Community Highlights: Meet LaToya Holley Scruggs of Eye Love Lucy’s Lashes & Brows

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hello, it is with sincere appreciation to Voyage for the opportunity of interest in sharing my story. I’d first like to say that I am a woman of God and very strong and confident in my Faith.

I am a mother of three amazing young adults and a wife to a man who supports and pushes me to strive for greatness.

Growing up I’ve always enjoyed anything pertaining to glam and beauty I’ve always enjoyed the pampering of others. I’ve endured many obstacles in my life, working in environments where other women would go to the extreme to sabotage my work, make comment’s when I walked by ex. “this isn’t a fashion show” or “who does she think she is”.

.blah blah blah.

I suppose my professionalism, self-respect, my attire that I wore a matching pair of shoes with and a matching purse/tote, the compliment’s of other’s, and the smile I continued to carry on my face no matter how hard they tried made my day was too much for them.

I was also a Mary Kay consultant during my time of employment. Making “red jacket” 3 time’s. I had a business mentor who only tried to belittle me and make me feel less than. I was told I wasn’t making it to the top in Mary Kay because I didn’t have the look. I needed to change my appearance. After two meetings’ sat in my car wondering why so many women couldn’t adapt to me and treat me with the love and respect that I show and give.

Every day I’d realize more and more that Corporate was not for me!

I also realized that I needed to be my own boss, I needed to step out on Faith!

But it was something important holding me back because I needed to be Licensed. I was embarrassed by not having a High School Diploma or a GED.

My oldest son’s counselor informed me of him Graduating early ahead of his class. So, I challenged myself to get enrolled in Penn Foster College and within 4-5 months, I received my High School Diploma. How amazing I got my High School Diploma month’s before my oldest son got his. It wasn’t easy, But I did it!

Soon after I enrolled in a Lash Extensions School, got my License in Eyelash Extensions and Certified as a Microblading Artist. So, then it was time to look for a location to run my business. Looking for week’s, everywhere was so expensive. One day, my husband called and said to be ready. We went to a couple of location’s, one that I had marked off my list because of the amount. We went to look anyway!

To sum it up my husband went into his pocket and paid the deposit without confirming with me that I was truly ready lol.

I was literally pinching his thigh and mumbling a few choice word’s lol. Once leaving, I told him “Thanks for asking me” (mind you, in the car he told me God was going to provide me with a location that day). So, he asks, “don’t you always preach about Faith” before I could respond he says ok lol.

Fast Forward, after my first year I decided to add a second suite. Then, someone I thought was a true friend for almost 16 yrs. and my Spiritual Counselor asked me to add a third suite for her. I was planning team building to help other women by renting booth’s out and the possibilities of team building. My husband talked with the owner’s of the property, they knocked down two wall’s which made 3 suite’s. To my surprise, this so-called friend 2 week’s before my re-grand opening, her first, she came to me asking for the wall to be put back up or if I’d ask the owner’s to allow her into another suite. No explanation whatsoever was given. I was historically hurt. The next day I gave her the deposit back and the day after that she moved her equipment out and just like that our friendship was out the door. Many people ask to this very day why did I give her deposit back, why did I allow her to get her equipment out, and why didn’t I take her to court?

Well… I figured with the Faith that I carry from day to day, what better way to win than to allow God to fight my battle’s.

We’ve all heard the saying “hurt people hurt people “well, not me! And if by chance I have then it’s certainly not intentional and I wouldn’t mind apologizing if brought to my attention.

It was a bit of a struggle trying to build my Lash Clientele while trying to maintain the burden a so called friend had put upon me. But I didn’t give up, no matter how hard the struggle seemed, no matter how many obstacle’s came my way. My husband covered rent so that I could focus on building my business.

When the additional suite’s were added, I started to feel it was a setup, a hope for me to fail. The trick of the enemy !

But, anyone who knows me knows that I wear Faith very well. There are days I didn’t have client’s . But even to this very day, I remain focused on the good. If I don’t have any client’s I do marketing for my business. I’ll be quick to tell anyone that if something is truly your passion, don’t allow the lack of support, clientele, and lack of follower’s on social media to push you into giving up. Success comes immediately for some, and for other’s such as myself it comes with lot’s of tear’s, dragging my feet through the mud, setback’s, let down’s, disappointment’s and we may even take a few losses. But I am a firm believer that it’s only to make us stronger. And we must fight through the storm before our breakthrough of entering into a season of abundance. Many day’s I walked into my establishment Praying, crying, and asking God to make a way. Client’s were becoming more consistent, then I was having a hard time with inventory. I’d cry from my husband, my mom, my sister, and my young adult’s supporting me financially. They are divinely my team. I felt Embarrassed because I wasn’t being as successful as a business owner.

Though I was struggling, I was eager for more lol, I needed to go to school to become a Master Educator in Eyelash Extensions, but I had no money, and as usual, my family supported and funded my way. I felt addicted to the Eyelash Extensions world. I wanted more in the industry.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Omg… By no means has it been smooth. I am an example of the saying “No one has traveled the road of success without ever crossing the street of failure’s, God never promised us an easy journey in life, only a safe arrival.” I never knew becoming an entrepreneur would be so challenging.

Some day’s I feel the harder I strived to make my business successful, the more obstacle’s has come my way. I’ve learned so far that becoming an entrepreneur has turned me into a “cry baby” Lol… Seriously, I can’t Blame it all bad tear’s because God definitely (his timing) shows up and shows out for little ole me numerous time’s.

The property owner’s allowed me to put my business name on the building for having three suites’. After about two week’s I get a call from another tenant informing me that my sign was being removed.

We make it up there and it narrowed down to my name being on the front of the building made it seem as if I owned the entire building lol, so to please whoever was complaining they took it down and put it above the window.

Due to the size I was given (per property owner) my sign is so small that you cannot even  see it unless you’re in the parking lot. Out of all of the businesses my sign is the smallest, I wasn’t allowed any color on it. But the small sign must look big in the eye’s of some. I figure they may see the bigger vision of what’s to come.I know God is setting me up for a huge success story.

He’s allowed some of my client’s to give me huge tip’s.

I had a friend fly in from out of town to get her Lashes done and to pray over my shop. Well, that’s one of those day’s God showed up and showed out . After the Prayer that touched my soul, my friend looked at me and said “the Lord just told me to pay your rent” I’m still crying, shaking my head No, I told her “I can’t let you do that “she responds saying “you’re not letting me do anything, it’s the Lord and I have to be obedient and do what he just told me to do”. She then. Proceeds telling me that the position God is preparing me for that I would be paying others’ mortgage’s someday. “BY FAITH I TRUST AND BELIEVE” I led her to the bank and she Blessed me with more which was $1,000. I was so emotionally grateful. But I was also confused because  a part of me was excited because I definitely needed it, the other part of me was embarrassed as If I had asked for the money. Lol

When I told my husband, who rode with me, he didn’t have a clue what was happening. He was in shock seeing the Blessing that was given. He told me “Lady you know that man (God) always takes care of you. To show our appreciation, He smoked her a Turkey for Thanksgiving the following week to have at her relative’s house while she was in town visiting. He’s the man in the kitchen, and on the smoker. That was the least we could do!

Then, almost a year later, I get a call from a woman wanting consultation on her eyebrows that another artist had previously jacked up. SMH, She came in Friday afternoon; I was honest and told her to wait and allow the pigment to fade out for a few more months. She insisted, so she. And back around 6 that evening. Well, to sum it up she didn’t leave until 12:46 AM. She instructed me while working on her brows, I felt so overwhelmed, overpowered, frustrated, pissed… But I remained humble. Upon completion I took photo’s and she gave me a $25 tip. I left heading home around 1:15, I had to be right back at 7 AM. I called my mom and called my husband telling them I felt God was testing me. I awaken to a text message accusing me of jacking her brows up, I was sent photos of tools that I needed to upgrade and relearn my measurements because her brows were up higher and did not move when she would intentionally frown. Lol, I can laugh because they were actually swollen ok.

Long story short, I responded back professionally but Lord knows I wanted to bluntly go off.

Late Saturday afternoon my phone rang, I was emotional because of all the early mornings, late nights of work at the shop, school for Master Educator online & Onsite, plus trying to maintain home, etc. I had no time for rest. And not to mention back and forth to the ER for extremely high blood pressure to the point I had no other option but to stay home and rest for a few weeks.  So, I answered and she’s apologizing and saying her brows were actually swollen and, in my mind, I like “duh” but anyway, I couldn’t be rude to her if I really wanted to because she really had a sweet spirit.   After forgiving her, I told her to be careful and to let me know when she arrived because she’s a traveling nurse and she headed out to Atlanta around 4 AM that  morning. She did let me know she’d made it safely. The day after that which was Sunday, she sent my Cash App asking if it was mine. Around 3 AM I was up crying, Praising God, just up. I heard my Cash App go off; I’m thinking oh she must feel bad a sent me a little more for the tip. Let me tell you, I didn’t check it until 7 AM, I first saw the email of encouragement and how she knows I’ll be successful and give far in my business, etc., then I see $850. When I say, it was another one of God’s showing up and showing out moments…. Please believe me. Because she was a traveling nurse, she wasn’t going home for that Thanksgiving so, to show our appreciation we funded and cooked her family at home their entire Thanksgiving meal.

Remember the so-called friend who moved in and moved right back out, leaving me her full suite rent that my husband was covering just to make sure I didn’t give up because of someone walking out on me. Well, we were $750 short of the full amount due this particular month.  I had cried because this man of mine was footing the cost of it and I felt so bad. He had this burden because I chose to trust and help someone that I thought was a friend. No matter how much he tried assuring me that I did nothing wrong, I still feel bad about it. Anyway, not only did God provide what I was lacking but an additional $100. So, I know who my Heavenly Father is and if you just have Faith and Believe he will definitely provide.

This has been a bumpy road, but every obstacle has made me stronger!

I once heard a person say that when you are trying to walk a fine line, you will become under attack. I’ve had so-called friend’s who knew my problem’s, knew my pain, and my struggle’s who basically laughed, telling other’s.  But I’ve taken that embarrassment, hurt, and pain, and right now in the midst allowing it to make me stronger and strive harder.

Some walked away from me, but I’m now at peace with everything that God has shown me, taken away from me. This season I’m Manifesting wealth, prosperity, unity, business connection’s , peace, inspiration, motivation, dedication, spiritual relationship’s and not allowing the enemy to break me down.

This is my time to rise, shine, show up and show out. I’m working hard to beat the obstacle’s and challenge’s.  I will show the world that “I am the daughter of the king who is not moved by the world for my God is with me & goes before me. I do not fear because I am his!

Obstacle’s /Challenge’s will not stop nor define me!

God promises to make something good out of the storms that bring devastation to your life, –Romans 8:28

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Eye Love Lucy’s Lashes & Brows LLC’s name speaks for itself.

When trying to decide on a business name I wanted to assure it’d be something catchy and attractive. So took my nickname “Lucy” and played around with several names. And immediately I knew this one was the one. It just sounded right. Lol

I am a Licensed Eyelash Extensionist, Microblading Artist. Master Educator, I published my own Eyelash Extensions Manual (Amazon)

I specialize in Lashes, Brows, Lash Lift, Lash Tint, 2- Day Eyelash Extensions Certification Courses.

I am a part-time Master Educator at Flavors Beauty Academy.

I am known for inspiring and motivating other’s .

So, allow me to formally introduce myself. I am the proud owner of Eye Love Lucy‘s Lashes & Brows LLC.

I am full of Glamour, Beauty, and lots of Excitement. (Every woman should feel good about herself)

I am purposeful & self-confident.

I’ve always enjoyed the pampering of others by adding a force of enhancement’s  to other women. It’s always such an amazing feeling to hear and see the facial expression’s  of “aww, OMG, wow”, etc. on the faces of many women. It definitely gives a feeling of accomplishment knowing that even though it is through adding to the natural beauty that’s already there that I somehow made a difference.

My business is one of the sponsor’s for my daughter’s Nonprofit Organization (Aniah’s Empowered Angels) at the age of 9yrs old, now 16yrs old. She creates and the host’s her very own giveaways allowing less fortunate children to shop for free. Two book’s published on Amazon, Ambassador and starting her boutique business. I do all of her marketing, find location’s  for her to host her event’s, help with donations, etc.

I open the door’s to my establishment allowing Flavous Beauty Academy to come for their Field trip’s.

I am apart of the Chambers of Commerce.

I also have a hair product line that Grows, Thicken, and Repairs hair.

All of my service’s I take  pride in. It’s a Blessing to be a Blessing to other’s.

I feel unique in a way, simply because no matter the storm or the battle’s I still remain humble. I accept Faith with dignity. I am brave and go hard for what I want.

I don’t compare myself to anyone else because what God has for them is for them and what he has for me is for me!

Blessed is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill his promise. – Luke 1:45

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
God has taken me to a new level of success. He’s about to blow the mind’s of those who laughed,  doubter’s, the nonbeliever’s, my hater’s. Those who wanted me to fail, give up, God is about to show them that the place of business where a request for a wall to be put back up… God has provided me a year later with something grater! I’m continuously told my establishment looks magazine ready lol.

All I can say now is ………Get ready because God is about to show up and show out again.

Who ever is inspired, touched, motivated by my Truth I appreciate you for your time and interest . And once again many thanks to Voyage team for your interest as well .