Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Whiteley.
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?
After having dreams since I was a little girl to open my own business, I decided to finally take the plunge and do that during the Covid 19 pandemic. I had been working as a full-time lash artist for five years and had always had thoughts of owning my own lash studio. After the pandemic hit, finances weren’t the same and I knew I had to figure something out. I got with two other colleagues and we came up with the name FLAUNT together. It was scary but something kept telling me the time was right and to just do it! I have so many goals and visions for the company, it can be quite overwhelming at times. I believe anything is possible and achievable and we haven’t even scratched the surface of what’s to come! We are coming up on two years of business, consistently growing, and couldn’t be more thrilled to see our dream progress and what the future holds for us and our business! Our goal is to deliver a personable experience, our best quality work, and outstanding service that makes others feel special every time. Thanks to each and every one of our supporters!
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?
For the most part, it has been pretty smooth! Definitely a learning process, which I’m sure will never end but all in all a great experience. Almost wish we decided to do it sooner but I believe everything happens when it’s meant to. In this industry, no one really tells you about the whole business side of it, there’s a lot of selling a “dream” going on. They make it seem like once you get your credentials, you’re going to instantly be a success. Which could be true for some but it takes a lot of time, years even, to develop the skill itself. I had a good idea of the basics of running a business but I wasn’t ready to be everyone at the same time! You have to first be good at what you do, have good people skills, be the concierge, marketer, photographer, videographer, editor, bookkeeper, manager, and the list goes on! One of the biggest challenges is learning when to stop working and delegating tasks because I’m an ‘I want to do everything myself’ person. It’s a bit of an overwhelming process but we will do what we have to for our success and growth no matter how challenging!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a licensed Esthetician who has been specializing in Lash Extensions for about seven years. I have always had an extreme passion for beauty and making others feel confident, happy, and good about themselves. My fascination for lashes began in 2010. I have followed the ever-evolving lash world since and have shed literal blood, sweat, and tears along my journey. I have never stuck with anything I was not good at naturally throughout my entire life. It was always hard for me to focus and actually keep interest in any one thing. One month I was into something, the next I was on to something else. The lesson I learned from this is you never master anything this way. Lashes is the first and only thing I have had the burning desire to keep learning anything and everything about so I can deliver my best and truly be able to say I am an expert. Most people search for that thing that’s just “it” and lashes is “it” for me…it’s my career, my work, my art, my drive, and my passion. I love being able to share this with my clients so they know they can trust in me. We form a relationship of trust and appreciation for one another and they know they are more than just another client getting a service at a salon. I want each and every person that steps into my studio to feel safe, comfortable, special, and thoroughly enjoy their experience and everything that comes out of it. My goal is to make every experience unique and special to each and every client.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as doing everything you can to get everything you want and where you want to be in life no matter how challenging or what it entails. Anything is possible and it’s up to you to make it happen. Success comes in many different forms and is different from person to person. There’s no one form of success. Anyone can be as successful as they wish to be so it’s really just a matter of living up to your own vision of what success is.
Contact Info:
- Email: flaunt100@yahoo.com
- Website: https://flauntatx.square.site
- Instagram: @flauntatx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flauntatx
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/flaunt-austin-2
Image Credits:
Photography by: Laura Cantu
