Today we’d like to introduce you to Yazi Troche.
Hi Yazi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started off doing lashes because I was broke and in college going through a hard mental and financial time. I used my last $1K to take a lash class and decided after doing the class that it was not something easy. Ultimately I didn’t want to pursue it. However, two weeks after taking the course, I ended up practicing on a couple people, and it turns out I was actually pretty good at it!
My friends and I posted on social media. From those posts, I was able to get booked out for the next 3 months. Within a month I had a physical place of business, was able to get out of my financial stress, and everything seemed to turn around. It wasn’t until about 3 years in that I picked everything up and moved to a new city (Orlando). Within three days of being in the new city, I was booked out for months – doing classes, lashes, and selling products. At this point, I knew that this was going to be something bigger, and I was going to take it there!
I networked with the right people and was able to open up a very small storefront. A few months later, my landlord was working on a bigger storefront location and gave me first access. I immediately fell in love! Thus “The Local Lash Babe Orlando Salon & Store” was officially born.
Throughout the next couple years, I networked with a few people in the industry, where I got the opportunity to come to New York. A dream that I’ve had since I was very little! I wasn’t going to pass that up. So, I traveled back and forth for quite some time for about 6 months before I decided on moving here full time (while also maintaining my space in Orlando).
We’re currently located in Flatbush Brooklyn and trying to build clientele. I have big dreams for LLB and I can’t wait until it all comes true!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been an easy road at all. As a first time business owner some of the things I struggled with were not really having the proper knowledge on income and finances. Such as, budgeting and making profit, in addition to saving for tax time. Not only that but how to handle clients and customers professionally. Pretty much a crash course in just the legalities of running a business.
I luckily got in contact with a consultant, someone who SAVED me from making horrible decisions in my business and taught me how to be a business owner. This consultant pointed me in the right direction and put me in rooms with amazing people.
Another challenge I face in my now 7 years of owning my lash business, is finding time to take care of myself. As a service provider for many years, you become accustomed to putting clients first. I hardly would ever cancel or reschedule people even when I was going through a hard time mentally or physically. It had a huge impact on my health and wellness, and so boundaries were set.
If I could give anyone looking to start a business any advice, it would be to make sure you have a business consultant to talk with. Seek advice, ask questions on how to run a business, especially one service-based. It is hard, and sometimes you don’t have all the answers. Make sure you also listen to your body, and know when to rest.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Local Lash Babe?
I sell lash products for other lash artists.
I’m currently offering any lash extension service for only $99 for clients’ first service with me! Each service takes around an hour and fifteen minutes!
You can reach and message me on Instagram @thelocallashbabe_ or my website thelocallashbabe.com for any info and to book an appointment or purchase any supplies.
If you want to follow along my entrepreneur journey, check me out at @theyazimarie
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I am absolutely a risk-taker! I’m an honest believer in “No Risks, No Reward”. Taking a risk is super scary, but you have to believe in yourself. I also feel like there is no motivation if you don’t take a risk. After you take a huge risk, you have the motivation to try, to make sure it’s worth it.
My entire business has been about taking risks:
Spending my last $1K on taking a lash class
Moving from Fort Myers FL to Orlando FL
Opening a storefront and then opening another only 8 months later
Now leaving everything to move to NYC full time to do lashes and pursue my passions as a content creator
Pricing:
- Lash extension service for only $99 for clients’ first service with me
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thelocallashbabe.as.me/schedule/4d91fe89/?calendarIds=12191651
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelocallashbabe_/?hl=en
