Meet DeCora Shuford of Desirable Lashes By DeCora in Stone Mountain

Today we’d like to introduce you to DeCora Shuford.

DeCora, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve started when I moved to Atlanta, Georgia with my aunt, my role model Lea Shuford October 1st from Flint Michigan to pursue my career in nursing. My mom and a lot of my aunts in my family were in the healthcare field so I thought that was something I wanted to do. I always wanted to have my own business but I didn’t know what kind of business. I  had a passion to take care of elderly people and wanted to open a group home , I didn’t proceed in the healthcare field. I was pondering, stressed out for a while to really figure out what I wanted to do with my life, I’m a single mother I just want the best for me and my son. I didn’t want work a job all my life ,I wanted to do something I love doing.

Seeing A lot of my friends doing something they love doing hairstylist, photographer, barbers, makeup artist, nail technician really motivated me to find something I wanted to do but something they are not doing. I wasn’t a big make-up person but I felt like I always wanted my eyes to pop using mascara or lashes. One of my co-workers started doing mink lash extensions on me in 2017, ever since then, I’ve been addicted. In 2018 she stopped doing them for a while so I did find another lash technician and she was an instructor so I took one of her lash courses in Nov 2018 to become lash Technician. I was excited because I knew it was something for me to do and I found a passion for it.  I started learning different techniques I was using my friends as models for a discounted rate just so I can perfect my craft. Staying focus, asking God for guidance stepping out on faith got me where I am today.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s been up and downs along the way. My main struggles were growing clientele, approaching different types of women, and just managing my own business in general. I feel as though some women may not think Lashes is an important beauty essential like hair and nails.The beauty field is growing rapidly some women keep up, some women may feel as too much or extra .With lash extensions it could be a hit or miss because lash extensions is a longer application unlike the strips or individual lashes and some women don’t like to wait.

I was uncomfortable at the beginning approaching different women until I realized that’s what I need to do to gain and grow in this field and this big city. Yes, women will come to you but I need to go after them as well. Managing your own business can be hard because you literally doing everything on your own. It’s gets overwhelming you have to do this, you have to make sure you have that and you have to budget. Right now, I am working part-time job to fund my business and dreams.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
My business is Desirable Lashes By DeCora. I’m a Lash Technician I specialize in Lash Extensions I apply mink lashes to your real lashes one by one I’ve been doing this for over a year now. I will be selling aftercare lash products soon. I have my very own lip gloss I will be launching this summer it is called Dope Lips By Dee. My goal is to have a one-stop-shop for women for their beauty essentials eyebrows lashes, lipgloss, skincare, and facials.

My personality, my motives, and my goals set me apart from others. Its not all about the money, it’s about making women feel good and look good  about themselves.When women leave my office, I want them to feel relieved from the inside and out. Our lash talks mean a lot we can learn from each other, we can uplift, we can give out resources so we can be a better as women. I love it, I’m doing something I want to do and it’s just the beginning. A lot women have low self esteem, no confidence so it gives me a chance to enhance it and make them feel beautiful again.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was the oldest out of four. I had a brother three years younger than and two younger sisters. My mom was  a single mother. My siblings could go with their dad side  while I would stay home because my dad’s side was  In Battle Creek Michigan and my dad was incarcerated until I was 15. Everyone thought I was quiet, always smiling and goofy in school wish I was around certain people. In school, I was focus on my work and always making others laugh. I knew a lot of people in school and out of school but I wasn’t the popular girl I wanted to be. I was interested in making money every since I was in Teenquest. a (summer  program to help students with employment).I had my first job at 14 every summer I was employed until I was 17.  My mom gave me tough love. She taught me to be independent and take care of priorities first. She told me to make sure you have everything you need and then worry about the things I want.I’m happy that she was loving and hard on me at the same time , because I wouldn’t be the Strong,Straight-Forward,hard working woman I am  today.