Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Washington
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?
California born and raised, in 2019 right before the pandemic I started lashing then moved me and my business to Atlanta. Initially, lashing was never in my plans. My sister was looking to make some extra money on the side and wanted to take this $800 lash course. Me working at McDonalds full-time and going to school full-time you could imagine I was not interested in doing anyones lashes with little extra time I had. After she begged me to take the course I was still denying her offer, but then one day she offered to pay for the course for me and thats when she got me. Free? yes ma’am. So we took the course and after I made an instagram post on how I just finished this one day lash course that costs me (well me sister) $800, all of my friends wanted me to do their lashes. From there I made a lash page on instagram and posted my work for sale on Facebook Marketplace for $30 per full set. From there I continued to do lashes to get me through college, I loved the fast money but most of all I loved creating and maintaining relationships with my clients. Lashing became so therapeutic for me. What I enjoy more than the money is, meeting new people, giving them a relaxing and comforting experience and them leaving feeling and looking beautiful. Many people ask me why I don’t charge more for my services and the previous sentence is the answer, its never been about money for me I love the entire experience that comes with lashing, the money is just a plus.
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?
For the most part the road has been smooth for me, I feel extremely blessed that I haven’t had any traumatizing experiences while lashing. However, when I moved from California to Atlanta everyone in my life was not supporting me in ways that I needed. I was getting a lot of negative commentary on how I’ll have to rebuild my business and find new clients when I move. I do not take advice from people who have not done or gone through the experience that they are giving advice for, so I took me and my business to Atlanta with my head held high and with no negative thoughts surrounding me or my business.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I went to school for Sociology at California State University Northridge where I got my bachelors degree. Ive always wanted to work with youth, specifically youth of color. Which is one of the main reasons why I moved to Atlanta. I am currently doing what I only dreamed of while in college. One thing that sets me apart from others is my upbringing, I don’t come from the best childhood and most times when I tell my story people are shocked because of how I carry myself and my resilience because my story is something almost out of a book or movie. But I don’t use my past as an excuse for anything, in turn I use it to push me and motivate me to do and be better.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me is being and doing and being better than my parents in this lifetime.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://MinkMeMarissa.square.site
- Instagram: MinkMeMarissa
