Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariah Brown.
Hi Mariah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I became an esthetician at 21, I was living in Las Vegas which is actually where I was born but did not grow up. I moved to Las Vegas from the Bay Area when I was 20 years old. It was a culture shock and most of my vegas experiences was not enjoyable at all. When I decided to do the esthetics program, I was trying to figure out what to do with my life and needed a change. I absolutely fell in love with esthetics and that was where I first cultivated the goal to own my own salon. I grew up a lot while in beauty school and really chose to focus on my career goals. I knew I wanted to open my own salon but straight out of beauty school, I did not have the skill sets to do. While in beauty school, my first job in my career was being a receptionist at Massage Envy.
Even then, I wanted I focused on the operational side of running a salon. After graduating, I became an esthetician at Massage envy and even took a job at European wax center as a second job. I always maintained that these jobs were stepping stones and an opportunity to grow my skills. A couple of years later, I moved to Austin, Texas. My mom grew up here and had moved back a year before I made my decision to move to Austin. I was not excited about the move at all because all I knew was the west coast but I am so thankful for the move till this day. I settled in quickly to Austin and a couple of months after my move, I found out I was having a baby boy. I owe so much of my growth to my son. When I found out I was pregnant I had nothing. I was living with my parents, no car and no job. I chose to keep my son because I was 25 and I had a career, literally my only two reasons. Once I found out I was pregnant, I refocused and bought a car and got a job. My last job working for someone was Amazing Lash studio before starting I told myself I would only stay for a year.
Months before the year was up, I almost forgot my goal until I got in a car accident that totaled my car and scared me. I thought about how my son was only a couple of months old and I had nothing to give him if the accident had turned fatal. I used the money from the accident and started Lash Lab 512. I asked my parents if I could move back in with them rent-free for my first year in business. They were a huge part of me feeling supported through my first year. My son was only six months old when I got the keys to my salon suite. I was a new mom and a first-time business owner. I had little start-up cost and bought things from supplies to decor little by little while taking new clients. When I first opened, I only did eyelash extensions until I could afford to buy wax supplies to offer full body waxing. I started my business as a leap of faith. I was shaking at the start of my first client appointment but after that I knew I could do it. I am now, three years later, in the planning phases of moving into a storefront and hiring employees. I still have the support of my family and so many clients who have been a part of my three years journey. My son is now four years old and tells me when he grows up, he’s going to help me with my business as well.
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 started with no business knowledge, no college degree, no clientele, and barely any start-up cost. My first client was not family or friends. I put myself on Groupon and gave quality work despite making no profit in the beginning. I still have regulars who came in on a Groupon because they love my energy and attention to detail. Because I had no formal business education, I took a lot of classes through Austin small business Division that offer little to no cost classes about anything business. I’ve taken classes ranging from how to file my LLC, understanding cash flow, to how to hire employees. I moved into a more expensive suite and then covid happen. I was forced to stop working for two months and despite that most of my clientele came back after quarantine. I also had a new client at the time tell me about a grant that Austin was giving to small businesses to help offset losses due to covid. I had no idea how to apply for a grant. Some of the things they were asking for a had to learn how to create like a profit and loss statement. I am so thankful that I applied and was in shock when I found out I received the grant. This added to my confidents in my ability to self-learn and create opportunities for myself.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Lash Lab 512?
Lash Lab 512 was created on pure faith and passion. I am an esthetician and my business specializes in Eyelash extensions and full body waxing. I believe what sets my business apart from others is my genuine care for my clientele. I make my clients feel special the minute they walk into my space. I give a thorough consultation and most client’s response is that no one ever asked them what they wanted before starting their service. I remember important details about each and every guest that comes in. They are always surprised when I remembered what we talked about at their last session. I am always told I have a calming energy and that I give them exactly what they ask for. I am proud that my business has no bad online reviews and my returning guest always refers me to people. It lets me know that they really do love the work that I do. It reaffirms why it was important for me to start Lash Lab 512. Lash Lab 512 is an inclusive safe space for all guests and each guest is met with an individually tailored experience. I had a long-time guest who had a hard time getting pregnant and once she got pregnant halfway through her pregnancy, she was bedridden and could not leave the hospital. She asked if I could do her lashes at the hospital. Without hesitation, I was there every couple of weeks in the hospital doing her lashes. I don’t offer mobile services but I knew how much it meant to her and the normalcy it brought her in spite of having to stay in the hospital. I want all my guests to know that I will absolutely go above and beyond for them.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
The advice that I would give is keep your faith and take the leap. Always keep learning and stay focused on your goal. Spread positive energy even when you are having a bad day. My first two years I worked seven days a week and every waken moment was dedicated to my business. During quarantine, it was the break I did not realize I needed. I looked around my apartment and realized I never bought any decor and there was no real sign of my son and I living in it. After quarantine, I cut back my hours and created a schedule with living and time for my son in mind. I was worried my clientele would not be happy but the adapted. Don’t forget to take care of yourself while taking care of others. Providing a service means we choose a career that gives to others constantly. I am constantly reminding myself to receive positive energy and do self-care for that reason.
Pricing:
- Classic full set- $150
- Hybrid Full set- $185
- Volume Full set- $230
- Brazilian wax- $60
Contact Info:
- Email: info@lashlab512.com
- Website: www.vagaro.com/lashlab512
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lashlab512
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/lashlab512
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lash-lab-512-austin
