Why The Client Experience & Vibe You Create Matters More Than You Think | Minola Tuite

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Do they need to have a strong client's help before they go in there?
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100%.
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This is just not sustainable.
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This is not healthy.
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I want my own space now.
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I outgrew it.
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One bad day in your week can't affect the whole market.
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A successful business doesn't mean that you have to work every hour on.
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I felt like a failure.
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Looking at your business, what is excellent?
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Hello and welcome back to Be on the Tweezers.
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In today's episode, I'm sitting down with the incredible, most beautiful and purest soul, Manola.
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Today's conversation with our deep diving into client experience, salon interior.
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We're hearing about Manola's story of how she opened the salon, the struggles that she faced, things that she would do differently now she's like six years in into having the salon.
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And I love how she really thinks of all the special touches, she really thinks about how she's making clients feel.
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She's had clients be coming to her for nearly 10 years since the very beginning, and that is so incredible.
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She is doing something in her business that is working, and today she is sharing that with us.
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So I hope you enjoy.
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Don't forget to like, follow, subscribe, or push whatever button is in front of you so you never miss an episode.
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And if you haven't subscribed yet, please do so because it helps grow this podcast more than you ever know, and just for it to get its name out there.
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So I'd really appreciate if you could do that for me.
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Let's get into it.
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Well, Min, welcome to Beyond the Jesus.
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Oh, thanks for having me.
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Super excited that you're here.
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Me too.
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What I like to do with all the guests is like deep dive a little way back.
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But actually, I really wanted to ask you something because I've never asked you this before.
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Okay.
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Your name?
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Yeah.
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Minola.
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Yeah.
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Where is that from?
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Oh, I get this question.
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So because it's beautiful.
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Like it's so like I love when we go, Min, I just find it like yeah, Minnie Moo.
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My mum always calls Mimi Moo.
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So have you got something like in you?
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No.
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Do you know what?
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It's such a funny, boring story.
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Parents went to Spain.
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I believe when my mum was pregnant with me, there was a Spanish waiter called Manola.
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Some reason my mum was like, Oh, I love that.
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But if I had a girl, like you know, it's too masculine, I'll change the A to an I.
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And that's literally how it was literally.
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I thought you were gonna tell me you was like a bit Spanish, or you maybe had like a bit of something in you.
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Great?
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Eighth Italian.
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Eighth Italian?
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Yeah, like you know what?
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I feel actually can you see?
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You've got a little bit of you, maybe you do look a bit Italian.
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You've got nice olivey skin.
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Yeah, we have got olive skin in our and you've got lovely dark hair.
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Oh, I was thinking maybe you did no.
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I wish it was uh some elaborate story, but it's not.
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Maybe we could just say that you are Italian.
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Yeah, we'll say that.
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So I want to go back to the beginning, yeah, because if we're gonna dive into your salon, your client experience, like the interior, all the stuff that you were doing.
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But if you go way back before you opened the salons, yeah, was beauty something that you always wanted to go into?
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Was you like no, no, not because I've never asked you this before.
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Because people may be listening, I've actually known Min for quite a long time.
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I feel like I've never ever asked you if you've been in like a corporate job.
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Yeah, no, I haven't.
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Um, so how did I start?
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So been in the industry now for about nearly 10 years.
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Um, but prior to that, I I left college.
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All my friends were going to uni, they knew exactly what they wanted to do, and I felt a bit like deer at headlights.
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I was a bit like, oh, I really don't know what I am passionate about.
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And I just knew I didn't want to go to university at the time.
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Fell into retail, um, loved it.
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I loved the creativity of it, I loved my fashion, I loved my clothes.
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I was like a typical teenager girl, like loved my discount, um, but I still didn't feel like that retail was my thing.
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Um, what was your retail in?
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River Island.
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What's yeah?
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River Island Girl through and through.
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Oh, I love that.
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I loved Rivers.
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Um, found myself, you know, skipping college to go and have a few shifts at River Island because I absolutely love doing their delivery days, like I love seeing all the new stock come in.
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Um ended up managing one of their flagship stores in Birmingham.
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Um, was commuting there back and forth, and as a like a single 18-year-old girl, fab, loved it.
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But I soon realised that like trains were being cancelled.
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I wasn't really being paid what I wanted to be paid.
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I was, you know, spending three,£400 a month on trains alone.
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So I was thinking, I was working Christmas Eve Boxing Day, and I was thinking, oh, this isn't for me really.
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Long story cut, very short, I went on holiday with my mum and dad, and across the pool, I remember seeing for the first time someone with volume lashes, and I couldn't stop staring at her.
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I literally couldn't stop staring at her.
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It was her and her mum, they both had these beautiful volume lashes, and every single day they'd be by the pool, I'd be like, Mum, they've put those strip lashes back on again.
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And my mum would be like, I don't think they're strip lashes, Mim.
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I'd be like, They are, they must be.
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So I remember one breakfast we went up to them and they were like, Oh no, these are individual lashes stuck on, and my mind was blown.
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You know, I I live in a small little town, I'd never heard of lash extensions before, and I was like, Oh what my god.
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So I'm straight away, I'm on Google, where can I get them done?
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Booked myself in to go and get them done.
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Then I was having them done every three to four weeks.
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So you started having them done, yeah.
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Because you know what?
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I feel like everyone's first time seeing them.
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I was the same.
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I remember doing it for the first time.
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I actually hadn't seen anyone have them.
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No, I remember doing it going, you can give some of the mascara a look, or oh my god, you can actually create.
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These hands can do that.
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Like I was just mind-blown.
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Same.
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And do you know what?
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When Hannah was on, yeah, in her episode, she speaks about how she had I think it was her college tutor, yeah, had lashes, and she was like, Have you done something different?
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Because you look really pretty.
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And she said, like, I couldn't make out what she and her tutor was like, I've had my eyelashes done.
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And that doesn't it make everything you look more awake, yeah, you feel much more better in yourself.
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You look you don't have to do anything.
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It's crazy, and I'm at you looking at them girls around the pole, you were jealous.
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How are you looking like that?
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She looks like glam ready to go.
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So as soon as I got back, had my first set of extensions done, I booked myself into a course.
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I think it was like 90 pounds, it was 50 15 of us in a class.
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15?
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Yeah, all looking over, trying to look over the same bed.
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Um, four-hour course, good course.
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I think for what we paid, okay, they were all lovely, but I think as the um beauty industry has progressed, no, like it wouldn't be enough now, but I mean at the time.
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What do you think made it enough when you did it to then carry on?
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Because I find it so like my course was super basic.
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Yeah, quite such yeah, like we didn't really learn isolation, really.
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You were just J Curls, not slashing, 0.25, you know what I mean?
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Yeah, but actually, you seem it's so funny because you seem to still stick with it, even though it wasn't.
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I think you don't just when you know it's for you, but I walked out of that course like thinking I knew everything.
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I was like, wow, I'm fully a qualified lash artist now.
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Um, but I became so obsessed with perfecting it, and I think that is how I've kind of built my lash business really, because I have I was obsessed with my technique, the way that the lashes would stick to the natural lashes, how it'd make someone look.
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Like I always wanted to perfect that.
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Um, so my mum, bless it, she'd be on.
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We my first setup was in their conservatory, and um yeah, I'd lash my mum five, six hours.
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So are we done yet?
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No, no, we're not.
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What was your biggest struggle in the beginning?
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Like, what was it that you found the hardest?
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Um I was really lucky, so it kind of like I was really lucky because back then lashes were so new, so all I had to do was write on Facebook.
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I'm doing lashes.
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I I didn't struggle straight away with getting the clients, I have to say, because it no one had really heard about it back.
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I was the same, yeah.
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My biggest struggle was making them stick, making them last, and like because my training was so basic, I was like, well, she told me to just stick on, why is it not sticking?
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So that's when I had to go out there myself and go on further courses and do some more research myself, and um no one was really offering handmade volume fans, so I had to go off and go and train.
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Like, yeah, it was just it's the unknown, I suppose.
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It was all so new.
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And I think you've got to further your education all the time because I think that's where nowadays the education world seems to be so available, and also there's like a shift, I think.
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Like I feel like sometimes the beginners don't want to go to the mentoring sessions, they don't want to keep they want results now, like yeah, it's and maybe it's the different generation, you know.
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Like when we have you're like scrolling on social media and you get that um dopamine hit, you know, when you're like you get something instantly, yeah.
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I think the generation now, I don't know.
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I just feel like maybe it's they want that instant result and they want to be good at it straight away, and if they're not you see that with students, don't you?
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Like, you know, you get all these people coming through the door who want their own lash business, but it's so much more than lashing.
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And I think the more we've evolved in the industry, like our basic courses were basic.
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Yeah, you almost weren't.
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I don't know about you, but I wasn't overwhelmed like on the course.
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I kind of like off I went, but now there's so much to learn that it actually is a lot of information to digest.
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Really, yeah.
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And I think when someone's like, Oh, you actually if you do that this way, it's not gonna, it's not gonna sit, you're gonna run into these issues.
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I feel like there's a lot more information about it actually for people to digest.
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There really is.
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So, how old were you when you did that course?
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How old am I now?
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28.
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So about yeah, 18, 19.
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Oh, so like 10 years ago.
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Yeah, it was a baby.
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So then did you leave the retail, go straight into doing lashes?
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So I knew that I couldn't just I lived at home, which was great, but I knew I just couldn't afford to quit River Island.
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Um, but my passion was suddenly lashes.
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But I'm such a perfectionist, I'm not very good at offering something that I'm not 110% on.
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So I actually went and volunteered at a salon who was offering um lash extensions, and at the time they were the only people in Shoesbury to offer lash extensions.
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I wanted to not only know everything about lashes, I wanted to see how their salon operated.
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I wanted to see how they interacted with clients.
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How did they pick up the phone?
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How were people greeted?
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You know, from what time were they turning up at the salon if they had a client at nine?
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Because these are things that you are not taught.
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You're not taught, well, actually, you need to do your stock, your your messages, you need to reply to everyone all before 9am, before someone walks through that door.
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Um, so I worked there for free.
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I volunteered for three months.
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I bloody probably thought it was great.
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Answering the phone, making cups of tea, and then sometimes I'd get to watch them.
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And then after three months, they asked if they could take me on full-time.
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Oh my god.
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So I still had the odd shift at River Island, but they started filtering clients to me.
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And I was about there for about a year then.
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Oh my god.
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So what do you feel like you learnt from doing that?
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Did you build your confidence?
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Did you passively, yeah?
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What was you like?
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Was you quite shy as a teenager?
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Yeah, I mean, I'm an only child, like I only had my poodle to talk to when I was younger.
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Oh.
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Um so yeah, I am shy, but I'm also very chatty.
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I don't know how you'd really describe myself.
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Yeah, because I would say you're a very good, you're like a really warm people person.
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Yeah.
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Like you light up rooms when you walk in, you've got like a nice smile, and you're like nice aura.
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So I can imagine you in that salon.
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I knew, like Connor, my husband's always said, you know, like you've got the ability to go into a room and just you can see things that maybe some people can't, and like, and I he's always said it, and I remember him saying to me, like, what are you gonna do, men?
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I'm like, I don't know.
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So as soon as I stayed at that first initial salon for a year, I felt like I'd learnt so much that I thought, actually, I want this for myself.
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Um, because like there's things that I would change.
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So you wanted a salon.
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You were in that salon, you were like, I want my own space now.
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I outgrew it, I think.
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Wow, yeah.
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What what did you want to change?
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I think you know, 10 years ago, lashes was so new.
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Yeah, there it was this kind of conveyable stigma of clients in, out, in, out.
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Um and I noticed that clients were coming back to me, you know, they'd text me and they'd say, I mean, I absolutely loved seeing you today.
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Not necessarily like I loved my lashes.
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You know, they'd say that when they were at the appointment, but oh, do you know what I feel so much better after seeing you today?
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And I started to think, gosh, I could really make like a little experience out of this.
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You know, if clients coming in and they're saying they feel better than when they came, that's something I'm doing that they're not.
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They're coming for you.
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Yeah.
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Yeah.
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So I really wanted to create a space where clients come in, switch off, it was their time, they felt listened to, but pampered as well.
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Um, and I'm really grateful I worked to that first salon because it's made me who I am today.
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But they were very like conveyor belt in, out, like we'd have ladies wait in, and like yeah.
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And I think you then look at it and go, actually, if I had my own f style, my own touch on it, yeah, I would do this a tiny bit different.
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Like you need them experiences to be like, if I had something I know, I maybe do that the same, but I would tweak that area 100%.
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So, how old were you when you were then thinking about looking for a premises?
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So, funny enough, a year before COVID, me and another Lash friend took on a small studio, a shared space.
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Um eight months in, COVID happened, and we were like, oh my god, we cannot afford you know the rent right now.
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So we closed, and then obviously COVID.
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How did that feel in their moments though?
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Was it I felt like a failure, I think, me personally.
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Yeah, I felt a bit of a failure because I was thinking I knew it wasn't the end for me, but us in the beauty industry, we had no end date, we had no idea how long this was gonna last for.
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Um, and I felt like I was just raring to go, like I just got started.
00:15:53.919 --> 00:16:03.600
Um, so I used COVID as much as I could to find the perfect salon again.
00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:12.399
And my parents are the most supportive parents in the world, but they were a bit like men, like this is not the right time to open a salon.
00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:16.320
I was like, no, I'm gonna do it because when will I have this time off?
00:16:16.559 --> 00:16:16.960
It's true.
00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:17.919
We had like a year and a half.
00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:20.480
To build and to yeah, yeah.
00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:24.000
Um, yeah, now I've been there six years this year.
00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:33.679
So let's talk about where your shop is because if anyone who doesn't know you, your salon is on like a parade of shops, isn't it?
00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:35.360
Yeah, it looks so grand.
00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:42.399
It's back even just looking at if the listeners are looking at your Instagram, you can see you're in like a prime location.
00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:45.759
How how did that just come up?
00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:47.360
What was that process for you?
00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:49.919
Was it like was you just always on right move?
00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:51.200
Is that where you find salons?
00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:52.879
Like, how did that happen?
00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:56.159
Believe it or not, it's a converted hospital.
00:16:56.559 --> 00:17:02.240
No, I'm not gonna give you any dates though, because the parade we watch are like Manola.
00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:08.720
Um, yeah, really old converted hospital, and it's just um two floors of independence.
00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.279
Okay.
00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:13.200
Um, but the vibe is amazing, it's absolutely gorgeous.
00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:15.920
Um, but how did I find it?
00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:26.160
I mean, the parade's always somewhere where I envisioned myself being, you know, I'd walk around, I'd be like, oh my imagine like tall ceilings, big windows, lots of natural light.
00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:30.160
And I initially saw it, it wasn't on the right move, but something like that.
00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:34.720
Online, they were advertising a smaller unit in there downstairs.
00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:36.799
Um, and I said, Mum, I found this.
00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:37.920
Would you come look with me?
00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:40.000
She's like, Yeah, go on, let's go look.
00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:59.440
So we went on our half an hour one walk of the day in COVID, and um I remember we went to the market before and got all our fruit and veg in our one bag, and um went and saw this unit downstairs, and it was really nice, it was really beautiful, but it um was a bit darker than I think I wanted.
00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:02.240
But I thought, Mana, stop being so traumatic.
00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:05.440
Anyway, the guy said, I said, have you got any others available?
00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:10.880
He said, Yeah, we've got one upstairs, it's a men's clothing shop at the moment, but they're I think retiring.
00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:15.279
Um, he said it's probably a bit big, really, Min, for you.
00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:16.799
And I said, Well, can I have a look?
00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:18.720
Oh my god, I just laughed it.
00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:20.319
And this is where you are now, yeah.
00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:25.039
And it was initially three times the size of what I've got now.
00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:27.440
But I was like, could I just take on that section?
00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:29.599
He was like, Yeah, I don't see why not.
00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:33.839
But I mean, Connor always laughs because he's like, How did you see that vision?
00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:42.240
Because it was just men's clothes railings everywhere, it was yellow and red, like mustard yellow and bright, bright red.
00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:44.000
It was gross.
00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:47.759
Whipped for them, obviously, but for my business, I was like, oh my god.
00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:55.599
But I just loved the grandeur of it, like I loved the the lighting, the location.
00:18:55.920 --> 00:19:00.079
Um, and a lot of my so my first studio was in Shrewsbury town centre as well.
00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:11.359
A lot of my um clients were in the town centre, so I wanted to remain there because I remember I made like a poll of if I was to move out of town, would clients come?
00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:13.839
And a lot of them said they would struggle.
00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:17.759
Um, and I lived in town centre as well, so it worked for me.
00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:20.720
And then yeah, I signed the papers there and then I said I'll have it.
00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:23.680
You signed it there and then I said I'm having it.
00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:24.880
So, how did it work then?
00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:27.359
So you had like your section you wanted.
00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:27.759
Yeah.
00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:28.960
So then what did they do?
00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:33.200
Like, is that where they they will like slice the rent?
00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:40.240
Does it how if you can imagine it was three units, but they like knocked through, so you could just walk through the units.
00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:42.640
So what they did is they filled up the door.
00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:52.640
Makes sense, um, yeah, but then I yeah, I don't I really I think I was like 50% delusional and 50% just praying that it worked.
00:19:52.960 --> 00:20:02.079
How did you know, like inside you that like even financially that a salon was the next step?
00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:09.599
I was inundated with messages, so I knew and I had a wait list.
00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:17.359
I worked really hard to create a hype over COVID time that I knew clients would be returning to me.
00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:28.559
Um yeah, I just I I can't say I did now because I didn't know, and it's just a as business, I'm so passionate, I think.
00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:31.200
And you've got to take risks, that's the whole point of business.
00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:40.240
But I always think as I in everyone's journey, I always think like maybe more back then.
00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:44.799
I think maybe the industry's changed where maybe people were not going on to opening salons.
00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:47.279
There was that more salons were closing, weren't there?
00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:52.400
But when I was I looked at a salon in Covid, um, not many people know that, but I did go and have a look.
00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:58.480
It wasn't really it wasn't an actual salon, it was I think it was a computer shop.
00:20:58.640 --> 00:21:15.279
Anyway, it was bright red, walked in there for so smoke, it's not very nice in it, and but it was expense, it was so expensive for Wren where it was, it was in a good location, and then I remember sitting there thinking, like, I didn't walk in and get that feeling.
00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:21.680
Yeah, you know when you walk into a house, yeah, and you go I walked into this house and I was like, Jack, I can live up I'm I'll live in here.
00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:23.279
Yeah, I know where my Christmas tree's going.
00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:24.720
Yeah, you walk, yeah, exactly.
00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:34.559
You walked into that place and you were like I just know, and I think that's whatever that is, yeah, like it overcomes you, and you're like, this is where it needs to be.
00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:39.440
Yeah, but nowadays I don't think that next step is people opening salons.
00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:40.480
No, not necessarily.
00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:45.119
So, what made you feel like you were ready to move on to that chapter?
00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:47.759
Was it because you were so busy before COVID?
00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:59.759
If I'm being really honest, I lived at home and my current setup was working, obviously, I had the previous studio, but I was if I wasn't there, I was working from home again.
00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:06.240
And I didn't have a specific place in the house to give the treatment.
00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:08.400
So I'd be working at my parents' conservatory.
00:22:08.559 --> 00:22:12.079
If it was too hot in the summer, I'd go into their living room and bless them.
00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:13.920
They would just work with me.
00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:15.599
They weren't allowed to hoover.
00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:22.000
They weren't allowed, they like I want because I'd created this experience that people were used to.
00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:26.400
When I moved back home and was working from home, I was literally like in a meltdown.
00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:36.400
And I'm sure they wouldn't have cared, but I was thinking, I just want to not only create like I want them to walk out with these beautiful lashes, but I still want them to have that experience.
00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:40.079
And I and I wanted to create a space where I could do that.
00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:44.160
Um and I think that's what inspired me to do that.
00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:48.400
I mean, yeah, the living room just I outgrew the living room, I think that's what it is.
00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:50.240
And I think so invasive as well.
00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:53.200
And having a space where you go to work is so important.
00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:58.559
Like I know I have the studio in the garden, but I can still I'm 100% out.
00:22:58.720 --> 00:23:06.000
And I used to work in my mum's tiny size boom and get the hoovering, the wash-ins up, and I'm pretty like it down.
00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:11.039
And there will be no if my if like Jack sometimes might put the washing out on a Saturday.
00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:15.519
If I have clients, bear in mind they're like my a friend and my sister.
00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:20.160
I still cringe that because I'm all about experience, same as you.
00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:26.079
But do you think we've become so obsessed with experience?
00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:30.799
Like I used to find myself, if something wasn't right, I'd have a full-long meltdown.
00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:31.279
Oh yeah.
00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:35.119
Like if like my client once said to me, Cash, you know you can put your wash in on the light.
00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:36.480
Because I said to her, I wouldn't I wouldn't dare.
00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:36.960
No, I don't.
00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:37.920
And she was like, What?
00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:44.319
I was like, Because if I went to someone's, if I went for a treatment and I could see their knickers and their socks and their lights, I'd be like, what?
00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:46.160
And she was like, I think you overthink it.
00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:49.440
And I was a bit like But it's not what I want to offer.
00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.640
Yes, that's the thing.
00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:54.640
And I find like I'm nice lashes and nice knickers, I don't want to be known for that.
00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:58.160
Literally, yeah, but that's what I mean.
00:23:58.480 --> 00:24:02.400
Yeah, but then sometimes I'm so feeling like I'm I get in.
00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:05.759
Do I obsess a lot about tiny?
00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:09.359
And maybe that's why we get so me we're so busy.
00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:09.599
Yeah.
00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:17.279
Because you're providing that experience, because we're thinking of the turning point for me was mum and dad's got beautiful house.
00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:27.200
Um, but you had to go through the kitchen, the dining room, um, nearly like the stairs you could see upstairs, and then they had to go through the whole house.
00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:28.079
Having a house tour.
00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:29.599
Having a full-on house tour.
00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:41.119
I mean, like you said, some clients, okay, you don't really mind, but some clients that you've just met, it it was a lot for me, and I like I don't want them seeing my dining room or like my kitchen.
00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:43.200
So yeah, I think that was a big turning point for me.
00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:46.240
And I remember one lady, she was like, Oh, show me around.
00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:47.440
I was like, no.
00:24:48.880 --> 00:24:56.640
Um, yeah, I think I saw potential, it made sense, it made sense, yeah.
00:24:56.960 --> 00:25:01.839
So when you got in there, yeah, was it a lot of work to oh my god, yeah.
00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:04.240
It was, it was so much work.
00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:06.880
There wasn't any money coming in for me.
00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:10.720
Um, so I utilised my family.
00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:16.640
Um, if anyone could hold a hammer, you can do anything, you know, I'd ask them to come and help me.
00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:25.839
But there was something really beautiful, and I still hold myself with so much pride that I built that salon with those who knew the most around me.
00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:34.000
Like I had my nan and grandad in there, like we had afternoon tea, we'd go and they'd have a paintbrush.
00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:45.200
We'd my mum and dad, like my mum would just come and sit in with me, and like we'd just sometimes would just walk into town, go and get our groceries, and we'd just sit in there, and I'd be like, Oh my god, when am I gonna open?
00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:46.799
I can't wait to open.
00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:49.279
Um, so much work, you know.
00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:52.559
We had to knock out units, the whole floor had to come out.
00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:56.960
The floor was down for like 30 years, so we had to get a new floor in.
00:25:57.119 --> 00:26:04.559
We were let down by so many people who um tradies, like just not even showing up.
00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:10.960
Um, but I was very graced with the time because I was thinking, well, I've got all this time, might as well use it.
00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:15.359
It's not like I had I knew I had to be open in two weeks' time, so you didn't have to rush anything.
00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.960
No, and that was the beauty.
00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:25.039
I made mood boards, I put things like there I thought I thought I thought about every intricate detail that I could.
00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:26.160
That's amazing.
00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:32.880
Yeah, was there anything that you went in there and thought, oh, that's unexpected, like anything that there was like a challenge or anything?
00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:42.319
We found all sorts because the building is so old, yeah, you know, part of the flooring was concrete, the other side was was wood.
00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:46.079
So the floor man was like, Well, I'm gonna have to do this, this is gonna take me even longer now.
00:26:46.160 --> 00:26:47.519
I was thinking, oh my god.
00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:54.240
You know, we found all sorts in the floor, we found crisp packets behind like lighting.
00:26:54.400 --> 00:27:04.000
We we saw that the last tenant was sticking stuff to the wall which are then plasterable, like and these are all unexpected things you do not expect at the start.
00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:07.920
Because obviously, your budgeting for like your business is can I do this?
00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:12.240
I thought, yeah, yeah, I was delusional, Caris.
00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:14.000
Was it more expensive than you thought?
00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:15.039
Yeah, 100%.
00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:17.599
Yeah, of course it was, yeah.
00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:24.079
Um, yeah, and that's when I opened, I just was a w workhorse.
00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:28.960
I worked so many hours to pay back what I'd owed.
00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:29.920
Was it just you?
00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:31.279
At the beginning, yeah.
00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.559
Okay, yeah.
00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:36.319
I knew I didn't want this big salon filled with loads of people.
00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:40.960
I think I've got yeah, I've got a maximum of two beds, I could probably get a third bed in there.
00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:44.559
But you actually like that privacy, which I think is very special.
00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:46.160
Yeah, I agree.
00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:47.039
Yeah.
00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:50.559
Um what was it like getting them keys for the first time?
00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:53.200
Yeah, I remember me and mum and dad got fish and chips.
00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:59.279
We sat on the floor and I just couldn't it to think that's mine.
00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:03.839
Like this is my little like safe space, my workplace.
00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:06.240
I I I felt really grown up actually.
00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:07.039
That's amazing.
00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:12.400
No, because even when you get your name on the door, like that that is yours, yeah.
00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:18.559
It is it's a mega feeling, um, but such a huge sense of achievement, definitely.
00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:21.279
I just needed the go-ahead to open, I suppose.
00:28:21.599 --> 00:28:25.839
It's amazing, honestly, because it looks incredible.
00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:26.960
Thank you.
00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:34.799
Before we get back into today's episode, I just wanted to quickly tell you something really exciting from Beauty Rules.
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00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:44.960
Now, let's get it back into today's episode.
00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:50.160
When was the moment when you were like, okay, I feel okay to have people in?
00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:53.680
Like having a staff, because you've got someone working for you, right?
00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.000
Yeah.
00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:57.599
So when did you was it years into having the space?
00:29:58.559 --> 00:30:05.200
I'd say about a year in, I thought, I'm so inundated with you know clients.
00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:10.079
Um, I was in demand in the sense of I felt like I couldn't take time off.
00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:12.559
You know, well, when are you gonna do my lashes?
00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:14.240
Because I'm due here and you're away.
00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:21.279
So I thought if I can train someone up um and have them in the studio and help me out a bit, then great.
00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:25.759
Maybe be in the studio when I'm not there, maybe be in the studio when I am there.
00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:33.519
Um, and that was a thing, like being a lash artist and running a salon are like two different things.
00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:38.720
I soon thought, okay, it's like starting from scratch now.
00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.480
Explain what you mean.
00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:41.119
What was it?
00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:50.400
I think when you rent a chair out, you know, no one's gonna love your space as much as you do, and you do learn the hard way.
00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:59.920
Like, I I will admit I am such a perfectionist, like I'm not one of these people that can drop something and think, oh, I'll get it later.
00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:03.920
Like, I'm there with the dust pan and brush, I'm there spraying constantly.
00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:07.519
Like, if I've had a sausage roll, like no one will know about it.
00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:08.319
Do you know what I mean?
00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:31.359
Where they're like, I'd had a few girls come in and run to bed, and they'd get across like morning men, and like you could literally, it's like handsome gratel, you could like see where they'd been, and I'd be there like and I remember Connor saying, like, just tell them, like, maybe they just don't know, and bless them, they they don't see what I see, but when it's your baby, you know, you think and you do have to swallow your pride a little bit sometimes.
00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:37.759
You do have to think, like, right, it's a running salon, it can't be perfect all the time, but that's what I wanted to strive for.
00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:39.519
Been very lucky.
00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:44.720
Um, the other girls I've had working in there have stayed with me for quite a few years.
00:31:44.880 --> 00:31:47.759
Like, I've got Lucian at the moment, she's been with me for four years.
00:31:47.839 --> 00:31:48.720
I trained her.
00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:50.000
Oh, amazing.
00:31:50.160 --> 00:31:52.640
So, um, and she's doing amazing.
00:31:53.359 --> 00:31:55.359
Um, yeah.
00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:57.839
But you do have to.
00:31:58.079 --> 00:32:00.640
I mean, I it's close proximity in my salon.
00:32:00.799 --> 00:32:15.200
Like, you do have to look for someone who's good at what they do, but who you vibe with, who can pick up when maybe like my clientele's probably 25 to 45, maybe a bit more maturer.
00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:17.759
I'd say we definitely have more mature clients.
00:32:17.839 --> 00:32:23.200
So I need to make sure that their conversation is appropriate for my conversations that I'm having.
00:32:23.359 --> 00:32:32.640
Um, I've had it before when they've been talking quite inappropriately, and I've had to obviously have difficult conversations because you have a bed and a bed next to each other.
00:32:32.880 --> 00:32:35.759
So to your lashing, really out of my comfort zone, yeah.
00:32:35.920 --> 00:32:38.880
Because I am just not confrontational at all.
00:32:39.359 --> 00:32:43.839
But it's something I felt passionate about, so I had to have that conversation with them.
00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:46.880
I'm very lucky, like I said, it's not something that's happened regularly.
00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:48.400
How did they handle it?
00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:53.920
I think they were quite shocked because that's like how they run their business, but they were they were.
00:32:54.079 --> 00:32:55.920
I think there's a way you approach things.
00:32:56.079 --> 00:33:02.240
I think at the end of the day, we're all humans, we can all make mistakes, and there was no malice in her behaviour.
00:33:02.400 --> 00:33:04.000
It was just she just didn't realise.
00:33:04.400 --> 00:33:14.559
And sometimes you're you can get you know what it's like, you can get so carried away in conversations with your clients, and we talk about all sorts, but sometimes it's just not appropriate if you're sharing a space, yeah.
00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:22.079
And that is something that I learned very quickly that no one's going to treat your space how necessarily you would.
00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:28.880
Um, so yeah, it's all about just getting to know the person before they come into your space, especially if it's shared.
00:33:29.119 --> 00:33:30.880
And are you having them self-employed?
00:33:31.039 --> 00:33:31.279
Yes.
00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:36.319
So they come in, they are basically just renting your space and giving you money for that.
00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:38.240
Do you think you prefer that?
00:33:38.400 --> 00:33:46.640
Would you ever done would have ever done employed or I've never wanted to, no, I've never had that urge to.
00:33:47.359 --> 00:34:05.440
I think, especially now, um, that people obviously like we all are all out for themselves, and I think I've had it before, I've trained someone up and they'll always move on, like I did, like they're always gonna move on and do their own thing.
00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:23.440
But I mean Lucy's been with me for four years now, and I I think it's you know, small things like she comes in and it is pristine every day, and but not only that, she said something to me a few weeks ago because uh her husband said to her, Why are you still going to Manola's?
00:34:23.599 --> 00:34:28.480
Like, you know, she's one of my best friends, so I don't mind her saying this to me, but why are you still going to Manola's?
00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:30.800
Like, you've got a salon at home, Lucy.
00:34:31.280 --> 00:34:48.400
And she said to me that she said to her husband, honestly, if you saw the way Manola interacted with her clients, like I want to learn that it makes me a better artist, me a better um what word am I looking for?
00:34:48.719 --> 00:34:56.400
It makes them better as well, more professional, like she's like, it's so motivating to see what Manola's like with her clients.
00:34:56.480 --> 00:35:01.679
And I thought I sat there and she was telling me I could not believe she said that to me.
00:35:02.320 --> 00:35:14.800
And I thought, wow, like that's why she's been with me for four years, is because and also going somewhere different, like if she works from home, yeah, if she's going to yours, it's also a beautiful environment working with you.
00:35:15.199 --> 00:35:16.880
She says she likes getting out of the house as well.
00:35:17.039 --> 00:35:26.159
She likes coming to a salon where she doesn't have to be mum, and like she can come and be in like a girly environment with her clients.
00:35:26.400 --> 00:35:30.000
So, yeah, I think there's a lot to be said about that, really.
00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:32.079
And also learning from you.
00:35:32.239 --> 00:35:41.039
Like, I always find that if you're in a if you go into a salon like you did when you first volunteered into that salon at the beginning, you're being moulded by that person, yeah.
00:35:41.199 --> 00:35:48.800
And I feel like that is priceless, yeah, like it's invaluable being around someone that you like and you're inspired to be like.
00:35:48.880 --> 00:36:02.320
Like when I used to work in a salon, I there was this one girl who moulded me an apprentice of 17, and I used to watch her mannerisms, I used to watch her how she interacts with clients, shadow her with clients, see how she was.
00:36:02.400 --> 00:36:10.079
And I remember sitting there thinking, I really want to be she was everyone wanted to be I feel that you find yourself talking almost the way they do as well.
00:36:10.239 --> 00:36:17.280
Like you're picking up, yeah, on their body language, the way they interact with clients, and I can see Lucy doing that, you know, and then you just think, Wow, what a compliment.
00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:18.320
Yes, amazing then.
00:36:18.639 --> 00:36:20.800
Honestly, you should be really proud of yourself of what you've created.
00:36:21.119 --> 00:36:21.519
Thank you.
00:36:21.760 --> 00:36:30.000
With the salon itself, was there any challenges or anything that you found now that you're like running a salon is hard?
00:36:30.880 --> 00:36:33.119
Uh yeah, there is, there is.
00:36:33.280 --> 00:36:44.480
I that when you're running a salon, you're you know, just because the treatment's finished doesn't mean work has.
00:36:45.760 --> 00:36:50.880
Um, and it's very like when you first start when you're having to work all these hours again.
00:36:51.440 --> 00:36:59.599
Like I opened the salon and I thought, if I'm going to become established, I need to become available, like I need to be here open so people can see me.
00:36:59.760 --> 00:37:16.559
Um, and it wasn't until and I was working until 10 o'clock at night, you know, I was missing family events, I was missing really special times with Connor and friends, and I remember him saying to me, Do I need to book an appointment to see you?
00:37:16.960 --> 00:37:21.199
And I it really like hit home, and I was like, Oh my god, no, you don't.
00:37:21.519 --> 00:37:25.119
Because I remember him picking me up and he it was bomb fire night.
00:37:25.199 --> 00:37:29.360
And he was like, If we go now, I can catch the last five minutes of the fireworks.
00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:42.000
And I remember thinking, like, this is just not sustainable, this is not healthy, and a successful business doesn't mean that you need to work every hour on under the sun.
00:37:42.159 --> 00:37:46.800
You know, my health was way more important, so it was a bit of a wake-up call for me, really.
00:37:47.039 --> 00:37:57.440
It's like um I had a guest on Gemma who said that you don't own a business to work 24-7, and I think when you run your own business, we fall into that trap.
00:37:57.679 --> 00:37:58.400
100%, yeah.
00:37:58.800 --> 00:38:00.639
Working all the time.
00:38:01.280 --> 00:38:02.159
It's a hard one.
00:38:02.320 --> 00:38:03.760
I mean, do you feel like you've got more balance?
00:38:04.079 --> 00:38:05.920
What what did you do to structure that?
00:38:06.639 --> 00:38:11.360
Um I gave myself working hours for a start and stuck to them.
00:38:11.840 --> 00:38:15.840
Um, and I'm not gonna sit here and pretend I'm perfect, I still go for those working hours.
00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:17.440
I'm a lot better than I used to be.
00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:18.159
Yeah.
00:38:18.400 --> 00:38:24.239
Um I've just taken on another girl for weekends and I'm hoping to take someone else on.
00:38:24.400 --> 00:38:28.639
So I'm delegating a lot more and passing on trade a lot more than I used to.
00:38:29.199 --> 00:38:37.119
Um yeah, there was lots of things to consider really with the salon.
00:38:37.760 --> 00:38:45.920
I think one of the biggest things would be you're having to be in everything.
00:38:46.079 --> 00:38:47.679
I think you said this in the podcast the other day.
00:38:47.840 --> 00:39:02.320
You're having to be so much more than the lash artist that I was maybe when the first salon I worked in, you know, you're doing marketing, social media, your cleaning, you're doing the stock.
00:39:03.360 --> 00:39:06.639
Um I just can't keep up with that anymore.
00:39:07.360 --> 00:39:12.800
So yeah, I have days now where I'll go and clean, I'll have a day, I'll block time out, and that's all you can do.
00:39:13.039 --> 00:39:16.079
And I actually, when I'm at the salon now, I don't I don't resent it.
00:39:16.239 --> 00:39:21.840
I want to be there because I have done all because otherwise I'm looking around thinking, well, I haven't done that, I haven't done that, I haven't done that.
00:39:22.159 --> 00:39:27.039
Did you get to a point where you were resenting it because of the time like missing out with Connor, missing out with family, friends?
00:39:27.440 --> 00:39:27.920
Yeah, it did.
00:39:28.400 --> 00:39:31.440
You kind of thought, like, actually, this is not why I got this.
00:39:31.760 --> 00:39:33.199
Yeah, yeah.
00:39:33.360 --> 00:39:38.000
I think you know, I opened it when I was 21, I think I was.
00:39:38.159 --> 00:39:38.320
Yeah.
00:39:38.480 --> 00:39:39.280
You're young.
00:39:39.679 --> 00:39:48.079
So I think I had a bit of you know, I was young, I could I could hack, but then it got to a point where I was just working way too much.
00:39:48.639 --> 00:40:07.119
Do you find having a salon you're finding like because I I mean, because I haven't got my own salon, my instant mind is like, you have your own salon, are you gonna be earning much more because you've got this premises like you know when you it's like a it's an it's a salon and you've got people in and out.
00:40:07.280 --> 00:40:07.599
Yeah.
00:40:07.760 --> 00:40:15.840
Did you find that that was the case of like you going in and you're do you find that you're financially better off having the salon?
00:40:16.320 --> 00:40:23.199
I was literally talking about this with Connor on the way up, and it was a conversation I had to have myself with myself six years ago.
00:40:23.280 --> 00:40:26.880
Like, if I'm gonna have this salon and it's gonna work for me, I need to put my prices up.
00:40:26.960 --> 00:40:34.880
And like that when lashes first came around, like they were like£20 a set,£30, oh my god, I'd never spend£30 on a set.
00:40:34.960 --> 00:40:45.599
But I thought if this is going to work and I believe in myself and this business that I'm gonna create, I need to put my prices up, I need to charge a rate that I can make this work.
00:40:45.840 --> 00:40:46.239
Yeah.
00:40:46.400 --> 00:40:53.599
Um, if I want to, you know, provide such a premium service, um, people have got to pay for that.
00:40:53.840 --> 00:41:03.280
Um I mean, where I am, it's not extortionate rates because um we don't have any like oh what do you call it?
00:41:04.079 --> 00:41:07.519
Well, rates with those rates, and the room rates, isn't it?
00:41:07.599 --> 00:41:08.000
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:41:08.159 --> 00:41:11.280
Yeah, so we don't have any of that, but yeah, it's hard.
00:41:11.599 --> 00:41:19.199
Um, and there were some months where maybe you know, you'd think, oh, I've only just paid my rent this month.
00:41:19.519 --> 00:41:24.239
Um, there was that worry of like, how am I gonna get clients to come through the door?
00:41:24.639 --> 00:41:34.960
And but I you have to have a conversation with yourself and say, like, one bad day in your week can't affect the whole month, yeah, or like the entire business itself.
00:41:35.119 --> 00:41:37.519
You have to pick yourself up and you have to just keep going.
00:41:37.599 --> 00:41:40.639
Because I had a lease, I had you know, a three-year lease.
00:41:40.960 --> 00:41:43.920
There was no time for me to feel sorry for myself.
00:41:44.159 --> 00:41:55.599
And when you're working now, are you still feeling like you're I know you've got your set hours, but do you feel like you're still having to work a lot to cover the rent and stuff?
00:41:55.679 --> 00:41:59.519
And or just because you're just doing like so many clients.
00:41:59.679 --> 00:42:02.400
Do you think you could maybe step away a little bit?
00:42:02.559 --> 00:42:04.000
I'm ready to step away a little bit, yeah.
00:42:04.159 --> 00:42:06.719
Oh, how exciting! I'm ready to step away 100%.
00:42:07.360 --> 00:42:10.320
Um, very lucky, like a London Ash trainer.
00:42:10.719 --> 00:42:13.679
So I do do mentoring training in the salon.
00:42:14.159 --> 00:42:17.199
Um, and obviously the girls are working more in the salon.
00:42:17.280 --> 00:42:18.880
I'm finally letting go a little bit.
00:42:19.119 --> 00:42:19.840
It's me, it's me.
00:42:21.679 --> 00:42:24.639
Letting go a smidge better now, yeah.
00:42:24.800 --> 00:42:25.679
A lot better now.
00:42:25.920 --> 00:42:27.280
What made you better?
00:42:27.679 --> 00:42:29.599
When was what what made you go okay?
00:42:29.679 --> 00:42:30.480
I'm actually okay with that.
00:42:30.559 --> 00:42:32.239
Just because the girls have been there for quite a while?
00:42:32.400 --> 00:42:32.880
Maybe.
00:42:33.039 --> 00:42:35.360
I honestly think it's me though.
00:42:35.440 --> 00:42:39.119
Like I think I've maybe chilled out a bit.
00:42:39.360 --> 00:42:42.480
Maybe you now know what life you want for yourself, perhaps.
00:42:42.719 --> 00:42:44.159
And what's more important, probably?
00:42:44.320 --> 00:42:47.119
Yeah, because I think you kind of like you do this hard work.
00:42:47.199 --> 00:42:47.519
Yeah.
00:42:47.679 --> 00:42:54.400
I mean you you're 28, you get to a point where you're like, actually, I don't want to be working until 9 pm at night.
00:42:54.559 --> 00:42:55.199
Do you know what I mean?
00:42:55.440 --> 00:42:55.599
Yeah.
00:42:55.760 --> 00:43:01.119
So you do have that little maybe realisation that actually it's okay to let go a little bit.
00:43:01.360 --> 00:43:02.400
Let go of a little snooch.
00:43:02.800 --> 00:43:11.199
Before we carry on, I want to quickly tell you about the Back to Business online conference happening on the 15th and 16th of September.
00:43:12.079 --> 00:43:21.840
And I actually think this is something so many of us in the beauty industry need because I've been guilty of it myself.
00:43:22.719 --> 00:43:31.760
I spent years mastering my craft, making sure my client experience was the best it could be, and constantly improving my skills.
00:43:32.000 --> 00:43:40.719
But when it came to certain areas of actually running a business, I didn't always have a clue on what I was doing.
00:43:40.880 --> 00:43:45.599
I undercharged for a really long time, putting my prices up used to scare me.
00:43:45.760 --> 00:43:54.559
I'd create something I knew was good, and then think, okay, but how am I actually gonna market this and get sales, you know?
00:43:54.960 --> 00:43:59.760
And eventually I realized that being good at what you do and know.
00:44:00.400 --> 00:44:08.239
How to build a successful, profitable business are actually two completely different skill sets.
00:44:08.480 --> 00:44:13.599
That's why I really love what Laura Dunner has created with the Back to Business conference.
00:44:13.760 --> 00:44:25.840
She's bringing together our experts in marketing, sales, mindset, leadership, teams, and business to teach us the things that go beyond the actual treatment.
00:44:26.159 --> 00:44:40.400
And this isn't just for lash artists, whether you're in nails, brows, hair, massage, lashes, spray tanning, or any other area of the beauty industry, there is something here for you.
00:44:40.719 --> 00:44:45.760
It's a two-day online conference on the 15th and the 16th of September.
00:44:46.000 --> 00:44:52.400
If you would like to attend the Back to Business conference, I have an exclusive discount code just for you.
00:44:52.639 --> 00:44:56.159
Use code BYON10 for 10% off the tickets.
00:44:56.400 --> 00:45:03.920
What I'll do is I'll leave the discount code in the description so you can copy and paste it and grab your ticket.
00:45:04.159 --> 00:45:11.199
I'm so excited for this conference and I'm attending it myself, so I look really I really look forward to seeing you there.
00:45:11.519 --> 00:45:14.639
Now let's get back into today's episode.
00:45:14.880 --> 00:45:20.719
So if anyone's listening and they're like, Min, I really want to open a salon, that's my next movie.
00:45:20.800 --> 00:45:21.840
I've been thinking about it.
00:45:22.000 --> 00:45:24.239
Yeah, what would you say to them?
00:45:24.559 --> 00:45:36.159
Or say if someone, if someone's talking to you and you're like, you're ready, yeah, but then if someone else was talking to you and you're like they're not ready, what would make someone ready to have a salon and what wouldn't?
00:45:36.480 --> 00:45:42.639
I think it's gotta fit into your lifestyle.
00:45:43.760 --> 00:45:46.159
Do you want to go to another premises?
00:45:46.320 --> 00:45:49.360
Do you want to, you know, I'm there at 45?
00:45:49.599 --> 00:45:53.440
I mean, this might just be me, but I'm there 45 minutes an hour before I open.
00:45:53.599 --> 00:45:55.920
So obviously that hell you're not getting paid for.
00:45:56.239 --> 00:45:58.239
You know, does it fit into your lifestyle?
00:45:58.480 --> 00:46:04.239
Do you want a premises that is maybe a bit further away from your home?
00:46:04.719 --> 00:46:10.079
Um do they need to have a strong clientele before they go in there?
00:46:10.239 --> 00:46:10.639
100%.
00:46:11.199 --> 00:46:13.280
Do they need to be established in the world?
00:46:13.440 --> 00:46:21.360
Yeah, I was gonna agree on you need to be an established business, I'd say, to make it work and not to sign yourself.
00:46:21.440 --> 00:46:25.039
I think one of the biggest things is not to sign yourself into this like six-year lease.
00:46:25.199 --> 00:46:29.119
I think that would be my one of my biggest pieces of advice.
00:46:29.280 --> 00:46:32.639
Um, see if you can get something for 12, 18 months.
00:46:32.880 --> 00:46:35.760
Um see if you like it, see if you like it, yeah.
00:46:36.000 --> 00:46:40.480
Because it is an adjustment, it's a huge adjustment, but it is the best thing I've ever done.
00:46:40.719 --> 00:46:48.239
But for me, I felt ready because I had a strong client base, I was fully booked, I couldn't fit anyone else in.
00:46:48.559 --> 00:46:50.960
Um, and I loved that space.
00:46:51.039 --> 00:46:53.360
I there there I wasn't looking anywhere else.
00:46:53.440 --> 00:46:56.480
Yeah, I really wasn't, it felt right, yeah, yeah.
00:46:56.800 --> 00:47:03.360
So, someone listening, strong clientele, make sure that strong personal brand.
00:47:03.920 --> 00:47:17.679
Um, and like give if you feel like you can give your clients something that makes them want to come to you, because I feel like with you, you found something that was missing, and that was clientele.
00:47:17.920 --> 00:47:18.960
I think that's what I'm trying to say.
00:47:19.199 --> 00:47:24.480
Like your why of having your salon was because you wanted to create a space.
00:47:24.719 --> 00:47:30.239
I'm not putting the words in your mouth, but this is what I've been from what we've been talking about from you just being a volunteer.
00:47:30.320 --> 00:47:32.719
You said you saw things that were missing, yeah.
00:47:32.880 --> 00:47:38.320
And actually, then taking what everything you've learned that was great, but also the little things that go, I'll do that better.
00:47:38.400 --> 00:47:42.159
Yeah, you're then creating your your salon was a wire.
00:47:42.239 --> 00:47:42.559
Yeah, yeah.
00:47:42.719 --> 00:47:43.760
Maybe they need a wire.
00:47:43.920 --> 00:47:50.639
Yeah, maybe it's not just I'd love to sit here and say this is what they've got to do, but it's different, isn't it?
00:47:50.880 --> 00:47:55.760
I just felt so passionate and I saw the potential in that unit and in myself.
00:47:56.000 --> 00:47:58.719
Like I did really believe in myself.
00:47:58.960 --> 00:48:03.679
Like, I believed I could do it, I really didn't, and you're absolutely thriving.
00:48:03.920 --> 00:48:16.639
Um I want yeah, I really wanted to create a space where people could come, they could relax, they could switch off, and I've become really obsessed with this.
00:48:16.719 --> 00:48:19.119
Like, have you heard like of this third space?
00:48:19.840 --> 00:48:21.119
People talk about this third space.
00:48:21.360 --> 00:48:27.039
So it's like this idea that there's your home, there's work, and then there's a third space.
00:48:27.280 --> 00:48:37.440
So, like, it's the idea of creating that third space, this like place where people can come and they can totally switch off.
00:48:37.599 --> 00:48:44.400
You know, they're not working, they're not cleaning, they're just being pampered for.
00:48:44.559 --> 00:48:56.960
And it's that idea of like, I'm creating that third space that they want to go, they're putting an anchor in their diaries because they're thinking, brilliant, on the 12th of August, I get to go and be pampered with Panola.
00:48:57.199 --> 00:49:10.239
So it's more like they're looking forward to coming and relaxing in my space, and I feel like that's the hook, that's the you know, I'm not just getting an infill, I'm having time for myself.
00:49:10.559 --> 00:49:13.199
Because it's so much more than the treatment, yeah, 100%.
00:49:13.519 --> 00:49:16.400
And you are creating that space for them, that a little getting.
00:49:16.719 --> 00:49:28.480
I really like that idea because I feel like that's something that I have been trying to create is that third space where people can come and just switch off and escape, like a ritual, yeah, every three, four weeks, a routine.
00:49:28.880 --> 00:49:32.239
I'm creating that, I'm I'm creating the permission to stop.
00:49:32.880 --> 00:49:35.599
Like, I'm giving them the permission to stop.
00:49:36.000 --> 00:50:08.559
They're like they're making and they go, Oh, yeah, like the whole body just you know, like you know what it's like you go to the hairdresser, you're still on your phone, go to the nails, like you're still looking at your phone, but when you're having your lashes done or your brows, like I feel like they can't do anything, and that's yeah, that's like a it's a really special moment, and I think we don't all realise that actually we're so much more than like the service providers, like everything you're doing is creating something for them just to have time out, yeah.
00:50:09.119 --> 00:50:13.360
But it's uh it's so special how you're creating that for them, yeah.
00:50:13.519 --> 00:50:18.239
And sometimes you might not even realise how much you that how much that means to them 100%.
00:50:18.559 --> 00:50:33.760
So, for example, I've got a cleaner who cleans our house every Thursday, and I say to her, she was upping her prices, and I said, Up your pri I will pay because you do not realise how much that mentally helps me walking into the house and it being spotless.
00:50:34.639 --> 00:50:41.199
She doesn't realise how much she does for me, but when you go to a treatment, they don't you probably don't realise how much you do for them.
00:50:41.280 --> 00:50:49.599
Like they mentally they're switching off from their like I don't know, busy lives, children, and maybe relationships.
00:50:49.760 --> 00:50:51.360
Yeah, it's very, very special.
00:50:52.000 --> 00:51:07.360
Your lash business is um or your beauty business is mostly relationship building, like you're literally, you know, making relationships with people, and that third space isn't always calm and relaxing.
00:51:07.440 --> 00:51:13.760
You know, some people would come in and their their idea of that third space might be talking, chatting, catching up with you.
00:51:13.920 --> 00:51:16.239
Um, and that's where we're a bit of chameleon, really.
00:51:16.320 --> 00:51:20.480
We evolve and we change as beauty um beauty therapists, I suppose.
00:51:20.639 --> 00:51:21.440
We are good at that.
00:51:21.920 --> 00:51:29.519
I find that I have some that want to just chill, yeah, some that want to talk to me, and you do find yourself you can switch it out.
00:51:29.760 --> 00:51:30.159
100%.
00:51:30.480 --> 00:51:34.800
I've got clients that will come in, and me and them will just bounce off each other for the whole hour.
00:51:35.440 --> 00:51:41.519
And then the next one, um, I'm in the town centre, it is quite quiet, but it can be a little bit loud sometimes.
00:51:41.599 --> 00:51:50.000
So I've got headphones that they put on, um, like relaxing spa music, and that's their third space, that's their time out, and like yeah, I love that.
00:51:50.079 --> 00:51:55.280
I love that I'm creating that space, and I love it when clients fall asleep, you know, when they're like, I'm so sorry I snored.
00:51:55.360 --> 00:51:56.559
I'm like such a compliment.
00:51:57.280 --> 00:51:58.239
Like, don't worry about it.
00:51:58.320 --> 00:51:59.519
I'm so in the zone anyway.
00:51:59.679 --> 00:52:02.400
Yeah, sometimes I even don't even think it's such a compliment.
00:52:02.559 --> 00:52:04.960
Yeah, I love a little snore, and I think you've done your job.
00:52:05.199 --> 00:52:09.760
Yeah, because they're comfy enough to let their body relax.
00:52:10.639 --> 00:52:20.800
I actually want to talk to you about um the salon interior and the vibe that you create, but before we move on, I just wanted to quickly ask you about the salon.
00:52:20.880 --> 00:52:24.480
Yeah, is there ever a time you fell out fell out of love with it?
00:52:24.960 --> 00:52:28.719
There was never a time where I fell out of love with it.
00:52:29.360 --> 00:52:31.920
I think so I got married last September.
00:52:32.159 --> 00:52:33.119
Congratulations.
00:52:33.360 --> 00:52:49.760
Thank you, and I found it overwhelming running the salon and preparing for this massive time of my life, like period of my life, and but I was lucky enough that I could step back.
00:52:50.639 --> 00:52:53.440
Um, the girls would maybe pick up some more clients for me.
00:52:53.519 --> 00:52:58.320
So it was running, it was, but I I did kind of question myself like my lease was coming to an end.
00:52:58.480 --> 00:53:05.599
So I had that my six-year lease, which is this year, wow, and I had to make the decision last year of like whether to renew it.
00:53:05.679 --> 00:53:08.000
And I remember thinking, like, do I renew it?
00:53:08.079 --> 00:53:12.239
Like, I feel really overwhelmed with the wedding, and am I ready to move on?
00:53:12.400 --> 00:53:15.840
Am I ready to you know build something maybe at home?
00:53:16.400 --> 00:53:19.920
But my passion is still there for that salon.
00:53:20.079 --> 00:53:26.800
Um, I've built my entire business from that unit, um, and I'm not ready to.
00:53:27.199 --> 00:53:31.039
I think what I'm doing at the moment is I'm rebranding.
00:53:31.280 --> 00:53:34.239
I think it might have felt just a little bit dated.
00:53:34.320 --> 00:53:36.400
So making some changes in the salon.
00:53:36.639 --> 00:53:40.400
That's another thing that you have to constantly think ahead.
00:53:40.559 --> 00:53:44.880
Um, but yeah, I think it I just needed to find my little spark again.
00:53:44.960 --> 00:53:45.920
I think that's what it was.
00:53:46.079 --> 00:53:48.559
And I think actually, what could I be excited about?
00:53:48.800 --> 00:53:53.760
You saying that is very relatable because I think a lot of us can lose our spark a bit.
00:53:54.159 --> 00:53:55.920
And I feel like maybe we're not very open about that.
00:53:56.000 --> 00:54:00.159
Like I've had moments where I'm a bit like I feel like I'm just lashing every day.
00:54:00.239 --> 00:54:02.400
That's that's how you feel like be repetitive.
00:54:02.639 --> 00:54:04.880
I don't know, I'm still so passionate about it.
00:54:04.960 --> 00:54:11.440
Yeah, yeah, I feel like my spark and maybe my bit of like whoa just did, and then it goes back again.
00:54:11.679 --> 00:54:15.920
You've hit the nail on the head because it was like, right, I qualify to be a lash artist.
00:54:16.079 --> 00:54:16.480
What do I want?
00:54:16.559 --> 00:54:26.480
I'm gonna work in a salon tick, and then after that salon, I'm gonna open my own space, did that, then I opened my own salon, and then you feel a bit like well I've achieved like what do I do now?
00:54:26.639 --> 00:54:29.440
Like, what is it that I strive to now?
00:54:29.760 --> 00:54:33.280
And I think it's okay to not always be clear on that, you know.
00:54:33.360 --> 00:54:41.599
Like the past year I've really enjoyed being at the salon, and like that isn't a massive achievement in itself.
00:54:41.760 --> 00:54:49.840
I think there's so much pressure these days to always be achieving and and actually like I just I love what I do.
00:54:50.159 --> 00:54:56.079
And why is it why does it always feel like that is doesn't seem enough for people?
00:54:56.159 --> 00:54:56.320
Yeah.
00:54:56.480 --> 00:54:56.960
Do you know what?
00:54:57.039 --> 00:55:03.199
I once had a client, amazing hairdresser, honestly, and I said to her, You should train people, like you're so good.
00:55:03.280 --> 00:55:06.559
And she went, Caris, training is not for me.
00:55:06.719 --> 00:55:08.000
I'm happy as I am.
00:55:08.079 --> 00:55:13.760
Yeah, and I I was like behind her on the bed, and I like stopped mid-lash, and I was like, Well, that's really refreshing.
00:55:13.920 --> 00:55:14.480
Do you know what I mean?
00:55:14.639 --> 00:55:16.320
Because she Because surely that's the next step.
00:55:16.719 --> 00:55:20.639
Because surely that's what you want to go on and do, and that's what that surely that's what no, yeah.
00:55:20.960 --> 00:55:23.039
Because for us, we're like goal, goal, go, go.
00:55:23.280 --> 00:55:41.599
Yeah, but actually, she was like, No, I do my clients, I go home, I go on my holidays, um, she prices herself really well, and I just sat there thinking, lovely, actually, that is so refreshing because why don't you just enjoy it where you're at instead of keep going all the time, we're chasing all the time, yeah.
00:55:41.760 --> 00:55:57.679
And I feel like yes, it's good to be ambitious, but we maybe feel like we're losing our spark because we haven't maybe got this next goal, but actually, maybe we're just should be enjoying pausing and just looking.
00:55:57.920 --> 00:56:02.159
Yeah, I think so, and I think that's what that period of me getting married kind of did.
00:56:02.239 --> 00:56:08.960
I was like, but I had the beauty of going on holiday for nearly four weeks, and the salon still ran.
00:56:09.280 --> 00:56:10.400
Isn't that amazing?
00:56:10.559 --> 00:56:18.880
That's amazing that I've done that, I've created that, and I remember having a good talk with myself, like, no, this salon is for you, this is where you need to be.
00:56:19.119 --> 00:56:33.360
Don't give up on her, like, you know, so and I'm established there, you know, people know where I am that now, but yeah, it's just finding your spark again and always just finding something that makes you wanna excited.
00:56:33.599 --> 00:56:34.719
Yeah, makes you want to be excited.
00:56:34.960 --> 00:56:39.119
Sometimes that's like even going on like um a course in something that you're already doing, yeah.
00:56:39.199 --> 00:56:43.039
You're but you're loving it, yeah, but you just further your education it re-lights the fire.
00:56:43.199 --> 00:56:43.519
Exactly.
00:56:43.599 --> 00:56:44.719
Yeah, that doesn't stop, yeah.
00:56:44.880 --> 00:56:55.519
No, so I feel like that maybe gives you a little bit of spark, but maybe we worry so much about if where we are is the right place, but actually we just maybe just need to relight what we're passionate about, yeah.
00:56:55.679 --> 00:56:59.519
And your salon is what you're passionate about, so it's just like you said, rebranding, yeah.
00:56:59.679 --> 00:57:01.679
So let's talk about then the interior.
00:57:01.920 --> 00:57:14.400
Okay, so if anyone's seen Minola's beautiful salon, it is on luxurious, it's classy, you've got them beautiful beds that you just want to look like, you just want to I'd be on them all the time.
00:57:14.639 --> 00:57:19.039
Like when you were thinking about your interior, what are the small touches?
00:57:19.360 --> 00:57:23.760
If anyone's listening and like, I really want to better my experience, what have you done?
00:57:24.079 --> 00:57:38.960
So you've obviously got the aesthetic of the salon, so you've got the curved beds, the blankets, the heated blankets, and then you've got the gold chandelier, like it aesthetically beautiful, and I think it does make a huge difference.
00:57:39.199 --> 00:57:47.360
I think it's part of my brand, but you want to make changes that feel intentional to you and to your brand and to your business.
00:57:47.599 --> 00:57:53.840
Like, I sounds really cringe, but like I want everything to be perfect.
00:57:53.920 --> 00:57:55.760
So I'm thinking like right, the senses.
00:57:55.840 --> 00:58:01.920
So when someone walks into your space, I want them thinking the first thing that they walk in, wow, it smells nice.
00:58:02.159 --> 00:58:03.599
What smells has she got going on?
00:58:03.679 --> 00:58:08.719
So, you know, essential oils, diffusers, room sprays, touch.
00:58:08.960 --> 00:58:10.559
I want it looking really clinical.
00:58:10.639 --> 00:58:13.840
But when they got on that bed, I want them to think they're on a cloud.
00:58:13.920 --> 00:58:19.920
So I've got like memory foam, I've got um weighted blankets, yeah.
00:58:20.079 --> 00:58:24.000
You just it's like I became obsessed with how people would then feel.
00:58:24.639 --> 00:58:43.679
Um, and then they've got the headphones to put on for spa music, they've got refreshments, um, and it's not necessarily giving them loads of free stuff, it's just that idea of they feel like they've walked away with something more um more than what the salon maybe up the road is doing because actually you're giving them a special touch.
00:58:43.920 --> 00:58:45.519
It's like when you go to a restaurant, isn't it?
00:58:45.679 --> 00:58:52.400
And they give you I went to a restaurant and it was my birthday, and they gave me at the end like a whole chocolate bar with happy birthday on it.
00:58:52.639 --> 00:58:54.480
And I remembered that for ages.
00:58:54.559 --> 00:58:57.920
I was telling people, yeah, I've got you do big chocolate bar.
00:58:59.440 --> 00:59:00.960
Because it's special, yeah.
00:59:01.119 --> 00:59:04.000
It's something that someone's thought about, yeah, and it's made you go.
00:59:04.480 --> 00:59:06.400
Well, it says a lot about you, I think.
00:59:07.199 --> 00:59:14.239
Um, fresh flowers, like I remember thinking, like, God, these fresh flowers are you know getting more and more expensive.
00:59:14.480 --> 00:59:20.719
But the clients will come in and they'll say, like, oh, I love that you've always got fresh flowers on the table.
00:59:20.960 --> 00:59:23.920
Oh, I love that it's oh my god, where did you get that candle from?
00:59:24.000 --> 00:59:32.800
It smells gorgeous, and I like they notice, like I notice, and that's when you know that actually these small details that I'm doing really make a big difference.
00:59:33.119 --> 00:59:33.679
Massive difference.
00:59:33.760 --> 00:59:40.239
Yeah, it doesn't to everyone, like that's just the client base I think that I've created, but for me that's what's important.
00:59:40.880 --> 00:59:41.440
Important, yeah.
00:59:41.679 --> 00:59:43.440
And I love that you also have the headphones.
00:59:43.760 --> 00:59:43.920
Yeah.
00:59:44.079 --> 00:59:46.079
So what are they when I saw your video?
00:59:46.320 --> 00:59:47.679
Yeah, they've got something over them.
00:59:47.920 --> 01:00:01.599
Yeah, so they're just I think they're Sony like Bluetooth headphones, but off Amazon I got these like headphone covers, so like they're one use, so you put them on so you can wipe them over.
01:00:01.760 --> 01:00:06.320
And I'm sure you could just wipe the headphones down, but these are almost like little ear.
01:00:06.880 --> 01:00:15.519
Yeah, they almost have like hair nets, like they ugly little things, but for the headphone, and it's just that idea that oh, she's got that out just for me.
01:00:15.679 --> 01:00:19.840
She's put like she's thought about that, she's thought about the cleanliness of it.
01:00:20.159 --> 01:00:25.199
Um, yeah, it's just all then hygiene's huge, hygiene is massive.
01:00:25.360 --> 01:00:32.639
So I actually asked my clients who've been coming eight years plus, yeah, why do you and I was doing a conference and I was like, why are you coming here?
01:00:32.719 --> 01:00:39.119
Yeah, and um they were literally like it's always immaculate, yeah, it's clean, I know your tools are clean.
01:00:39.280 --> 01:00:45.440
Like, I feel like they have that from what you might get blind to in your space, it's consistent.
01:00:45.760 --> 01:00:46.400
They're not blind.
01:00:46.559 --> 01:00:47.039
Do you know what I mean?
01:00:47.199 --> 01:00:53.199
They because they're seeing it every three weeks, I've seen it every day, so I might go a little bit like part of your routine, so you're not seeing it.
01:00:53.360 --> 01:00:54.559
Yeah, yeah, but it's so important.
01:00:54.639 --> 01:00:57.840
Hygiene is I won't let anyone get on the bed if I've not wiped it down.
01:00:57.920 --> 01:01:03.760
I've not like I will make that bed a time again and again and again and again.
01:01:03.920 --> 01:01:07.599
Like, for and people will say, How do you keep that cell on like that?
01:01:07.760 --> 01:01:09.039
How do you keep it so clean?
01:01:09.199 --> 01:01:09.920
I just do.
01:01:10.079 --> 01:01:12.079
I make time to make sure that I do.
01:01:12.320 --> 01:01:21.599
I will fold back the blankets, I will wipe the entire bed down, I will set the headphones ready, the electric blanket will be on for every single person.
01:01:22.320 --> 01:01:25.840
Um, because that's the experience I want to give, and it's consistent.
01:01:26.000 --> 01:01:31.840
And although sit 10 years ago, I've got some clients that have been with me since the beginning.
01:01:32.079 --> 01:01:46.559
Although my skill has obviously progressed and got a lot better within the last 10 years, one thing that has been consistent is the custom service that I've given and those small touches of, oh, don't get on the bed yet, Caris.
01:01:46.719 --> 01:01:47.599
I need to remake it for you.
01:01:47.760 --> 01:01:49.440
And you see some clients like, oh, don't worry about it.
01:01:49.519 --> 01:01:51.599
I'm like, no, like I'm making the bed for you.
01:01:51.679 --> 01:01:54.320
And I think it's that, like, oh, she cares.
01:01:54.400 --> 01:02:03.199
Like because even at the beginning of your lash career, yeah, we probably well, I don't know about you, but I weren't like amazingly great.
01:02:03.360 --> 01:02:04.719
Well, no one is a beginner, right?
01:02:04.800 --> 01:02:05.199
No, no, no.
01:02:05.360 --> 01:02:09.440
But them clients that stick with you, they've stuck with you because you're doing they've grown with you.
01:02:09.679 --> 01:02:16.880
It's not that you're doing the best lash set around, it's because they like you and your experience and you're creating.
01:02:17.199 --> 01:02:19.119
So it's so much more than the treatment.
01:02:19.440 --> 01:02:22.559
Definitely, it's it is the environment that you are creating.
01:02:22.719 --> 01:02:36.559
If there's one thing, someone listening, right, and is like, okay, Min sounds like she's doing a lot, what is one thing that a simple change that you think would make the most difference in their salon?
01:02:37.199 --> 01:02:41.280
Um, like aesthetically or just in general for client experience.
01:02:41.360 --> 01:02:43.199
So is it something, is it comfort?
01:02:43.440 --> 01:02:48.159
Is it um the comfier your clients are, the more they're gonna relax.
01:02:48.400 --> 01:02:59.039
London I should have got like a so when you're first starting, a lot of people have pop-up beds or like a fold bed or something that I remember when when I was in the conservatory, I had this like rickety bed.
01:02:59.119 --> 01:03:01.360
I think I got it off shoes by sellers for like£10.
01:03:02.079 --> 01:03:10.000
But what I made sure I did was I made sure it was really comfy because I soon realised that people were like, you know, it's not comfy like that for four or five hours.
01:03:10.159 --> 01:03:13.599
So yeah, invest in some memory foam, invest in some nice blankets.
01:03:13.760 --> 01:03:19.039
It doesn't I think I always say to my students, don't see the salon and think, oh my god, I need all this.
01:03:19.199 --> 01:03:26.559
Like, you don't like, but the comfier your bed is, the more that people want to lie there, and that's an experience in itself.
01:03:26.800 --> 01:03:28.400
Like, people want to be comfy.
01:03:28.639 --> 01:03:32.480
I mean, who lies down and has a nap in the middle of the day, really?
01:03:32.719 --> 01:03:36.559
But people do, and they look forward to that lie down more than you'll ever know.
01:03:36.800 --> 01:03:46.000
So it's um, I would the first thing would be if they're thinking of anything, I would agree with the foam getting something that's they're laying down, aren't they?
01:03:46.159 --> 01:03:48.239
Yeah, foam um topper.
01:03:48.320 --> 01:03:51.119
You can literally just get that on Amazon, it's not expensive at all.
01:03:51.360 --> 01:03:56.320
I think London I should do like a curved one if you wanted to put that on your bed.
01:03:56.559 --> 01:04:02.000
Um, yeah, invest in how you want to make someone feel through smell.
01:04:02.079 --> 01:04:07.920
I think smells huge, like essential oils, candles, candles, it's got very mist, yeah.
01:04:08.159 --> 01:04:08.480
It smells.
01:04:08.880 --> 01:04:24.960
Even like um, what I always do is like with hand creams, like I have really nice like germanium, lavender hand creams, and I'll always hold it above their nose so they can smell they're thinking, wow, she's really thought so I'm trying to be a bit more sparry, like with my experience, I suppose.
01:04:25.199 --> 01:04:29.519
Yeah, give them the like the what you say is like tranquil, is that the right word?
01:04:29.679 --> 01:04:29.920
Do you know?
01:04:30.159 --> 01:04:30.880
Yeah, like definitely.
01:04:31.280 --> 01:04:38.960
Sort of go in and it's everything, like the smell, the uh touch, the eyesight, like you know when you're walking and you go, Wow, this is I will never forget.
01:04:39.280 --> 01:04:40.800
Touching all senses, 100%.
01:04:41.199 --> 01:04:44.159
I will never forget the first time I got my lashes done.
01:04:44.320 --> 01:04:46.079
She was like, Oh, won't be a segment.
01:04:46.239 --> 01:04:47.440
That's okay, sat down.
01:04:47.840 --> 01:04:52.320
She came back, she just had a cigarette, and she didn't even wash her hands.
01:04:52.480 --> 01:04:56.559
So for the next three hours, I felt like I was smoking her fingers.
01:04:56.639 --> 01:05:00.639
I was literally like, oh and that traumatized me.
01:05:00.880 --> 01:05:07.199
And I always thought, like, I never want someone to think I can smell her cheesy boxes that she's just had.
01:05:07.280 --> 01:05:07.920
Do you know what I mean?
01:05:08.000 --> 01:05:21.840
So, like, I feel like it's so traumatized for me that that's what's made me go above and beyond with the smells, and it seems so silly, but the amount of clients that will say to me, Oh my god, that smells amazing.
01:05:22.639 --> 01:05:25.840
Yeah, I think those little touches make such a difference.
01:05:26.159 --> 01:05:36.559
I feel like anyone listening, if they're really wanting to elevate their business and even gain more clients, or I even think sometimes you've got to sit there and think about your loyal clients as well.
01:05:37.199 --> 01:05:39.199
You still want them to come back, yeah.
01:05:39.360 --> 01:05:40.480
We never want to get complacent.
01:05:40.559 --> 01:05:43.760
I always think that everyone goes, Well, new clients, I need new clients.
01:05:43.920 --> 01:05:50.400
Actually, remember to nurture the ones you have because even like with your ideas, that is something that a loyal client will want to do it.
01:05:50.559 --> 01:05:51.360
And it's gotta work.
01:05:51.599 --> 01:05:52.159
It's gotta work.
01:05:52.239 --> 01:05:55.679
You can have all these flamboyant ideas, and believe me, I have had them.
01:05:56.239 --> 01:05:59.760
But you've got to think, you've got to put your business hat on, and you've got to think.
01:06:00.559 --> 01:06:05.599
Can I fit this into the treatment, the hour and a half treatment that I'm giving Karis today?
01:06:06.159 --> 01:06:06.960
Not really.
01:06:07.119 --> 01:06:09.360
Like, is this gonna cost me a lot more?
01:06:09.920 --> 01:06:11.360
Do I need to put my price up for this?
01:06:11.440 --> 01:06:13.280
Like, there's factors you need to think about.
01:06:14.239 --> 01:06:22.719
Um, but yeah, definitely small, small, meaningful, intentional decisions make such an impact on those.
01:06:23.280 --> 01:06:30.719
It's like I raise my prices, and then everyone who has a full set, I give them an aftercare kit because I did whack my prices up.
01:06:30.960 --> 01:06:32.079
And I thought, do you know what?
01:06:32.239 --> 01:06:36.639
I'll give them a little something to they're still seeing the value.
01:06:36.719 --> 01:06:38.480
Yeah, I'm up in my prices.
01:06:38.639 --> 01:06:44.559
Yes, I'm giving them something that I was retailing, but actually it covers way covers that.
01:06:44.639 --> 01:06:45.280
Do you know what I mean?
01:06:45.360 --> 01:06:48.079
And even like I've got the little coffee machine now.
01:06:48.320 --> 01:07:11.280
My clients love to have a coffee after it doesn't cost me when I worked it out, which I did because I needed to make sure it was a good investment, definitely, it worked out, it wasn't that expensive, and actually, you're giving value every single time to someone, and I think that just you've thought you've thought about it, and it's actually the kindness I think that you're giving to someone, definitely, and they do remember that always.
01:07:11.599 --> 01:07:15.920
So I want to speak to you about what you're known for.
01:07:16.239 --> 01:07:21.440
So you are known for bridal lashes, so you're also known for your incredible interior design.
01:07:21.519 --> 01:07:25.119
Like, I whenever I see your salon, I just think beautiful.
01:07:25.679 --> 01:07:32.480
But I also see that like brides choose you, yeah, they choose to come and have lashes by you.
01:07:33.119 --> 01:07:40.239
Do you think, as well as having your own salon, actually being known for something is important?
01:07:40.639 --> 01:07:42.320
A niche, yes, yeah.
01:07:42.719 --> 01:07:43.599
I think so.
01:07:43.760 --> 01:07:49.679
But that don't get me wrong, like that's taken me a few years to realise that niche, and that's something I feel passionate about.
01:07:49.760 --> 01:07:53.360
It was something in my life that changed that I thought like getting married.
01:07:53.519 --> 01:08:00.559
I thought, oh like I feel quite passionate about a bridal experience, you know, creating something specifically for brides.
01:08:01.119 --> 01:08:03.199
So that's something I've leaned in more, definitely.
01:08:03.440 --> 01:08:05.679
Was it intentional or did it naturally happen?
01:08:05.920 --> 01:08:06.400
Naturally.
01:08:06.639 --> 01:08:08.719
Naturally happen, you're just getting more brides in.
01:08:08.960 --> 01:08:11.840
I think I've got this like signature look anyway.
01:08:12.000 --> 01:08:17.680
You know, I like to create something that enhances clients rather than takes over the face.
01:08:17.840 --> 01:08:24.560
Like, and I was having more and more brides come in, and I remember like giving them some flowers or writing them a little card.
01:08:24.640 --> 01:08:26.960
And we are so the same, in honestly.
01:08:27.039 --> 01:08:29.119
Everything you're saying, I'm like on the drive down.
01:08:29.199 --> 01:08:32.560
I said to Connor, I was like, Pink carries are like in kind of similar points in our own.
01:08:35.279 --> 01:08:38.800
So um much oh I don't know.
01:08:40.159 --> 01:08:47.680
I love so have you ever given Matt?
01:08:47.840 --> 01:08:50.640
You know when someone buys you a present and then you re-gift it?
01:08:50.720 --> 01:08:51.439
Have you ever regifted?
01:08:51.680 --> 01:08:51.840
Yeah.
01:08:52.000 --> 01:08:54.079
Okay, so someone has the regift bottle.
01:08:54.399 --> 01:08:56.319
I don't drink champagne, yeah.
01:08:56.479 --> 01:08:56.800
Right.
01:08:56.880 --> 01:08:57.439
Yeah.
01:08:58.560 --> 01:09:02.159
I had a bottle of mohai in my cupboard, yeah.
01:09:02.479 --> 01:09:07.039
And I had a bride in, and I was like, I'm gonna give it a bottle of moe because like I don't drink.
01:09:07.600 --> 01:09:08.479
Yeah, like it's a nice gif.
01:09:08.560 --> 01:09:09.920
It's a nice gift, yeah.
01:09:10.399 --> 01:09:12.800
How much does moe cost?
01:09:13.119 --> 01:09:15.279
She was like, oh my god, Carazo can not.
01:09:15.439 --> 01:09:17.359
And I was like, I might become a client of yours.
01:09:17.439 --> 01:09:19.279
It might take me four hours to come in my mum.
01:09:19.760 --> 01:09:21.680
I didn't know and I remember my mum.
01:09:22.000 --> 01:09:28.880
And I was like, I was thinking I came over Moe, and I went, yeah, she was like, Caris, do you know how much Moe costs?
01:09:29.039 --> 01:09:31.600
I think it's like 40-50 quid a bottle.
01:09:32.399 --> 01:09:44.640
Actually, made me wee myself because it would never have been drunk, but you know, when you get it and you're like, I would love to give that to someone, but then I gave it to her and she was like, Oh my god, Caris, like you really like that's very generous.
01:09:45.039 --> 01:09:47.199
And I was like, There is no Moe.
01:09:47.760 --> 01:09:49.760
Plus of Moe in the final explanation.
01:09:51.359 --> 01:10:01.279
Yeah, but I was literally like, honestly, it was so funny, and I was like, Oh my god, I've just given like£50 worth of alcohol away, but she enjoyed it.
01:10:01.439 --> 01:10:02.239
Oh, there you go.
01:10:03.359 --> 01:10:04.239
There you go.
01:10:04.800 --> 01:10:13.039
But going back to the bridals, so you're doing like the cards, the little gift, things like that.
01:10:13.279 --> 01:10:17.600
Yeah, and I'm kind of trialling it at the moment, I'm seeing what works.
01:10:17.840 --> 01:10:23.920
So the idea is that I I charge the same for a full set.
01:10:24.079 --> 01:10:33.920
Like, I I believe that like a bride shouldn't have to pay more because she's a bride, because at this at the end of the day, she's getting I'm glad you said this because it's kind of my question.
01:10:34.560 --> 01:10:51.760
However, what I've because it took me a while, like I had this idea about 18 months ago, but I wanted to get it right because I didn't want it to just be another um package that they saw or felt that they needed.
01:10:52.399 --> 01:10:55.359
What I wanted to do was tailor the appointment to them.
01:10:55.439 --> 01:10:58.560
So I've created like a bridal consultation now.
01:10:58.640 --> 01:11:04.720
So when they they'll book that, so I know obviously when they come in they're a bride, but I can tailor the appointment to them.
01:11:05.039 --> 01:11:08.880
So I'm I'm not gonna lie, like it isn't perfect at the moment.
01:11:08.960 --> 01:11:15.520
It's about I think I block out 20 minutes for it, which I would do with a normal consultation and patch test.
01:11:15.840 --> 01:11:18.960
Um, but I've got a set of questions to ask them.
01:11:19.119 --> 01:11:29.359
You know, they have water, a glass of fizz, like some chocolates there on arrival, just to give them that little like they're in their bridal era, so it's nice to do something little for them.
01:11:29.920 --> 01:11:35.680
But like I give them like a time frame of when they should be having lashes.
01:11:35.920 --> 01:11:45.840
We talk about like, you know, when's their tan, when's their makeup trial, when's their hair trial, and I help them slot that in because it is so overwhelming when you're a bride, you don't know.
01:11:46.000 --> 01:11:57.279
So the fact that they can just come in and there's no pressure, like if they're like actually this isn't for me, then it was just a 15-minute consultation that I gave them, if that makes sense.
01:11:57.520 --> 01:12:06.479
And I feel like they appreciate that you've given them the time to then because it's a big they want their lashes in a certain way, it's a big day, they're gonna have that for the rest of their lives.
01:12:06.720 --> 01:12:10.000
Do you think though we should charge more for bridal?
01:12:11.680 --> 01:12:15.520
Because makeup artists do, I know, spray tanning do.
01:12:15.920 --> 01:12:18.560
Um I don't think nails do actually.
01:12:19.039 --> 01:12:28.399
When I thought about it personally, no, because I was thinking, what am I doing different?
01:12:28.479 --> 01:12:31.119
Like, am I giving them any extra time?
01:12:31.600 --> 01:12:31.920
No.
01:12:33.840 --> 01:12:34.479
Yeah.
01:12:35.600 --> 01:12:46.560
I don't know, I think sometimes I am a little bit more affectionist than for like I am feeling like I do sometimes run over because I want them to be perfect.
01:12:46.720 --> 01:12:57.119
I'm looking at like every time because obviously if they're like if they're gonna, if they're getting married abroad, sometimes their lashes have still gotta be they go in like a week before they go, and then the big days there.
01:12:57.199 --> 01:13:01.520
So I'm always really I feel like it's maybe a bit more pressure for us to make sure they're right.
01:13:01.760 --> 01:13:11.760
But then I don't charge more for it, but I was thinking actually, it's much more for me the service of really understanding what they want, doing trials as well.
01:13:11.840 --> 01:13:18.640
We're doing different trials sometimes to see where we're gonna get, but actually, it's still a lash set, so yeah.
01:13:18.960 --> 01:13:22.319
I always think that brides are penalised for being a bride sometimes.
01:13:22.399 --> 01:13:31.279
Yeah, that's how I felt a cake, it's about£500 to have a bridal cake, and you just think but you would get a birthday cake and it'd be half the price, yeah.
01:13:31.439 --> 01:13:33.520
But it's because it's a wedding, yeah.
01:13:33.680 --> 01:13:36.079
So yeah, uh yeah, it's a hard one.
01:13:36.159 --> 01:13:37.279
I did think about it though.
01:13:38.319 --> 01:13:40.239
You like your points are interesting.
01:13:40.319 --> 01:13:49.039
I think for me, like I put my full set price up at the start of the year, and I just thought, you know, I am a perfectionist.
01:13:49.199 --> 01:13:56.000
I'm probably do pretty much spend the most the same time as on a full set with you as I would a bride.
01:13:56.079 --> 01:14:05.760
That's just the person that I am, and I do really encourage them to have trials so then I can understand what they want.
01:14:05.840 --> 01:14:12.479
Like, if I try and not encourage people to just have that one-off set before they get married, especially if they're not a client of mine and have been coming regularly.
01:14:12.640 --> 01:14:17.439
If they have a few sets before, I think like that's what I would say to anyone listening.
01:14:17.520 --> 01:14:22.800
It's like encourage them to have them trials so it's not that much pressure for that appointment.
01:14:23.279 --> 01:14:27.600
And that's what I kind of that's why I just did the bridal consultation.
01:14:27.760 --> 01:14:29.439
It's just creating that experience for them.
01:14:29.520 --> 01:14:32.319
It's something else that make them feel like they're in their bridal era.
01:14:32.560 --> 01:14:38.000
What do you think made you stand out for them to then want to go for you for bride?
01:14:38.079 --> 01:14:40.640
Is there like a certain natural look?
01:14:40.800 --> 01:14:41.760
Is it something?
01:14:42.319 --> 01:14:51.520
I yeah, I mean, when I thought about it, it's like I don't want to just create them lashes, I want them to think in years to come I still look like me.
01:14:51.680 --> 01:15:02.239
So I wanted to create sets that enhanced them, and that's I think the style that I give this like soft natural glam, which is a lot what clients want.
01:15:02.720 --> 01:15:04.960
Um, they're looking for elegant, aren't they?
01:15:05.039 --> 01:15:17.920
Yeah, they're looking for something that is enhancing what they've already got, look good in photos, and I didn't feel like anyone was kind of niching into that, like anyone was kind of saying, like, look, hey, I do bridal lashes.
01:15:18.079 --> 01:15:22.720
So I kind of thought I'm gonna just run with this, and it has been really popular.
01:15:22.880 --> 01:15:28.000
Um, I've had a lot of clients, new clients, book in for it.
01:15:28.319 --> 01:15:33.439
But the only thing with brides is they want to be so ahead, they want to book like a year or two in advance.
01:15:33.520 --> 01:15:38.319
I mean, I had someone message me this weekend and say, I get married in two years' time, can I book it in?
01:15:38.720 --> 01:15:42.720
So you have got to be strict because I only open my diary three, four months in advance.
01:15:43.199 --> 01:15:48.800
So I'm like, congratulations, however, can if you contact me on this day, we we'll get you booked in.
01:15:48.880 --> 01:15:52.239
Like, I won't dedicate for two years' time, unfortunately.
01:15:52.560 --> 01:15:56.159
But um that's just not our industry, really.
01:15:56.399 --> 01:15:59.199
We're not like hairdressers will open a year in advance, won't they?
01:15:59.359 --> 01:16:00.880
Which is just bizarre to me.
01:16:01.119 --> 01:16:05.680
But it's amazing to be part of someone's big day, like such a thing.
01:16:06.720 --> 01:16:09.600
Two years before they get married, yeah.
01:16:09.760 --> 01:16:19.920
But I've even had clients who've come in and they're like they've had another lash tech for daily every few weeks, but they're like, I would never, I'd always have you to do my bridal lashes.
01:16:20.000 --> 01:16:32.880
They never come to me, but they wanted that that's that special occasion because maybe because I am in a higher price bracket, but they want to have that look, and actually you think, wow, that is so nice to even be thought about.
01:16:33.199 --> 01:16:37.520
Definitely, and I thought as well, we can I thought we're gonna play a little bridal game, okay?
01:16:37.680 --> 01:16:38.319
Oh, I love it.
01:16:38.479 --> 01:16:41.119
So it's called a bridal set, this or that.
01:16:41.279 --> 01:16:41.520
Okay.
01:16:41.680 --> 01:16:43.279
Okay, so it's that quick fire.
01:16:43.439 --> 01:16:43.600
Okay.
01:16:43.760 --> 01:16:53.520
I thought it's gonna be fun so that anyone who's listening can kind of hear what you kind of go for if you're having if you're creating a bridal set.
01:16:53.680 --> 01:16:57.840
Yes, I know it depends on styling and their direction, but it's just a little game.
01:16:58.000 --> 01:16:58.239
Okay.
01:16:58.399 --> 01:17:00.640
So you've got classical volume?
01:17:00.880 --> 01:17:01.680
Volume.
01:17:02.159 --> 01:17:03.760
Volume or textured?
01:17:04.319 --> 01:17:05.199
Textured.
01:17:05.439 --> 01:17:06.239
I agree.
01:17:06.720 --> 01:17:07.840
Short or long?
01:17:08.079 --> 01:17:08.640
Short.
01:17:09.439 --> 01:17:11.600
C, curl or C C curl?
01:17:12.239 --> 01:17:14.720
C C C or D curl.
01:17:15.279 --> 01:17:17.039
Do you say C C or C or C or D curl?
01:17:17.439 --> 01:17:18.399
C C me two.
01:17:18.880 --> 01:17:19.680
M or L.
01:17:21.199 --> 01:17:24.399
Uh M I love an M curl.
01:17:24.720 --> 01:17:25.119
Yeah, I do.
01:17:25.439 --> 01:17:26.159
Brown or black?
01:17:26.399 --> 01:17:29.439
Brown 100% coverage or less.
01:17:29.840 --> 01:17:31.199
100% all the time.
01:17:32.000 --> 01:17:33.680
Wispy or uniform?
01:17:35.119 --> 01:17:35.840
Wispy.
01:17:36.720 --> 01:17:37.760
Natural glam.
01:17:39.439 --> 01:17:41.199
Oh, I'm gonna go natural.
01:17:41.600 --> 01:17:45.359
Natural glam, which is so in between, in between.
01:17:45.600 --> 01:17:46.800
I love that.
01:17:47.119 --> 01:17:52.880
So from anyone who's listening, even from that game, it it is very elegant, very timeless.
01:17:53.359 --> 01:18:08.479
Yes, and I feel like that is the look of like even like the brown lashes, like dark brown is so popular, so gorgeous, and you can afford to go that little bit more glam with brown, really, because it's not as bold and you know maybe that when the wispy comes out.
01:18:08.880 --> 01:18:09.920
What is your most popular?
01:18:10.159 --> 01:18:11.600
Would it be brown lashes for extent?
01:18:11.760 --> 01:18:12.800
What have you been noticing?
01:18:13.039 --> 01:18:18.000
Um, a lot of clients are swaying towards like black brown lashes, definitely.
01:18:18.159 --> 01:18:26.479
Um, but yeah, I I'm still known for just like black volume lashes, like that is what the majority of my clients have, really.
01:18:26.560 --> 01:18:31.520
But yeah, a lot, I'd say like 40% brown, 60% black.
01:18:31.680 --> 01:18:31.920
Yeah.
01:18:32.079 --> 01:18:32.960
Lashes, volume.
01:18:33.039 --> 01:18:34.560
I don't really do classics.
01:18:34.640 --> 01:18:37.520
I I only have um like two classic clients.
01:18:37.680 --> 01:18:42.960
It is more volume, but I guess if your style is natural, you're not really going to no, I'm a crazy.
01:18:43.119 --> 01:18:43.600
Do you know what I mean?
01:18:43.840 --> 01:18:46.880
So you're actually giving them a natural but fuller effect.
01:18:47.119 --> 01:18:48.319
Yeah, no, I love that.
01:18:48.479 --> 01:18:56.960
So we are coming towards the end, but before we go into like the beyond five round, yeah, I wanted to ask you a few questions that I'd love to know.
01:18:57.199 --> 01:19:01.600
I want to ask you like, what is your proudest moment looking back at your whole journey?
01:19:01.760 --> 01:19:03.600
What's your proudest moment so far?
01:19:03.920 --> 01:19:04.960
Oh my gosh.
01:19:05.199 --> 01:19:07.439
Um, what's my proudest moment?
01:19:07.840 --> 01:19:20.800
I think I know we said it before, but probably getting the keys to the salon and opening it finally after COVID and just making it work.
01:19:22.000 --> 01:19:24.159
Um it's a lot of resilience, isn't it?
01:19:24.560 --> 01:19:24.800
Yeah.
01:19:25.119 --> 01:19:27.199
A lot of like finally getting that through.
01:19:27.439 --> 01:19:27.600
Yeah.
01:19:27.760 --> 01:19:28.000
Yeah.
01:19:28.640 --> 01:19:30.319
That's probably one of my biggest achievements.
01:19:30.640 --> 01:19:31.359
I love that.
01:19:32.159 --> 01:19:35.119
The word success is different to everyone.
01:19:35.600 --> 01:19:39.439
Did you ever picture what success looked like and now you don't believe it's that anymore?
01:19:40.239 --> 01:19:41.039
Yes, 100%.
01:19:41.760 --> 01:19:49.840
I think success is days off with my close ones, my my husband, my family, my friends.
01:19:50.399 --> 01:19:54.079
Um I soon learned that money is in everything, it's great.
01:19:55.039 --> 01:20:06.640
But success in my eyes is the ability to have time off when I want it and to control my own working time and hours.
01:20:07.359 --> 01:20:09.600
What was your success before it was that?
01:20:10.159 --> 01:20:11.359
Fully booked salon.
01:20:11.680 --> 01:20:13.439
Um It's not the goal, is it?
01:20:14.560 --> 01:20:15.279
It was the goal.
01:20:15.520 --> 01:20:16.159
I'm the same.
01:20:16.399 --> 01:20:19.359
It was the goal, but it's not actually what it all cracks up to be.
01:20:19.600 --> 01:20:21.760
Fully booked salon, yeah.
01:20:21.840 --> 01:20:25.119
It and working, you know, five days.
01:20:25.680 --> 01:20:29.760
I always remember doing things in hours because my dad's quite corporate.
01:20:29.840 --> 01:20:33.439
So I remember him being like, you need to work 40 to 50 hours a week, blah blah blah.
01:20:33.840 --> 01:20:42.479
And that's what I did, and like he was so right, that's how I created what I've got now, but that's not sustainable for anybody, so yeah, success looks a lot different, right?
01:20:42.560 --> 01:20:44.159
Like today, different, yeah.
01:20:44.319 --> 01:20:56.079
It's like what you want to then go into is actually is like maybe like the softer era, the calmer era, but then I don't think we can knock that you have to do that hard work to get where you want to be.
01:20:56.159 --> 01:21:04.399
I think now in our lives we're a bit more like we want that, so I I I'm the same as you, but also I think we had to do them.
01:21:04.720 --> 01:21:06.479
Yeah, I think you do have to do it.
01:21:06.640 --> 01:21:07.840
Yeah, unfortunately, I do.
01:21:08.000 --> 01:21:10.079
Someone said to me the day, could you ever be employed again?
01:21:10.159 --> 01:21:12.159
I was like, Yeah, I could, right?
01:21:12.239 --> 01:21:16.079
I've got no problem with someone saying, like, being above me and telling me what to do.
01:21:16.159 --> 01:21:18.239
That, like, if anything, welcomed.
01:21:19.039 --> 01:21:21.279
But like, I don't have to make any decisions.
01:21:21.439 --> 01:21:28.880
But the thing I think I struggle the most on is holidays, like having time off, like having to request full time off.
01:21:29.039 --> 01:21:31.279
And someone telling you no, you can't, yeah.
01:21:31.439 --> 01:21:33.439
So I was like, oh no, no.
01:21:34.479 --> 01:21:35.920
Yeah, you like being your own box.
01:21:36.079 --> 01:21:36.399
Yeah.
01:21:36.960 --> 01:21:42.800
The last question I've got for you is looking at your business, what is next for you?
01:21:43.199 --> 01:21:57.039
Next for me is I'm rebranding, so I'm wanting to really push kind of the next phase of minute like me, Manola, um, which you will hopefully see over the next few months.
01:21:57.279 --> 01:22:00.319
Are we able to have a sneak peek of what colours you might be having?
01:22:00.560 --> 01:22:02.800
That's still like in the process.
01:22:03.039 --> 01:22:03.520
In the process.
01:22:03.760 --> 01:22:06.000
So I would share, but I don't want to lie.
01:22:06.880 --> 01:22:14.960
Um, but you're gonna see something a lot softer, that a lot the the way that the the industry's going, more lower maintenance.
01:22:15.359 --> 01:22:25.840
Um I want to step back a little bit and have a few girls working in the salon so I can train more.
01:22:26.399 --> 01:22:32.079
Um, I'd like to do more mentoring, I'd like to do more training myself.
01:22:32.239 --> 01:22:41.199
Like I'd like to go off and have some more training days and improve my skill set because I always believe you can never stop learning.
01:22:41.439 --> 01:22:42.079
Yeah, me too.
01:22:42.159 --> 01:22:43.600
I feel like you can never know enough.
01:22:43.840 --> 01:22:47.279
But yeah, no, some it's an exciting next six months, I think.
01:22:47.520 --> 01:22:48.720
Oh, I'm so excited for you.
01:22:48.880 --> 01:22:50.079
I can't wait to see the rebranding.
01:22:50.560 --> 01:22:50.800
Thank you.
01:22:50.960 --> 01:22:52.399
So we've got the Beyond Five round.
01:22:52.560 --> 01:22:54.720
So this is just like a quick fire fun round.
01:22:54.800 --> 01:22:55.119
Yeah.
01:22:55.279 --> 01:22:59.119
What's your go-to comfort food after a long day of clients or work?
01:22:59.439 --> 01:23:00.399
Chicken kiav.
01:23:01.119 --> 01:23:02.079
All day, every day.
01:23:02.239 --> 01:23:03.520
Did we just become best friends?
01:23:03.680 --> 01:23:08.000
That is my favourite jacket potato, chicken kiav, coleslaw.
01:23:08.159 --> 01:23:09.520
You have your jacket potato.
01:23:09.840 --> 01:23:10.960
I have my pasta.
01:23:11.520 --> 01:23:12.880
Always on top of that.
01:23:12.960 --> 01:23:13.119
Yeah.
01:23:13.279 --> 01:23:14.800
Oh my god, I love chicken kiav.
01:23:15.039 --> 01:23:18.640
So um, one word your friends would use to describe you.
01:23:18.960 --> 01:23:20.239
Oh my god, I don't know.
01:23:20.479 --> 01:23:25.279
Um it's not a word.
01:23:25.359 --> 01:23:29.520
I know this is supposed to be quite pirate in questions, but like they always say oh mana, that's so you.
01:23:29.600 --> 01:23:35.760
So I think it like really like quirky, like flamboy, like I just yeah, I don't know.
01:23:36.000 --> 01:23:36.479
Bubbly?
01:23:36.640 --> 01:23:38.159
Bubbly, maybe, yeah.
01:23:38.479 --> 01:23:43.199
What lash tool or product, so it can be anything, could you never live without?
01:23:44.399 --> 01:23:49.359
I could never live without my London lash booster.
01:23:49.520 --> 01:23:51.279
I just absolutely love that product.
01:23:52.000 --> 01:23:53.359
It works miracles, isn't it?
01:23:53.600 --> 01:23:57.600
Like if I get like close, I'm I have to like reorder it straight away.
01:23:58.880 --> 01:24:01.600
What's the biggest lesson you've learnt so far?
01:24:02.239 --> 01:24:13.119
Um the biggest lesson I've learnt so far would probably be that you can't be everywhere at the same time, just to be kinder to myself.
01:24:13.359 --> 01:24:26.159
Yeah, like that as much as I am a perfectionist and I want to give everyone 100% to every single client, that it is okay sometimes if you're not, like, they might not see that.
01:24:26.880 --> 01:24:33.119
I think I've become a little bit more like perfectionism doesn't exist, yeah.
01:24:33.359 --> 01:24:39.840
And I think um we're very similar in how we are, as like I like things to be placed in certain ways.
01:24:40.000 --> 01:24:46.880
I'm very like, yeah, but sometimes if things don't go into plan or things are not, don't be too hard on yourself, yes.
01:24:46.960 --> 01:24:50.479
And I think actually it's and it's easier said than done, yeah.
01:24:50.800 --> 01:24:54.479
Yeah, I think I think it's I think it's time that has done that to me.
01:24:54.720 --> 01:24:59.439
And I think it's actually realising nothing bad's gonna happen if if I didn't just quickly do that.
01:24:59.840 --> 01:25:02.479
But I ate to I don't know about you, but it used to consume me.
01:25:02.720 --> 01:25:21.520
And I used to be like, oh my god, like I remember one time I had a student and we were doing the house up, and she came in here, and before she arrived, I rang Jack, I was crying because I couldn't work the hose to jet wash the patio, and I sobbed, I can't have a student come in here.
01:25:21.600 --> 01:25:22.239
What are you gonna do?
01:25:22.560 --> 01:25:24.319
He was like, Caris, calm down.
01:25:24.560 --> 01:25:28.960
But at that time, like that's like because I'm like, someone's walking into this space, this is their first impression.
01:25:29.039 --> 01:25:41.039
They got he drove all the way home, he drove 45 minutes to come and jet wash the whole entire patio and then he went to work, and I was upstairs getting ready, and I was sobbing because I was like I was so mortified.
01:25:41.359 --> 01:25:50.319
But if I was doing that now, it wouldn't bother I wouldn't be doing that, no, but it was sometimes it can be so consuming because you want the impression always to be good.
01:25:50.479 --> 01:25:57.039
Yeah, it's a hard it's yeah, it's a hard one because experience is everything, but I think it's also being kinder to yourself.
01:25:57.600 --> 01:25:58.159
Definitely.
01:25:58.399 --> 01:26:02.159
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would that be?
01:26:02.640 --> 01:26:04.159
Oh, that's a nice question.
01:26:05.359 --> 01:26:09.119
Um gosh, Karen.
01:26:10.399 --> 01:26:18.479
Probably like the first thing that comes to my mind is like always look after you first.
01:26:19.520 --> 01:26:20.720
Fill your own cup up.
01:26:20.960 --> 01:26:21.359
Yeah.
01:26:22.079 --> 01:26:22.640
I agree.
01:26:22.800 --> 01:26:31.920
I think that's a really good one because actually I feel like even with that, more this year I've become very like, I feel like I'm more aware of that.
01:26:32.479 --> 01:26:33.199
I don't know what's going on.
01:26:34.319 --> 01:26:36.399
So are we in sync?
01:26:37.039 --> 01:26:44.319
Because I just feel like my my vision board, yeah, like I have that all over my vision board of actually being like Caris, okay, it's time for you a bit now.
01:26:44.479 --> 01:27:01.119
Yeah, and I've never really put that on my vision board before, but the past like 12 months I see a different direction for me and my business, and it's just like yeah, definitely look after yourself because being self-employed is really hard, and it's just boundaries, isn't it?
01:27:01.279 --> 01:27:04.800
And I think maybe boundaries is what we're trying to learn as we go on, yeah.
01:27:04.960 --> 01:27:08.560
It's only when you maybe feel burnt out that you're like, I need to put that into place.
01:27:09.119 --> 01:27:15.439
Without them times, you wouldn't put the boundary in, so you couldn't you have to have the hits to have like the structure as well.
01:27:15.840 --> 01:27:16.560
Yeah, yeah.
01:27:16.880 --> 01:27:21.199
Wild card question pick a number one to 30.
01:27:21.920 --> 01:27:22.800
28.
01:27:24.800 --> 01:27:28.960
What's one dream you still want to chase outside of lashes?
01:27:30.079 --> 01:27:31.680
Like, not in the lash.
01:27:32.319 --> 01:27:36.000
I'd love to be a police officer.
01:27:36.319 --> 01:27:38.479
No, yeah, I was really yeah, yeah.
01:27:38.640 --> 01:27:40.399
If you didn't do lashes, you'd be a police officer.
01:27:40.479 --> 01:27:41.680
I'd love to be a police officer.
01:27:41.840 --> 01:27:43.199
Mine would be a paramedic.
01:27:44.000 --> 01:27:45.119
Yeah, I'd bloody love it.
01:27:45.279 --> 01:27:46.479
Isn't that funny?
01:27:46.960 --> 01:27:48.000
Oh my god, yeah.
01:27:48.159 --> 01:27:48.880
It interests me.
01:27:48.960 --> 01:27:53.840
Like, if I've been in a hospital and I've seen the I just think I could do that.
01:27:54.079 --> 01:27:55.119
Undercover cards.
01:27:56.319 --> 01:27:58.960
I'm always always saying to come like that would be me.
01:27:59.920 --> 01:28:00.560
I'd love it.
01:28:01.359 --> 01:28:01.520
Yeah.
01:28:03.279 --> 01:28:04.479
Yeah, I'd love it.
01:28:04.720 --> 01:28:05.840
Going down the M25.
01:28:06.000 --> 01:28:13.359
And then like I had a client in the other day, well, she's a regular client of mine, and she's like, Yeah, I got to age 40 and I thought I'm gonna become a police officer.
01:28:13.439 --> 01:28:19.279
And I think, well, like when people say to you, you're gonna do lashes forever, you're like, uh so yeah, I could maybe, you never know.
01:28:19.359 --> 01:28:20.399
One day, you never know.
01:28:20.479 --> 01:28:23.119
You could do that on you could let people working yourself.
01:28:23.520 --> 01:28:24.800
I've got to go around a corner.
01:28:25.600 --> 01:28:27.439
I've got made a detective mind.
01:28:29.199 --> 01:28:30.159
I love it.
01:28:30.560 --> 01:28:34.720
Well, I just want to say, honestly, thank you so much for travelling down.
01:28:35.439 --> 01:28:41.199
Thank you so much for just being so open and honest and just sharing so welcome all your expertise and everything like that.
01:28:41.359 --> 01:28:50.239
If anyone wants to contact you and either like train with you, or just after this, they've listened and they're like, Do you know what I actually would want to talk to Min?
01:28:50.640 --> 01:28:51.920
Yeah, please get in touch.
01:28:52.239 --> 01:28:53.279
What is your Instagram?
01:28:53.359 --> 01:28:58.079
And I'll pop it on the my Instagram is Minolamos Lush Boutique.
01:28:58.239 --> 01:29:03.359
Amazing on Instagram, and yeah, you can drop me an email or drop me a message on Instagram, no problem.
01:29:03.520 --> 01:29:04.239
Oh, I love it.
01:29:04.399 --> 01:29:05.840
Well, thank you so much for coming on.
01:29:05.920 --> 01:29:07.039
I loved you!