Today we’d like to introduce you to Shea Scott.
Hi Shea, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started out installing lashes in my home and/or my client’s home. In a fairly short amount of time, I was able to transition to a shop. That is when things took off for me. My clientele increased and I saw the need to empower other women and single mothers from a business perspective. A number of my clients were single mothers trying to find their way in life to provide a better life for their kids. As a single mother, I know those challenges all too well. My heart went out to those women and I felt the need to help.
At first, I started providing small “how to” mini-workshop classes in my shop. Then, once the word got out, I soon became overwhelmed with women who were interested in starting a career as a lash technicians. I took a giant leap of faith by founding IBeauty Academy. I wrote the curriculum myself and created the structural outline of all classes. Now, I am proud to say that I have successfully certified over five dozen women and have helped them start their very own lash business.
I wanted to provide resources that I only wished were available to me when I started my lash journey. Not only am I training and certifying lash technicians, I also help with marketing and business development.
What I do is so very rewarding and never in a million years would I ever have thought I would be a successful Lash Instructor, Business Coach and Inspirational Speaker! My success did not come without a huge amount of sacrifice. Looking back, it was all worth it!
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?
Not at all… This road of mommypreneurship, entrepreneurship and building a business is not for the weak-minded. It is a struggle most days when you are striving to scale and become a successful business owner, not just locally. I do not know where to start to be honest. There are so many struggles I have went through since being in business these past six years that I could write an entire series. I believe the main struggles for me were Growing as a woman in Life, Business and Self.
I have had to bounce back from the same day to day living as most including a car repo, negative credit, the loss of relatives, relationships, parenting, being a woman and so much more. If experience through struggles and sacrifice were a person, it is definitely TaShea Scot a.k.a Shea.
As a single mother of two, I have had to struggle financially from time to time. Choosing to invest in my business or pay bills. The covid-19 pandemic did not make things any easier. I have always worked hard for every dollar and so thankful I have sustained my household and business 100% solely on my personal income. Would I recommend it knowing the things I do now ABSOLUTELY NOT, but I wouldn’t steer any woman/man away from it. For me, I would say many of my struggles were trusting those around me for business purposes/support, lack of balance with business and personal life, and the lack of understanding business when I started my business endeavors.
During my beginning stages of business, I was not knowledgeable about being a successful business owner. I was taught to make money and find clients. I wasn’t given much insight on how to create and sustain a business. I lost so much money, blew money, made six figures and had no idea three years out of my six as a business owner. Sad, I know.
I knew I couldn’t quit nor stop: For one, I had two babies who solely depended on their mom and were watching me. Me knowing I was the first “role model” they would experience has always kept my eyes open to “Will this affect me or my children”, type of attitude. I have run my business carless, with lack of finances (profit) and struggling through life. As a Mommypreneur, I have definitely hit struggles along the way while being in business since 2016. I can attest to having days not knowing if a client was booking, income was coming or if a student was enrolling into my beauty academy.
The last three years alone (I’ve been in business for six years) was the worst for me, starting in 2019. Losing a very close relative in June 2019 and not even three months later, the passing of my father, September 2019, took me into a whole new mental space I never imagined to experience: being empty, lost and a functional through every emotion that could nearly be experienced. Very traumatic, the least to say. Not less than four months later, I miscarried dealt with relationship loss of a boyfriend and “friends”. Fast forward six months later, my mommy had a tragic car accident that left me wondering “What is going on around me.” The emotions of life never seemed to stop. I mentioned those major life events because there are other women/men similar to me who do not find the strength or have the support to say, “It is okay. Grieve and grow. Grieve and grow.”
I STILL tried to hold strong, teach class and manage emotions at one time. I believe I allowed my business and work to consume and suppress my emotions. I was a moveable and functioning cloudy, emotional wreck and the saddest part was 1% of those around me GENUINELY KNEW. “
Even during the course of grievance, COVID hit months later. The experience of the infamous coronavirus. I thought it was the end of my business and life if we are being transparent. I had no clue what to do, how I was going to do it nor what to expect. I lost my main source of income and it hit my household hard. It was a turning point for me to decide if I was going to stand up or continue to allow an unseen incident detour my main reason for being a business owner: Providing for myself and my children in addition to helping other women grow in the Lash industry as well as servicing my clients.
So many reasons I could have decided to give up and not pursue my dreams, but I knew that if I looked up, I would regret that decision. Not to mention, my FAITH and Spirituality plays an even major role in my success through my struggles. The life events mentioned over the last three years were highlights of my struggles that I honestly dealt with primarily on my own and was grateful to have certain individuals around who were able to help/support me in some way during those seasons in my life.”
When struggles arise as a business owner facing life adversities, business adversities, or anything else, don’t ever give up. Learn to grow through the struggles placed in front of us.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
iBeauty Academy is my baby and one of my business endeavors. I started the academy in November 2018 after becoming the 4th Licensed Lash Instructor in Texas. We are regulated through TDLR and offer 320 Hours Lash Specialty License and 750 Hours Esthetician License with virtual and in-person learning. Most of our students choose the hybrid option. We have maintained 92% and above state board passing rate. Our students gain employment after they complete our program or become their own bosses.
I am most proud to first be 36 and a successful three years private beauty academy owner and one of the first in my generation to set a tone to let others know WE CAN make it happen. I also love the fact that our staff pours into our students to be successful and never quit. We pride in giving our students the recipe for success as Lash/Estheticians as well as Business owners. Yes, we teach business classes and how to build their credit as well while in the program. We definitely supercede the minimal requirements TDLR has for us. Being a private beauty school owner means that I maintain financially for my business 98% on my own. iBeauty Academy will be in a city near you, wherever she needs to be. We have licensed students in DFW, Louisiana, Tyler, Longview, Austin to name a few cities. I have also helped other beauty school owners through their process to open and pass their inspections with TDLR. I do provide a program to help other individuals open their own beauty/barber schools. We enroll students anywhere in the state of TX. We currently have students in DFW and Longview area. iBeauty Academy first location was in DeSoto, TX and Longview, TX. We are in the process of re-opening in DFW 2022.
Our Lash Program is $4,500 and Esthetician Program $6,500. Students do accept models for lashes, facials, waxing, body contouring and PMU.
Please know in Texas, Lash artists are required to have a License not just a certification. Set your business up to scale the right way.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I love listening to Sarah Jakes, TD Jakes, Larry W. Brice, SR. Les Brown, Marketing with Monroe, Eric Thomas just to name a few.
My must reads are The 4 Agreements, The shaping of an effective leader.
To be honest, whatever catches my attention for what I am seeking is what I read or listen to. My main focus podcasts or motivation is any church podcasts and beauty boss blogs.
Pricing:
- $4500 – Lash Specialty License
- $7000 – Esthetician License
Contact Info:
- Email: admissions@ibeautyacademy.net
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheLuvLashesiBeautyAcademy
