change and therefore lives.

With all of the reasons to love this profession, it’s no wonder I did a Google search one day on jobs and ‘esthetician’ came up as having one of the highest job satisfaction rates!

I have truly enjoyed every minute of my career as an esthetician, and I feel like I’m just getting warmed up.

Contact Info:

• Email: Info@houseofbeautyaustin.com
• Website: www.houseofbeautyaustin.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseofbeautyaustin/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/lashoutbylarra/

Image Credits
Larra Victor Rodriguez
Hair Kiffanii