Today we’d like to introduce you to Desiree Williams.
Hi Desiree, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was always obsessed with beauty. I was the girl who liked to pop everyone’s pimples and help others with their skin routines. That led to me wanting to help others more and make others feel beautiful. I found lash extensions from YouTube and fell in love with the process. I ordered a kit with my last $150 and practiced on my sisters and family. I liked it more than I thought I did. I ended up getting certified. I started in 2019. By the end of 2020, I was lashing full-time and made my first $82k. 2021 I enrolled in Esthetics school and the rest is history.
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?
It has not been a smooth road at all. I was the first person in my family to make 6 figures and I made it so quickly. I did not understand that the back office such as paying the IRS, state taxes, keeping business and personal separate, and building business credit were important. All of it was foreign. Even the simple things such as having an EIN and LLC made no sense to me. But because of my passion and learning my purpose which is breaking the generational poverty in my family, I did so much research and expanded my team to overcome these struggles.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a licensed Esthetician that specializes in Lash extensions, body waxing, and ethical skin care. I am most known for lash extensions and my ability to apply extensions in 1 hour or less. The average time for lash extension application is 2 hours to 2 hours and 3o minutes. When I first started, I used to take 6 hours. I got so frustrated with myself and restless, I knew my clients felt the same way. I was determined to get quicker. I found a few ladies on Instagram that took 45 minutes to an hour for the entire installation. I really used to be a hater – I used to say, “Ain’t no way she lashed in 45 minutes, a whole volume set”. After studying these pages, I followed their tips and tricks and one day I did a volume set in 1 hour and 15 minutes. I was SHOOK. I had to go back through the set and check my isolation and application, making sure nothing was sticking. 2023 will make 5 years in the lash game for me and I am happy to say that I have challenged the norm and have the ability to get the working mom or busy entrepreneur off my lash table, looking like a baddie, in 1 hour tops! 30 minute an eye! I am really proud of that!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Transparency – and not only with those around me but with myself as well. When I first started lashing, I did not have purpose. I wanted to learn a skill to free my time, that’s all. However, I realized that I wanted more than to free my time, I wanted generational wealth, I wanted a life that inspired others. When I realized it wasn’t just about the money or time for me, so many doors opened. Being transparent with those around me was important to my success as well. I was firm in what I wanted despite those around me saying it didn’t make sense or it wasn’t logical – it meaning quitting a decent full-time job to pursue lashing in the middle of COVID. I stood my ground and made no excuses for what I wanted. Now, I’m up.
Pricing:
- Lash Extensions $150+
- Lash Extension Refill $100+
- Lash Lift + Tint $98
- Corrective Skincare $110+
- Brazilian Wax + Vagacial $120+
Contact Info:
- Website: www.desirebeautystudios.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lashgurldes
