Exploring Life & Business with Hannah Shin of Lash 101 LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Shin.

Hannah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I moved to the United States from South Korea in 2009. When I first arrived, I didn’t speak any English, so adjusting to a new country and culture was incredibly challenging. For many years, I worked in the restaurant industry, starting as a server and eventually becoming a manager at a Japanese restaurant. Those years taught me resilience, perseverance, and the importance of building genuine relationships with people from all walks of life.

Although I was grateful for those experiences, I knew I wanted to build something of my own. In 2017, I enrolled in esthetics school, and that decision completely changed the direction of my life. It was there that I discovered the beauty industry and eventually fell in love with eyelash extensions. I was drawn to the combination of artistry, precision, and the confidence that a customized lash design could bring to a client.

I began my lash career in Nashville and spent years refining my skills, developing my own styling techniques, and investing in advanced education. Over time, I became known for my customized and textured lash designs, including wispy, anime, and Manhua-inspired styles. What started as a passion eventually grew into a successful business and a career that I truly love.

In 2022, I relocated to the Atlanta area and later founded Lash 101 LLC. Today, I specialize in creating customized lash designs while also educating and mentoring aspiring lash artists. One of the most rewarding parts of my journey has been helping others grow in their own careers and gain confidence in their skills.

The truth is, I wasn’t naturally talented at everything from the beginning. I spent countless nights practicing, and there were times when I became so frustrated that I cried. Instead of giving up, I pushed myself harder, invested in more education, attended more classes, and dedicated myself to improving every aspect of my craft. Those struggles became some of my greatest lessons. They are also the reason I decided to become an educator. I want to help artists who are experiencing the same challenges I once faced and help them reach their goals faster and with more confidence.

Looking back, it’s amazing to think about how far I’ve come—from arriving in the United States unable to speak English to becoming a business owner, educator, and mentor. My English still isn’t perfect, but I’ve learned that perfection isn’t what qualifies someone to help others. I believe my experience, knowledge, and years of dedication allow me to make a meaningful impact on both my clients and my students.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned throughout this journey, it’s that growth comes from perseverance. You don’t have to be perfect to succeed—you simply have to be willing to keep learning, keep improving, and keep moving forward. I’m incredibly grateful for every step of the journey and excited for what lies ahead.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The greatest challenges in my life had nothing to do with business—they were personal.

In 2020, my father was diagnosed with liver cancer and passed away only three months later. It was an enormous shock to me and one of the most painful experiences of my life. During that difficult season, my mother became my greatest source of strength and support.

Then, in 2024, my mother was diagnosed with stomach cancer. For the following year, I put much of my business on hold so I could focus on caring for her and spending as much time with her as possible. During that time, I worked only minimally and was incredibly grateful for the loyal clients who continued to support me and trust me.

After a year-long battle, my mother passed away in July 2025.

Losing my mother was devastating. She was not only my parent, but also my mentor, my biggest supporter, and one of the strongest influences in my life. After she passed, I felt completely lost. There were moments when I wanted to walk away from my business and give up on everything I had worked for.

But before she passed away, my mother encouraged me not to quit. She told me to keep going, keep fighting, and continue building the life I had worked so hard for. I promised her that I would.

At that point, I had a choice. I could retreat from the world and give up, or I could challenge myself and move forward despite the grief. I chose the challenge.

That decision became the foundation of Lash 101 LLC.

Of course, there were many professional challenges along the way as well. When I attended esthetics school, lash extensions were not part of the curriculum. Near graduation, a lash training company came to our school to give a presentation, and that was my first introduction to the lash industry. If I wanted to learn, I had to invest in additional education on my own.

That decision marked the beginning of my lash journey. Over the years, I attended countless trainings and advanced classes through brands such as NovaLash, LashBox LA, Zenshé, and many others. I spent years practicing, studying, making mistakes, and refining my skills. Building a successful career did not happen overnight.

After establishing a loyal clientele and successful business in Nashville for nearly five years, I made the decision to relocate to Atlanta. Starting over in a new city was incredibly challenging. I had to begin again as a salon employee, rebuild my reputation, and eventually start my business from scratch all over again. It was humbling and difficult, but it taught me patience, resilience, and faith.

Today, as I approach the one-year anniversary of my mother’s passing, I am incredibly grateful for the clients, friends, and supporters who have continued to encourage me. Many of them know my story, and their kindness, support, and loyalty have helped me through some of the darkest moments of my life.

I wouldn’t say that I have completely overcome the grief. The truth is, I am still healing and still learning how to move forward without the two people who meant so much to me. But because of my faith, the promise I made to my mother, and the incredible clients who continue to support me, encourage me, and trust me with their business, I have been able to keep going.

Their support has given me strength during the hardest seasons of my life, and because of them, I am continuing to heal, grow, and move forward one day at a time.

Looking back, every challenge has shaped who I am today. While I would never wish those hardships on anyone, they taught me resilience, compassion, gratitude, and the importance of never giving up—even when life feels impossible.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
One of the things I am most proud of is the trust and loyalty of my clients. Some of my longtime clients still travel from Nashville to see me, even years after I relocated to Atlanta. I also have clients who regularly drive an hour or even an hour and a half every two to three weeks for their appointments. That level of trust is something I never take for granted.

One of the compliments I hear most often is, “I can’t even feel that I’m wearing lash extensions.” Many clients come to me after wearing lash extensions for years and tell me they assumed heaviness, irritation, discomfort, or constantly feeling the extensions was simply part of the experience. After their appointment, I often hear things like, “This is the most comfortable set I’ve ever had.” Others have told me that while they may not know exactly what I’m doing differently, they can tell that my technique feels different.

I believe beautiful lashes should never come at the expense of comfort or natural lash health. My goal is not only to create beautiful results, but also to create a comfortable experience that clients can wear confidently for years.

Lash 101 LLC is a boutique lash studio and education brand based in the Atlanta area, specializing in customized eyelash extension designs. I don’t believe that one lash style fits everyone. Every client has different features, eye shapes, natural lashes, lifestyles, and goals, so every design is customized specifically for them.

I am best known for my signature wispy, anime, textured, and Manhua-inspired lash designs. I love studying eye shapes, facial features, and natural lash growth patterns to create designs that enhance each client’s natural beauty. Every set is thoughtfully designed for the individual sitting in my chair.

Education is a newer chapter in my journey, but it is one that means a great deal to me. For years, I received inquiries about training and mentorship. In the beginning, I often turned those opportunities down because I felt insecure about my English. Later, life presented other challenges, including caring for my parents during their illnesses, so teaching remained something I kept putting off.

Over time, I realized that many of the struggles I experienced as a lash artist were things I had eventually learned how to overcome. Through years of education, practice, and trial and error, I developed systems and techniques that made my work more efficient and helped me grow with confidence. This year, I finally decided it was time to share those lessons with others.

My goal as an educator is not just to teach lash techniques, but to help artists avoid some of the frustrations I once faced and shorten their learning curve. Seeing my students gain confidence in themselves and their skills is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

At its core, Lash 101 is about more than lashes. It is about helping people feel confident, building meaningful relationships, sharing knowledge, and continuously pursuing growth, creativity, and excellence in everything I do.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
One piece of advice I would give to anyone just starting out is to not view this profession simply as a way to make money.

From the outside, some people assume lash artists sit in a chair all day and make easy money. I’ve even met artists who entered the industry with that mindset. In reality, this profession requires an incredible amount of patience, precision, responsibility, and continuous learning.

We work around one of the most sensitive areas of the human body—the eyes. Every extension is attached to a single natural lash, one by one, with careful attention to detail. There is very little room for carelessness. If you don’t genuinely care about the health of your client’s natural lashes, problems will eventually arise.

There is a joke in the lash industry that we’re basically surgeons with tweezers. While that’s obviously an exaggeration, there is some truth behind it. The level of precision and responsibility required is something many people don’t fully understand until they actually do the work.

If your only goal is money, it can be easy to cut corners. But if your goal is to create beautiful, healthy results and genuinely care for your clients, you’ll build a career that lasts much longer.

I also spent years investing in education, but some of my biggest growth happened during the long nights when I practiced by myself. Education is important, but implementation is what creates results. The artists who improve the fastest are usually the ones who consistently practice what they learn.

Another lesson I learned is that confidence doesn’t come before action—it comes from taking action. For years, I delayed certain goals because I didn’t feel ready. Looking back, I realize that growth happens when you’re willing to take the first step, even before you feel completely confident.

The artists who succeed long-term are usually the ones who genuinely care about their clients, continue learning, stay humble, and respect the profession. If you focus on serving people well and constantly improving your craft, success will eventually follow.

Whether you’re building a business, learning a new skill, or chasing a dream, remember that everyone starts somewhere. Stay patient, keep learning, and trust the process. The small steps you take every day will eventually become the foundation of something much bigger than you imagined.

Pricing:

• Custom Lash Set, Signature Wispy, Manhua & Specialty Designs: $155 – $287
• Refills: Starting at $85
• Private 1:1 Training: Starting at $1,500
• Education Programs (Online Courses, Group Trainings & Workshops): Coming Soon
• New Client Offer: 20% OFF first full set + complimentary aftercare kit

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lash101hannah.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lash101_hannah