Today we’d like to introduce you to Donesha Albrow.
Donesha, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
About two years ago (2017), there was a moment where I was scrolling through my social media and noticed how many of my peers and other young adults were thriving in their careers and I realized that a lot of my generation were creating their own companies and brands rather than seeking employment. I had always had the thought in the back of my mind on creating a business that would allow me to not only work for myself but to create or sell products that I love and is truly passionate about.
So, over the next few months, I really started to ponder on different business ideas that I felt like I would enjoy. and at the time and to this day, my hobbies are traveling and watching YouTube beauty videos. I would watch beauty videos for hours just watching tutorials, reviews about the latest products which resulted in me becoming a huge fan of the makeup and beauty industry. So, me, starting a beauty business, was a no brainer! It was something I truly loved and enjoyed learning about. I knew I wanted to start off small in the hopes of growing my product range. So, I asked myself if I had to choose one beauty/makeup item that I could not live without, what would that be? My answer was LASHES! Your eyes are typically that first thing people see when they greet you. Lashes make your eyes pop and look more awake, and flirty lol. They can be worn to enhance your natural beauty with not only a beat face but also with a fresh bare face. For me, lashes give me a boost of confidence and I wanted to offer a product that could do the same for others.
Fast forward to 2018, this is how Abroad Lashes was created. I began to research the lash industry and begin testing lash samples from several vendors and in June 2019, I officially launched my brand and began taking orders. (Side note: I often get asked, how did I come up with the name Abroad Lashes? I wanted to incorporate my love for traveling into my brand! This is where Abroad came from, my lash style names and logo design.)
Has it been a smooth road?
I wish I could say that the road has been smooth but that would be the furthest from the truth. We all know that when starting a business, it’s going to require a lot of your time and money. I spent lots of late nights working on my business after working 8+ hours at my full-time job while also trying to maintain a social life and making sure I spend quality time with my support system. I sacrificed a lot of sleep and time but it’s all worth it. Also, I did not realize how much it would cost to start a business until I begin the process and let’s just say that it was very scary to take that risk and put money into a business that I truly did not know if it will bring me revenue in return. Being a business owner is truly an investment in yourself and your dreams, so the financial sacrifice was definitely worth it to me.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Abroad Lashes is a lash company that offers several mink and silk lash styles. I pride myself in offering a quality product at an affordable price. My goal is to always provide a luxury type product at a drug store brand price.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Of course! The beauty market is a billion-dollar industry. There is such a wide range of businesses that can fall within the industry and with Houston being one of the top cities with the largest population in the US, there will always be an opportunity to start a beauty brand/business and succeed at it. I actually named one of my lash styles after our beautiful city. 🙂
Pricing:
- Silk Lashes- $13
- Mink Lashes- $15
- Lash Applicator- $5
Contact Info:
- Website: www.abroadlashes.com
- Email: abroadlashes@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abroadlashes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abroadlashes/
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