Today we’d like to introduce you to Doneesha Johnson.
Hi Doneesha, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started out in the medical field mostly in Dermatology, I worked and trained at one of the top Dermatology offices in Michigan, they specialized in acne along with treatments for a ton of other skin conditions. I worked hands-on with patients performing treatments such as chemical peels and IPL Laser to name a few. I then found out my husband and I were expecting a baby and I was put on bed rest the whole pregnancy. After the delivery of my son, I didn’t return to the dermatology office but went on to teach Medical Assisting. I became a Medical Assistant Instructor at Ross Medical Education Center and quickly determined I missed skincare. I wanted to return but needed a more flexible schedule. I decided to become a Licensed Esthetician. This would open up an array of opportunities. At least that’s what I hoped for. My ultimate goal was to own my own business operating as a solo provider. I wanted to return to the doctor’s office but it was extremely hard to find a job in a medical office as an Esthetician. I would submit my resume, attend interviews, and nothing! I had always interviewed well and most of the time I would come away with the job. That rejection was the exact push I needed towards my future. It made me more determined to be successful even if I had to step out on my own to make it. So that’s exactly what I did!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Ha! It absolutely has not been a smooth road. It’s definitely been a process. Some of the obstacles I’ve had to face were small and others not so small. Building clientele is always a challenge. I found out it was very true when they say on an average, it takes a business 3-5 years to really see a profit. In the beginning, it was more of just trying to get the word about my business out there as much as possible. It started more so with my personal circle and word of mouth. I didn’t do a lot of advertising on social media when I started. About 90% of my clients came from the referral of one of my already loyal clients. I also connected to other professionals in the industry. They’re called synergy partners. For example, my hairstylist at the time would refer a lot of her clients to me and I would refer to her as well. When building in the beginning stages some weeks you may be booked solid and other weeks you may think you’re going to be shut down and closed for good. It truly can be a roller coaster ride. Another struggle for me has been finding a balance between the business life and home life. Obviously, you want to be successful but with success takes hard work and a lot of sacrifice. many people think you have it easier since you run your own business. Simply put, that’s not always true. There are some pros and cons to owning your own business. For instance, most entrepreneurs work really long hours and have to take some of the problems and issues from the office home with them. It truly is a sacrifice at times but it’s the cost of success. You just have to find that balance. I think you definitely need a great system and great support. What also fuels and centers me is my faith and relationship with God.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We have been an established business for 5 years this upcoming May. We offer an array of services from semi-permanent lash extensions to skincare. I specialize in corrective skincare treatments such as acne and hyperpigmentation. We are known for our customized skincare programs. These programs are designed in a way that the products and treatments used are specific to the clients’ personal needs, we work with 3 different product lines and they render amazing results! One of our lines has a 90% success rate for the clearing of acne and hyperpigmentation alone, we also have treatments that focus on anti-aging. All of our products are professional-grade and returns top results. The best part is our programs are affordable. We have tried to make LL Studio & Skincare more of a one-stop shop in regards to our beauty services. Other services offered are semi-permanent lash extensions, LED therapy, waxing to name a few, We now have a Lash Stylist and Brow Specialist on staff that provides brow mapping, brow waxing, brow threading, brow tinting, henna, and brow make up. Basically, all things brows. We also offer educational courses. One, in particular, helps other entrepreneurs in the formation of their business. What I would like readers to know about my brand is LL Studio & Skincare is not your average spa-based business, when it comes to our skincare and corrective treatments we are known for results. That’s what we pride ourselves on, I like to take the basic and make it grande! When you step through our doors it’s an experience you won’t forget.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I first would like to say, I think everyone should have a mentor. I have had multiple mentors. Mentors help to lead and guide you. They have the ability to look from the outside in and analyze the business and see what needs to be done to take the business to a higher level. I even found one mentor on social media. She was offering classes to professionals in my industry. She had one seat left and I signed up. It was one of the best courses I could have taken. It catapulted my business to the next level. I would recommend asking around and networking with other professionals to find the perfect mentor for you. We also offer mentorship after taking our entrepreneurship course. You can find the details of that course on our website.
Contact Info:
- Email: skincaregeek.dj@gmail.com
- Website: lavishlylashedstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llstudioandskincare
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/lavishlylashedstudio
Image Credits:
LL Studio & Skincare
