Today we’d like to introduce you to Diamond Gardner.
Hi Diamond, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started with lashes out of curiosity the summer of me transitioning from middle school into high school. I was getting to the age where I had more freedom to explore with makeup but no beauty enhancements really caught my interest like lashes did. At the time, the more advanced technique for lashes were individual lashes as versus now, we have advanced to actual lash extension in the industry. The difference of the two is that individual lashes consist of a cluster of false lashes that you place close to the lash line versus with lash extensions you’re taking 1 false lash to attach to one natural lash or creating fans still only attaching to one natural lash. The practice of me doing lashes on others followed all the way through and out of college. Since then, I have perfected my craft and advanced my skills to become a lash artist.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth ride but still enjoyable. There are constantly new things you have to learn and keep up with rather it is with actually running the business or improving your technique. Specifically for the lash and beauty industry, I believe a lot of leaders in the game create a false narrative that you will jump into the industry making 6 figures. It is very possible to make these numbers into a reality but it does not happen overnight, there is a lot of work that comes behind that. In the beginning of my journey that was one of my biggest struggles. I knew I had the technique, great customer service, invested in top classes to further my skills and I could not understand why I was not an overnight success. I had to remind myself that people would have to catch on before I would see the numbers that I were expecting. I knew that I would have to be consistent and continue putting my work out there. If I didn’t have love for lashes and was only in for the money, I believe I would have quit before I got to see any return on my hard work.
I soon came to the realization that proper marketing is the key of success for any business. You can have a great product/service but if nobody knows about it then it does not do the business any justice. I started to think outside the box to help me get my work out there. I started with brand ambassadors at colleges in the Atlanta area. I knew that they were constantly around people and could easily get Diamond Vanity out there. I then continued my learning and invested in a digital marketing e-commerce course offered by google to help me master marketing and brand awareness. It is a journey of constant learning and journey but I do enjoy watching both my business and myself grow together.
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?
Diamond Vanity was created on the belief that beauty does not only consists of external components but internal as well. The slogan for Diamond Vanity is “Forever Gorgeous”. The meaning of this is that no matter if you have enhancements or not, you are always gorgeous as your authentic self when you have beauty on the inside. The problem that I noticed was that a lot of women had issues with not feeling as confidently as they do when they do have beauty enhancements versus when they don’t. I myself had a period where I went through this. After getting no lashes, there was a time where I would not even been seen outside of my house without lash extensions on. I realized that this was a problem that I needed to work on and I did. When creating my brand, I wanted to make sure that my customers knew that the services and products that I provide are enhancements but are not needed to make you your most beautiful self, that happens naturally.
Diamond Vanity started off as a cosmetic line selling lipgloss, lash strips, and body shimmer. We even offered website design services for other small business owners. After I expanded my technique with lash extensions, we added the service which is only the start of many more to be added. The thing that I am most proud of when it comes to my brand is that you feel the love and the care in everything that we put out. We are not just selling products and services but we spend a lot of time of making sure our customers/clients have a great experience from start to finish.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Currently, I have one other person who works with me on the back end of my business. My mom became my business manager and really took the initiative on making sure that I had everything set up to have a success business from. She helped me set up my finances, helps with branding, packaging, marketing, etc. Anything needed to improve my business and help it continue to grow she stays on top of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: diamondvanitycompany.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/diamonds_vaniyco
