Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Powell.
Jill, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After years of working in salons and building my clientele up, I decided to make the jump and rent a space to work alone and start my own business in 2013. I worked in my space for six months and realized that I was so busy I needed an assistant/receptionist and a bigger space.
I found a cute little loft-type space across the street from the room I was renting and that’s where it really took off. I eventually hired another esthetician to work with me and help take my overflow of clients. After 2 years of being in the loft, it was time to find another even bigger space. We moved across the street from the loft into a house right on Coleman Blvd. While working there, I ended up putting in two stations for hairstylists.
After another 2 years, we were busting at the seams and need to find an even bigger space. With no luck in finding an already built-out space, I decided it was time to take the big jump and build out a new space. In October 2019, after months of blood, sweat, and tears, Charleston Lash & Beauty Bar opened its new doors with five hair stations, four esthetics rooms, and a custom spray tan room. As of today, we have three hairstylists, six estheticians (lash stylists), a front desk coordinator, and a salon manager. Charleston Lash & Beauty Bar is the only salon in Charleston that has six lash stylists to choose from.
After 12 years of lashing, I wanted to share my knowledge and experiences by creating workshops for lash artists and that will be available very soon. Education is extremely important in our career field. We strive to make sure we are always in the know of the latest products and services all while maintaining the health of our client’s hair, lashes, brows, and teeth.
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?
Of course, there is always struggles with building a new salon. I definitely had my fair share of doors shut in my face. I’ve been denied loans in the beginning, but just got creative and found other ways to invest in my business.
I’ve had difficult employees and clients to handle that tested me big time. At the end of the day, you just have to do your best and learn from any mistakes that were made. In the salon world, being resilient and able to change gears quickly are required traits in order to become successful.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a licensed esthetician but specialize in eyelash extensions, brows, and makeup. I have built my business up mainly from eyelash extensions. I took my first class in 2008 and started building my clientele up.
In 2013, I was hired on with Xtreme Lashes to travel around the US training other lash stylists. After 2twoyears of traveling, I decided to put all of my attention into expanding my business into a full-blown salon. Through the years, I have taken multiple classes to learn volume lashes, brow lamination, and microblading. I would say my knowledge and experience in lashes set me apart from the rest in my area. I specialize in only volume lashes that give clients the lashes they’ve always wanted but also maintaining the health of their lashes as well.
I loved teaching others to do lashes so much that I am now in the process of creating my own workshops for lash artists that have taken a beginner’s class but still need more education while building their client list. Also after working with numerous brands of lash products, I have begun testing products to find the perfect supplies needed to create great lashes.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I would say that my biggest fan will always be my mom. She has supported me from the beginning and pushed me through the bad times. I look up to the first lash trainer that certified me for my first certification years ago.
She is the most positive, motivating person Ive met. I recently traveled to Arizona to train with one of the top lash artists in the business and she gave them tools to expand my brand and push myself to step outside of the box and I’m so thankful to have reached out to her. My salon manager and I have not only become great friends but also have worked tirelessly by my side recently to keep employees and clients organized.
Without her help, I would have never reached where I am at today and I am so grateful to her.
Contact Info:
- Email: charlestonlash@gmail.com
- Website: www.chaslashandbeautybar.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/chaslashbeauty
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/charlestonlash
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/chaslashbeauty
Image Credits
Shelby Thorpe of Ecclesiastes311 Photography
