Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Rodriguez- Johnson.
Laura, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I became an Esthetician at the time I had the worst acne of my life. And I have to add I was also pretty lost in my career path but I knew my passion was people. Once I started Esthetic school, it all came super easy to me. From one license to the next, I was hands deep with skin and on a journey to clear my own skin. If you saw a picture from 6 years ago to now, you would not recognize me. I kind of take pride in that. I did not go the antibiotic or Accutane route. I just changed my lifestyle, fed my body good things, made the gym a priority, and went all-in with microdermabrasion and peels! Beyond skin, my newest passion is lashes and Microblading. Both were not in the agenda starting this career path… I mean Blood literally will make me pass out!! But, the art of microblading has captured my heart and there is no turning back. I love seeing my clients face and confidence change once they see their brows or lashes.
My clients have all become more than a name in my phone. We share it all and sometimes us mamas just need a little love. To be honest, if it wasn’t for my license as an esthetician, I would not even have a thought of getting anything extra for myself and I’ve made a mental note of that through my pricing and holiday deals. We all want to feel a little extra and sparkly and if I have the ability to share my gift at the right price for mamas like me trying to feel confident with a sprinkle of lashes here and there, well I’m gonna do it.
On top of it all, I’m a mama and wife. My little girls are the reason I push myself and my husband’s self-drive for a bright future keeps my light burning bright.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Oh lord, it’s been a rollercoaster from the beginning!! From my first year as an esthetician I went ahead and got trained in eyelash extensions. It was great and that was the same year we added a baby girl to the mix! So there I was prego having my lash table around because I was a mobile lash artist on top of working full time. My clients then are still my clients now, big thank you to them! I later rented space and that was the year Harvey hit!! My car with all my supplies and table was underwater while I was In Cali getting ENGAGED!! Talk about a season!! I’ve since then rented here and there but nothing has felt as good as my little space I have now in the city that raised me, South Houston, Texas! I love that I get to build in a place I know like the back of my hand and plan to give back more and more. The councilmen and Fire Marshall were so helpful and got me thinking, who knows, I may join them somehow in making our little city shine a little brighter.
Please tell us about Lashnaps and Beauty.
Lashnaps and Beauty is a place to come and step into a safe space where we can talk about it all while I love on your lashes and brows. I take pride in knowing my clients on a personal level whether it starts that way or not. Your secret is always safe with me. As a mama, I know what it’s like to lose that self-confidence even if that’s with a hair or lash or two. We all go through it. I’m creating a place where we can all feel good about ourselves and spend a little me time.
I’m proud of having the clients who know me and have stuck with me through all the highs and lows of this Industry and my life. Big thank you to them for their trust and beliefs in me as their lash/brow artist and friend.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to do one thing over or differently, it would be getting my license sooner. I love what I do. I believe everything happens the way it’s supposed to. My value for my gift as an esthetician is definitely something I appreciate now and I would only hope my younger self would hold the same value towards helping others feel better or happier with who they are.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Lashnaps_and_beauty
Image Credit:
@jaclynfromjupiter, @thelovelykassi, @lashnaps_and_beauty, @jrendon3
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
