Meet Demi Gilmore

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Demi Gilmore a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Demi, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

When I was a little girl I remember being surrounded by highly ambitious and creative people. My Aunt Dana, a well known poet and writer in Atlanta Georgia, has always been a huge inspiration to me. She always spoke to me with reassurance and love. She always told me I’d be something special, that I could change the world and I always believed her. She’d have me at these big social events with other artists’, creatives and entrepreneurs and really it was only a matter of time before I would become one myself. My family has a love that runs deep in music, art and entrepreneurship and fortunately for me it was already written to be apart of my story. It’s in my DNA. I’ve learned that being a creative of any sort requires a substantial amount of bravery and boldness. It requires the ability to go against what’s normal, popular or trending. It requires an extensive understanding of self. Not being afraid to be different and taking the chance to bet on yourself. It requires not being afraid of taking a risk.

Since I was young I always knew myself. It was like I was hyper aware of myself and while that could’ve been overwhelming at times, I’m grateful for it because I believe it’s played part in where I am today. Many times I felt like the road in front of me was split in two. Forcing me to choose between opportunities, relationships, even my own habits. In those moments I’d tune out all the noise around me and zone in on which path would better suit my future. When I had first moved out of my parent’s’ home I remember walking into the grocery store to go grocery shopping . I’d barely walked into the store before a rush of emotion came over me and I was suddenly crying. I’d realized this was my first time doing adult-ish things all alone. I was 20 and felt so grown but didn’t know how to properly grocery shop, and although it may seem like a small, laughable thing- (which now looking back it is haha) I believe that was life’s way of nudging me to trust myself. To learn myself even if I didn’t know how or felt like I couldn’t. I’ve had many times like that where I’ve felt unequipped or overwhelmed. I remember the little girl in me who was so bold and courageous. I remember how unashamed and fearless she was. I think back to her when I’m faced with obstacles and make the best intuitive decision. For her, for me.

I’m now 24 years young and have accomplished so much within just the last five years. I’ve made a lot of meaningful connections with clients who think so highly of me, I’ve met a lot of incredible and influential people, and spoken in rooms I could’ve never imagined my voice would echo in. And it’s not that I felt like the lane wasn’t for me- or like these opportunities didn’t exist for me. I knew that I was where I was supposed to be, I knew I had the potential. I knew I had the skills and talent. I just never knew how everything would unfold.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Right now I’m focused on growth. I’ll be 25 in December and have been spending a lot of time with myself thinking about the areas that I want to grow in. I’m in a season of transitioning from young lady to woman and it’s been interesting. Learning to set boundaries and standards. Maintaining a level of self respect and a mindset of discipline. Creating healthy habits and letting go of old ones. It’s become my new routine and honestly has made me more self secure and confident and many ways.

I’m also focused on finding new ways to express myself. Since I was little I’ve always loved music. And if we’re being honest that’s the route I’d always thought I’d take in life, being an entrepreneur didn’t really cross my mind. I took piano lessons when I was younger and then guitar, they’re pretty similar so I caught on quick and I’d naturally had a voice to sing. Making music was always so exciting and heartfelt for me. Before my family had moved to Minnesota I was working with a producer back home in Missouri on an ep called “Hear my Heart”. It was a 5 song album that I’d written about some of the things I was facing as a teenager. All the songs were written by me over the course of a year or so and It was so special to me. Although I’m in a different lane now, I still look back onto that version of me excited because I know there’s more for me in that area. Music holds so much weight in my family and it’s not a door I’m ready to close. I have spent the summer getting connected to local artists and producers here in Minnesota to kind of get my groove back. I look forward to seeing what comes next in that area.

being a lash tech has opened me up in so many ways and brought me to so many places I’d never imagine. I’ve gotten to speak on panels with groups of young women at high schools who were inspired by some of the word I’ve done. I’ve been able to network with women in business in other cities that have shared so much knowledge and expertise. I’ve been able to share my story on podcasts’ and offer wisdom and insight to those who have the same aspirations as I do. Even being able to share my story here is a blessing. I never knew I had made that much of an impact. I never knew that people were actually paying attention to little me.

I love what I do because it has brought me so many new memories and friendships. There were many times I’d have these heartfelt and inspirational conversations with clients that felt like hugs. My clients come and leave their appointments so happy with their lashes not knowing that the conversation we just had filled my cup so much! They remind me that I do make a difference and that they’re proud to be my client. They applaud and show up, and even if those things weren’t the case- they still book with me every single month. Back to back. They choose me, and it’s an honor.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Showing up.
Tired. Scared. Unqualified. Just making sure I showed up period. I forced myself to sit in rooms where I felt least qualified or experienced and I went into those rooms quiet. Just a notebook and a pencil. Ready to soak up any information on how to be the best. I sat underneath supervisors and managers and asked questions. I watched how they resolved conflict and kept customers satisfied professionally. I observed how they maintained an atmosphere that welcomed everyone. That’s what I wanted. I didn’t let a slight event keep me from getting to where I wanted to be. I was determined to reach my goals by any means necessary.

Giving myself grace. Not being afraid to mess up.
I understood that starting a business could be a rough road at first. And I was only 20 years old doing it all on my own so I knew it couldn’t be perfect at the start. Walking into the business world I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to service everyone and not all clients would be forever clients and I was okay with that. I just wanted to make sure to make an impact in someone’s life somehow. I tried not to be so hard on myself and trust- that was hard in the beginning. When you’re trying to get the flow of something there’s a lot of emotions involved but that’s also when the grace should come in.

Setting boundaries.
There was a point where I was over extending myself as a lash tech. I was working early mornings and late late nights. I’d accept excuses and sometimes rude commentary. My feelings were hurt a few times. But once I set boundaries and enforced my expectations that’s when I had noticed a change and not just in my business but also in myself. I learned that boundaries are necessary for growth and protection. I have some that I have set for myself personally they help me maintain self discipline and trust. They are essential.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I’m feeling overwhelmed I usually like to take a step away from whatever the circumstance is and try to get somewhere quiet. I’m not too good with a lot of noise and I do get easily overwhelmed. My outlet is writing or journaling. I do it quite often, when my heart is heavy or even when I feel great. It’s a good relief for me and comfort too. I often get so caught up in the day having clients back to back and other people’s needs to fulfill, writing is a safe space for me to pour out what is on my mind. I like to go for walks also, to clear my mind. As much as I am a people person, I’ve found a new love in my solidarity so writing and going for a walk alone really helps me keep my peace of mind and thing about things with a more clear conscience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://demilashmplssquaresite.square.site/
• Instagram: Demilashmpls

Image Credits

@samanthaleeann.photography