Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Briones
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It was about 13 years ago and I was in my mid twenties and at the time i had two little girls . I had an Autistic daughter and a toddler . I had an admin job which paid well but I was still struggling to make ends meet. I had a house note car note , bills and groceries to buy . It was hard and some days I didn’t have anything extra in my budget. I did alot of research on what exactly I could do to make some extra money. I knew there had to be something I could do to make ends meet. I found a two days lash and brow course and I decided to give it a try.
I invested a small tax return I received and made the decision to invest in myself and hope for a return.
I took the class , it was a brief class with minimal info and live models .I felt it was more of a how to and not much of a why?? I bought supplies after class and the next day at work I told all my friends. I was lucky to have great co workers and a few of them let me start services on them asap. They even paid me for it! I was excited! They referred me to friends and family and I worked from home after my regular job and on weekends. My couch was my first service bed. I eventually bought a massage bed and set up in one of my children’s bedroom. It was weird but I made it work.
I saw I was definitely making the extra money I needed and was indeed making a return . I did that for about 5 years. I wanted to do it full time but it was so hard to take that leap. It was a gamble I wasn’t ready for even though I had a pretty steady client base by then.
Years later I decided to take a licensing course in Cosmetology since licensing had become a requirement shortly after I took my course. I graduated and was offered a position at the Beauty School as the Lash Extensión Specialty Educator. I immediately fell in love with teaching and it just became so natural to me. My goal after I graduated was to open a licensed lash studio (which I did). Teaching was never really the plan right away. Luckily this opened a door with even more opportunity. On a field trip with my students to “The Lash Supply” store in Houston , I was being observed unknowingly by the owners. I had no clue. A few weeks later I was offered an opportunity to be the official brand ambassador, you tube channel host and educator for this great Lash Supply company.
I had to eventually make the decision to leave as the educator for the Beauty school as my schedule at My Salon , teaching and filming with The Lash Supply was just overwhelming. I am still in touch and teach at Houston Training Schools when I can make my self available and I am grateful for them because they became my family for quite a while.
Since then I have expanded to a larger Salon space and provide booth rentals to a variety of Beauty Service professionals.
I am now in a position to be able to concentrate on my business , my clients and my Goals. Hard work really does pay off.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some of the struggles were deciding when to leave my full time job . It took me so long to take the leap. It was hard and scary to think about it.
I also struggled with my services and learning from my mistakes. I didn’t get a lot of info in my class and I had to make a lot of mistakes to perfect my craft. I had to try so many tools and products along the way. I think that’s what makes me a great Educator. So many People giving classes just repeat the same info. They hear it and repeat. I have made so many mistakes I can tell you by experience the how and why.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Lash & Body Studio LLc?
My salon offers Lash & Brow Training, Luxury Lash Extensions , Lash Lift, Brow Lamination Wax and Tint.
I hold Lash & Brow Trainings monthly with “The Lash Supply” in Houston , Dallas and San Antonio for Licensed Beauty pros wanting to expand their services, learn new trends and techniques . Trainings contain extensive info, a full size kit and real live models.
In my salon I primarily specialize in giving you a luxurious Lash & Brow Service in our Zero Gravity Massage Recliner . We are the only salon in Houston that does not lash on a flat and uncomfortable massage bed or a regular recliner . Our zero gravity massage recliner is fully adjustable , gives a full body massage as well as air pressure massage on your legs and feet . Our clients love our Luxury Lash & Brow Services. Who doesn’t want a full body relaxing and pampering massage while they take a lash nap!
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I’ve learned to concentrate on my business and goals before anything. I have learned to stop comparing my
Self to other beauty pros and that marketing is easy when your customers do it for you.
I have also learned that the greatest bet you can make is on yourself . You have to plant that seed in order to enjoy the fruits of your labor , but most of all you have to water that seed daily and religiously.
Pricing:
- $100 Luxury Classic Lash Set
- $120 Luxury Volume Lash Set
- $65 Luxury Brow Lamination , Wax & Tint
- $650 Beginner Lash Training
Contact Info:
- Website: Lashnbodystudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lashnbodystudio_htx
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lashbodystudiohtx
