Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Richardson.
Hi Taylor, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up working salons, my parents opened their own salon in my hometown when I was a teenager and I knew then that my passion was in the beauty industry. In 2018 I was a retail manager at a well known beauty store, I loved my job but felt burnt out from customer interactions and the time I was spending away from my son who was a toddler at the time. When covid hit and my store temporarily closed, I realized how much I was missing out on in my personal and family life and decided that I needed a change. I enrolled in the esthetics program at Paul Mitchell The School in Springfield Missouri and started working towards getting my Esthetician license in August of 2020. I graduated in March of 2021 and immediately made the move with my family to the Kansas City area for a fresh start. At this point, I was unsure of where my focus would be in esthetics. I received certifications in chemical peels, micro needling, lash extensions and lash lift and tints. I got my first opportunity to work with my license as a lash and brow tech at a small shop in the Waldo area and was so grateful to be given a chance to jump in to the career I had been dreaming about. Business at first was extremely slow being as I was brand new to the industry, had no experience and didn’t yet know anyone in the area. I didn’t let lack of business discourage me and used all the time I spent without clients to take additional courses on lash services, practice making lash fans and watching educational lash videos. I had an additional job online I worked in the evening to make up for the money I was not making in the salon but unfortunately in December of 2021 the company I worked for was sold and I was let go from my position. Without that income I could no longer justify spending my time at the salon. I felt like I couldn’t afford to keep working towards my dream anymore and planned on going back to working retail. After much thinking, dreaming and hoping, I decided I could not give up yet, I worked so hard to get to where I was to go back to where I started. I rearranged my living room, got my supplies unpacked and opened up shop from my apartment! I spent a lot of time advertising and marketing myself, I offered discounts in a lot of mom groups on Facebook and started to see more business than ever before. I met so many amazing women in the community who went out of their way to support me, most of which are still my clients today. With the experience I was getting, the quality of my work was improving and so was my client retention. In 2023 my family and I were able to move into a house with a studio space dedicated to lashing. I turned the space into my dream work room with tons of art, fun lighting, disco balls and plants. Today, I have an abundance of my amazing regular clients that I see every 2-3 weeks, my schedule stays consistent and I have some great friends in the industry. I am so grateful to set my own schedule and be there for my family without neglecting my work or the people counting on me. I am so glad I took this leap of faith with my career and kept working through the tough patches- I truly could not see myself in any other industry.
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?
It has not all been smooth sailing. The first job I got with my license was 60/40 commission, meaning that I was keeping 60% of the money I was making in the shop. I was brand new to the area and the industry and was average 2 clients a week. To keep my dream afloat I was working an online job that in the evening so that I could afford towards my goals. Unfortunately, the company I worked for was sold and I was let go from my position in December of 2021, meaning I was no longer able to stay afloat with just my salon income.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a lash artist. I do many different styles of lash extensions along with other lash services like; lash lift and tints, brow laminations and brow tinting. I specialize in anime style and volume lash sets. I am most proud of mastering the anime lash extension look and often receive referrals from other local lash techs who may not be as familiar with the style. One of my biggest strengths as a lash tech is my attention to detail and precision, I pride myself on the quality and retention of my sets. I take my time during every appointment to ensure that the application process is done cleanly and correctly, my clients being happy with my work is priority to me!
What are your plans for the future?
Right now, I don’t have a lot of plans for growing my business- I’m really happy where I’m at!
However, one day I would love one day to own my own shop. I hope to be able to help give someone else the opportunity to kick start their dreams and provide a safe and accepting space for my friends in the industry to thrive!
Pricing:
- Full sets – $150 (includes shampoo kit)
- 2 week fills – $85
- 3 week fills – $100
- Lash lift + tint- $75
- Brow lamination + tint- $55
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kclashartist.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kclashartist?igsh=MjBhamdyeTN5dnd3&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1A1btKQhLb/?mibextid=wwXIfr
