Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Williams.
Hi Kristen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in New Orleans, LA. After Hurricane Katrina me and my family moved to Marietta, GA. Where I currently reside. After moving to Georgia, I received my GED and is currently a student at Capella University for Business Finance. I am the owner of Eyelash4mE-2. The inspiration to me starting my own business was when I became a mother of two beautiful daughters. I always wanted more for them and working regular minimum wage jobs was not helping me do that. I had faced many struggles as a single mother. Me and my girls face challenges such as homelessness and me not having enough to provide for them. I felt like door after door was being closed on me and I just wanted to give up. But, I got tired of my daughters hearing me cry at night and seeing me struggle to make ends meet. As I would look at them playing, I knew that I never wanted them to grow up and meet the same fate of struggling and begging for help as I had too.
I wanted my children to see that instead of waiting for doors to open up for you can open your own. I got the idea of lashes from when a friend of mine was getting married. She was a very natural kind of woman and wanted the majority of everything to be handmade. Of course, I was not good at hand-making items. But I wanted to stand out as a friend so I found a few lashes I never used and redesigned them into a new look. I was so scared, thinking oh my god, this is bad. They will fall off. She will be mad. But, when she put them on she felt so glamorous and beautiful. She said these were the softest, most beautiful lashes she ever wore before. That gave me the confidence to go public with new designs. I began passing out flyers and free samples and after only a short three months, my mink lashes became a big hit in Atlanta. I was even able to stretch my clientele to other states as well. With so much love and support from social media that we are now a nominee for the Atlanta Small Business Award. I make sure every lash is cut with accurate flair. Every strand is placed with love and care. I design my mink lashes to fit any individual look, need and style. Eyelash4Me-2 offers 25mm, 6dd, 3d, 2d, and natural lashes that are perfect for women who wear eyeglasses as well. We have over 300 5 star reviews from customers all over the states. You too can accentuate your eyes with these gorgeous one-of-a-kind hand-made mink lashes.
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?
The road of starting my own business was not easy and very discouraging. When I first started, I was getting not getting any likes or shares on social media. I would go live to display my products and the majority of times no one would be watching. When I would go out to pass out flyers people would not even look at them or I would find them thrown on the ground. Not to mention, it was very hard to go from place to place to get sales. But, I found the most challenging part was trying to get support from my family and close friends and trying to convince them to believe in you and your dream.
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?
Beside my lash my business. I have a group on Facebook called Eyelash4Me-2 Moms Club where every Tuesday, I teach Build A Brand among other fun activities. During Build A Brand, I teach other ladies how to start up a business by showing them how to write a business plan etc. during my free time. I hand make and design my lashes.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
During COVID-19 one important lesson I learned is that family is important and not to take life for granted.
Pricing:
- 6dd – 25mm mink lashes $7
- 3d – 2d mink lashes $5
- Natural lashes $5
Contact Info:
- Email: eyelash4me.2@gmail.com
- Website: https://eyelash4me-2.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/eyelash4me2
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Eyelash4Me.2
Image Credits
Photography by @tdvisuals
