Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela.
Hi Angela, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’m from Lansing, MI. I’m 22 years old. I grew up always wanting more for myself. I’ve always been interested in the beauty industry but never really knew where I fit in. I also had the previous desire to be in the medical field. I graduated high school at Eastern High School (here in Lansing) in 2017 and got pregnant with my first daughter with my then 4-year boyfriend (now fiancé)! I was pregnant with my first daughter at 18 and was a freshman at Michigan State University studying neuroscience with the hopes of going into the medical field. I had my daughter and got pregnant again a year later with my second daughter in 2019. When I got pregnant with my second daughter is when my business started! My fiancé and I had no money, we were young and completely on our own… It was definitely a hard time for us, but something I’ve learned is that we’ve always found a way to make things work. I went from being a sales associate at Tj Maxx to a hostess at Bravo and then a CNA at a medical facility. All while being a student… I still wasn’t bringing in enough income and I wasn’t getting the time that I wanted with my family. In 2019 when I got pregnant with my second daughter, I started considering my options. I needed to make some extra money, I wanted to find something I enjoyed, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my career. I took an eyelash course and learned how to do lashes and would work on friends. 6 months later (Oct 2019) I decided to take it more serious, I had a passion for the work, I got to get creative, and enjoyed what I was doing. I enjoyed making my own schedule and had the opportunity to be at home more with my family more. I loved it. I wanted to take it further. I took a break from my 4-year college and went to trade school (or beauty school) to get my esthetician license shortly after. I got my esthetician license in 2021, a year and a half into building my business. By then my clientele grew so quick, I started getting booked weeks in advance. I knew I wanted to take the leap and I realized this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life! I can work a job I enjoy, with people I enjoy, work around my own time, and be able to spend as much time as I desire with my family. It has been the best way for me to be a successful woman and be a mother. I knew I wanted to take the next step, and that step for me was quitting my regular 9-5s and opening up my first store. I went from lashing family/friends at home in our tiny family home to a storefront that I own. Opening up the storefront was absolutely scary. My fiancé and I had just became financially stable and comfortable, and this was very important to us, especially with our two daughters. The pandemic was easing up but at the same time, there were concerns of it getting worst again (the end of 2021). I was definitely worried, but I knew I wouldn’t know if it was gonna work out unless I tried… We took all the money we had saved and put it towards my entire storefront. From flooring, painting, furniture, decor, etc. Everything was coming from our own money! I would only have the weekends to come in to renovate, it took me 10 weeks, with the help of my fiancé’s sister Tia, I got to renovate my store to fit the vision I had for my brand. After 10 weeks, passing all my inspections, and filling a couple of my booths up, I was finally ready to open! We officially opened in April 2022. 6 months later in October, and I have 5 amazing beauty professionals working alongside me now!
Opening up my business has been one of the craziest experiences I’ve endured, but I can certainly say it was the best decision I’ve ever made. It has pushed me to be the best person I can be, I created a stable foundation for my family, and I love being able to show my daughters that women are fully capable of doing anything and everything. I’ve learned so much during this process and I can’t wait to keep learning more.
I plan to go back to school to finish my degree and further my education so I can keep growing my business.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has been the bumpiest road ever. Take Michigan roads and times it by 10. There were days where I wanted to quit, thinking that my business wasn’t going to last forever or thinking “what if one day no one books me anymore???” Being a mom, and simply just the type of person I am, I’m always worried about the worst possible scenario happening. I always want to have a backup plan.
When I first started, especially the first 6 months, it was all rough. I would get maybe a client every other week, then it went to once a week, then once every other day, and then it kept growing. I had to keep learning new skills, different techniques, ways to get better, and then also things about business like social media marketing, creating my own website, managing my funds, legal stuff, etc. I was one person handling 100 different things. And when it wasn’t my business, I was learning how to become a better mom and partner, I was in school— I had so many things to juggle.
Learning how to run a business with no business background is so tough. The countless hours I’ve spent reading, learning, asking, etc. is insane. It’s not a walk in the park whatsoever!
My fiancé has supported me very well throughout this entire process and I definitely wouldn’t have made it this far without him. He’s held my hand through every part of this experience. Having at least 1 good support person can change so much. I’m so thankful he pushed me and supported me into this lifestyle (I can’t even call it just a career because it’s not. this industry is amazing!) because I love it here!
I’m also very grateful for my amazing and talented team. They have always been transparent, helpful, patient, and supportive. They communicate well with me and also help me learn how to become a better salon/spa owner and a better esthetician! A great team is also something that matters the most in your business.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Lala & Co. Beauty Parlor?
Lala & Co. Beauty Parlor offers services in all things lashes (eyelash extensions, lash lifts/tints), eyebrows (waxing, tinting, lamination), hair (cut, color, styling, etc.), skin care (facials, peels), and nails (Gel-extensions)!
We are a full-service salon/spa
Lala & Co. encourages enhancing your natural beauty, achieving all your desired looks, and providing you an environment that you can enjoy. We love our clients and love to provide great experiences and results.
What makes you happy?
My little family! My daughters are 4 and 2. My fiancé and I have been together for 8 years. And we just recently got a puppy named Ice! My family is wild, there’s always something going on and plenty of smiles. I love that I get to spend most of my days with my family!
My team at my store. Everyone makes me feel great. We all connect really well and we’re all the same age. It’s so fun and our clients enjoy it too! It feels like I work with a bunch of friends. Well, one of them is my fiancé’s sister, another is a good friend of mine, and then everyone else is just really good friends too! It works so well. It’s nice to work in an environment where everyone gets along and I’m always happy at work! I love it! Everyone’s very professional, that’s another bonus.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lalacobeauty.com
- Instagram: @lalacobeauty
- Facebook: Lala & Co. Beauty Parlor
