We recently connected with Emily George and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Emily, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
I’m not sure if I’ve fully overcome imposter syndrome but after starting my business it was something I was consistently battling. I do not have a degree in business, have never owned a business and have never not worked a 9-5 job, so I constantly had self-doubt about whether I was smart enough or good enough to own a business. I constantly asked myself, “what do I say when someone asks me what I do for a living?”. The answer should be “I’m a small business owner”, but I never truly believed it. As of 2023, I am going into the 3rd successful year in my career of being a salon owner/lash artist and I have never felt more proud. It’s an internal, constant reminder to myself that I’m not a fraud and that I am running a successful business. I remind myself that “the proof is in the pudding”. I have a salon space that I’ve held for 2 years and contracted lash artists that have been with me from 1-2 years and counting. The fact that I have built a return on my initial investment of starting the business within the first year says a lot. It also helps that I have such supportive family, friends and clients that validate my success as a business owner. Some other things I do to overcome imposter syndrome is by making realistic, measurable goals. I also remind myself that “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. Lash + Luxury has come a long way in the last two years. I continue by taking things one day at a time. Each day is a new opportunity to tell and show that little voice in my head that I am successful and I will continue to be in the lash industry.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am super passionate about the brand I’ve built at Lash + Luxury, a one stop shop for your beauty needs. My fiancé and I own a very PINK, Instagrammable lash and brow salon in the Frisco/North Dallas area.
I remember the exact moment I wanted to pivot my career during the pandemic. We watched a YouTube video with the owners of LivBay Lash and their relationship as a husband and wife team inspired us. They started from nothing and grew their business into an eight figure company. I thought to myself, “why couldn’t we do the same thing?”. We are ways away from that type of growth, but for us, what also started as a small idea, out of our own guest bedroom in our house, turned into a tangible, flourished lash and brow salon. Everyday I feel so grateful I was able to take my career into my own hands. As a salon owner, I am able to make my own schedule, be my own boss and hopefully create financial freedom for our future growing family.
The best part about being a lash boss babe, is the opportunity to help other women feel beautiful in their own skin. In the beauty community, having lash extensions is a game changer. My clients wake up and feel beautiful without having to spend hours putting on make-up because of their lashes. I get to meet all different types of women; lawyers, college students, women who own their own business, stay at home mom’s, etc. I absolutely love learning and supporting all women in their different walks of life. Another huge impact I feel that I am making is being able to give lash artists a safe and comfortable environment to be authentically themselves. A lot of big name, lash salon chains put their lash artists under great amounts of pressure to have an unrealistic turnaround time with their clients. Big lash businesses like that usually only care about how many clients they can get in and out which leads to poor quality of work. Since I am a lash artist myself, I understand every issue that can arise for my contracted lash artists and I empathize with them. I don’t put unrealistic expectations on our contracted lash artists, because I am right there with them adhering to the standards I hold for myself.
I would love readers to know how different we are compared to others in the lash and beauty industry. We are making our mark on the map in Frisco and continue to focus on quality over quantity at Lash + Luxury. After all, it is a luxury service and shouldn’t be rushed!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three important qualities or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey were: determination, resilience and taking advantage of my resources and support system.
Resilience and determination go hand in hand. In order to be successful, in whatever you define as success, will require overcoming setbacks and failed attempts. Being able to move forward and learn from those experiences are so important. There will always be bumps in the road. Within my own business, if I had let a disgruntled client, a “no show”, or broken water heater at the salon, ruin my day, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Whatever what journey you are on, if you are passionate and determined you will make it through. I am determined to be successful at whatever I do, no matter what.
Lastly, the most important thing to take advantage of is any resources you have available to you. Whether that is your family and friends who support you or a mentor who has gone through everything you eventually will. I had both. Without my fiancé, I wouldn’t have been able to take a huge risk by leaving my 9-5 job within the airlines industry to start a business. His support and his belief in me pushed me to be my best. He believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. Reaching out to someone who can help mentor you through your journey will also help you know that you’re not alone and that your goal is achievable.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
Lash + Luxury’s ideal client is someone who knows the importance of self-care or wants to make self-care a priority. Lash extensions are a luxury service and is an investment that requires bi-weekly maintenance. Whether it’s your one and only beauty splurge or your the type of person to upkeep you hair, nails and skincare, every type of person deserves to have some self-care time. We are welcoming to any person in any walk of life. Whether it is your first time or you are someone who has been getting your lashes and brows done for years, we are here to help along your beauty journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://square.site/book/XHGJHT4SBYX7N/lash-luxury-frisco-tx
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lashandluxurybeauty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lashandluxury
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-george-7bb563103
Image Credits:
HanLeigh Photo Lash + Luxury, LLC
