Today we’d like to introduce you to Shquina Conner.
Hi Shquina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have been wearing eyelash extensions for 7 years. I LOVE them! They have absolutely been a game changer. While sitting at my desk at my full-time job. I started to think of ways I could earn extra money. I would work 12 hours Monday through Friday most weeks. I wanted to do something that I enjoyed and would not mind doing in my spare time. That same day I decided to look into lashing and what all I would need to start. At the time, I was getting my lashes done by Dawn Davis at Face Studio in Mesquite, Tx. I reached out to her and asked when the next time would be she would have a class.
That was in November 2018, and I knew I would take the class in January. I typically take a birthday trip in January, so I knew this was something I really wanted to do! I started telling all my friends and some coworkers and family members that I was taking a class and that afterward I would need models. I took the class in January 2019 and that following weekend I started taking models. I was able to practice on my model, which was my hairstylist, and I was able to complete the look and now my very 1st model had a full set of lashes! I practiced in my free time and continued to take models. At the beginning of my journey, I was only taking tips, but after buying the many products and seeing the time I was spending on a set, I started to charge a flat fee for a full set and a flat set for fills. I still have many clients today that I started lashing in 2019. I am forever grateful for them.
In 2021, I decided to go to lash school in an effort to get the hours to take the state exam. I attended DFW Lash University, completed those hours, and tried my hand at the state exam! Passed! I was now a licensed eyelash technician in the state of Texas.
Never did I have a drawn-out plan of how my lash career would go. In the beginning, I knew it was something I wanted to get into and also knew that it would be another source of income.
I love to see my client’s face after completing a full set. It felt good to see my clients return, and I am still saying that to this day.
I am so extremely grateful for each and every client that I have ever had!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road! With any business, you have to do what you have to do to market and get your name out there. I am again thankful for all of my clients and the referrals.
Lash extensions are very time-consuming and tedious, might I add. This is where the hard work and dedication come in. Like with anything, you have to keep practicing and practicing. Learning something new to add to the services I offered, such as hybrid and volume lashes, was something on a different level! You always want to be able to provide whatever your customer is asking. With practice, I learned how to accomplish those services as well. All I knew was there was no giving up for me!
We’ve been impressed with IlashedbyNikki, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
“IlashedbyNikki,” a black-owned business specializing in eyelash extensions. They are easy to manage with keeping up on your fills. With lash extensions being more and more popular, it’s something that you would not want to miss trying! What sets me apart from others is my story. I am so proud of myself for never stopping and never giving up, Turning an extra source of income into a business. I enjoy what I do, and I hope and pray that my story will help someone. Someone that wants to start a business and start doing something they love.
If you are in the DFW area, I would love to have you as a client! Stop by! I can answer any questions and address all concerns. I always try to make sure all questions are being answered to give you the knowledge that you need to make you feel at ease.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I take pride in my work; I feel that my clients are paying for a service, and they deserve the best. I have done my research to make sure I am always using top-of-the-line supplies. I continue to network and continue to learn as this is a never-ending learning business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://iLashedbyNikki.as.me/
- Instagram: i_lashed_by_nikki
- Facebook: I_Lashed_bynikki
- Other: Google ILashedByNikki
