Today we’d like to introduce you to Christen Owolabi
Hi Christen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My life as always been far from a fairy tale. I was raised by my Nigerian father with three siblings in Acres Home,Tx . I experienced a lot of childhood trauma at the hands of an ugly divorce and constant custody battle between my parents. Fast forward to the age of 15, I was kicked out by my mom and now homeless. I was lost and confused on what did I do for God to allow this to happen to me. Sadly I without the nurturing love from my parents at that time. I was looking for love in all the wrong places and became pregnant in 9th grade . This altered my whole life , I was now a new mom in 9th grade. With a baby on my hip in 208 , I knew that I now had my daughter depending on me. I got a fast food job and spent my first check enrolling in home schooling. I graduated the next year from high school from a program for Teen moms at 16 years old.
The next few years looked I had two more kids and graduated with my AAS from community college at 22. I entered the medical field and applied to nursing but was rejected due to low test scores . I was place on the waitlist, on the first day of school I was called that a spot opened up for me . Only if I could pay seven thousand for the first semester of the nursing program, I would be to enroll. I was heartbroken and felt defeated on providing better life for my three kids . But I eventually finished with my dream career ( or so I thought). I started working in the Operating room at the beginning of COVID-19. Now knowing my life was yet again about to take a huge turn. The crazy part about life is, just when we think we know what’s going to happen next. God shows you he has another calling for your life .
I started doing eyelash extensions on the weekends after teaching myself from YouTube university. I eventually invested in a real lash training with a Lash instructor in Atlanta via zoom . Once everything began to shut down that was non essential by the president.I began to see this pandemic was more serious then anyone had imagined. Sadly my job role was in jeopardy. Due to understaffing and shortage of Rooms & beds in the hospitals. I had to sign up for extra work shifts just to pay my bills. After each assignment completion, unfortunately I noticed I was just a space filler at my hospital. One day I went work and I felt so uneasy, Unlike any feeling I’ve ever encountered. I kept praying to God for clarity of this feeling. Honestly I felt my whole life until that moment was to please my family for the shame I brought them for having a baby at 15 years old.
At the end of the shift I put in the my resignation letter to the company and started taking clients full time. With not even a dollar saved up to fall back on, I trusted God to guide my new journey. My 1st month full time lashing, I made 10 thousand dollars. This was my sign that this is where I was supposed to be. I was in my living room working from sun up to sun down helping people feel beautiful . It’s four years later and a celebrity lash artist making six figures. I invested in my craft through investing in courses and supplies the helped make my brand what it is today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Unfortunately No, business or my journey called life hasn’t been easy . From getting hit by a car causing me to have life long injuries, to facing 40 years in jail for a crime I never committed. With life it’s not about what you have been through, but what you’ve learned from that experience. As I’ve begun to thieve in my career I lost my connection with the reason why it was possible. God made all of this happen and all of the near death experiences. This was God asking for my attention. Last year in 2023 I became unresponsive on my Jamaica birthday trip . That was the last time God had to try to get my attention. I’ve lived every day since , being thankful for everything I’ve been blessed with and to come for my life. I changed my environment that was enabling my relationship and asked God to bless me with the right people I need to help me live In my purpose.
As you know, we’re big fans of Luxcious Lookz. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My business is a salon prided in helping people feel beautiful and teaching people they are not their past. Potential clients should know that I specialize in eyelash extensions, Locs, waxing, aesthetician, business, coaching, and content creation. I’m known for most of my viral content of just being that pretty boss lady. What sets me apart from other local businesses in Houston Texas is that I’m not here to just get your money. I’m not in this industry just become popular, but also offer free therapy and I safe relaxing, luxurious environment. I’m most proud of showing my community and my children that there will be bumps in the road in life. Also, you can’t give up because you never know when the next time would’ve been, that defined a moment for things to change.
I want your readers to know that anything is possible. And I know that sounds very cliché, but I’m a living testimony of it. My brand is not just for me. It is for every person in the world who ever doubted their self or lived their life for others, being a people pleaser. My brand is about empowerment no matter what you identify yourself as. I truly thought that Saving life in the hospital was my life calling , but God needed my story to truly help and save someone’s life from my testimony.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The qualities I feel that was most important to me and being where I am today is determination, consistency, work ethic, empathy, passion, and most importantly understanding. Now I’m not going to tell you that I started off with this mindset. No, I had to learn with the ups and downs of business and trial & error. When I reflected back on my year before and saw little to no growth I had to change some thing. I’ve always used to philosophy if you wanted to see what your life is going to look like in the next couple of years. Look how you are spending your time, along with the people and places you hang. I’ve learned to be selfish with me. Growing up in such a chaotic childhood. All I wanted to do is please others and pour into them. But I didn’t understand how much I was neglecting myself in the process. I promise to always show up for myself, and continue to hold myself accountable every day and all aspects of my life.
Pricing:
- All lash extensions $100
- In person lash training $450
- Business coaching video call $150
- Locs re-twist $90
- Kid soft Locs $165
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.Luxciouslookz.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/luxciouslookz/
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/luxciouslookz/
- Other: https://luxciouslookz.as.me/
