Get To Know Lash Line's Founder Jessi Love

We want to introduce you to the people who make Lash Line the wonderful place it is!

Today we're talking to the founder and Boss B*%#! Jessi Love! Without her vision, grit, and dedication, Lash Line wouldn't exist! She is the hardest working and most inspirational business woman, wife, AND mother! How does she manage it all?

Last week you got to know Lash Line's beauty! This week get to know our business beast (Jessi approved this message ;))

Why did you start Lash Line?

To be straight up – I noticed such a lack of quality training when it came to potential hires coming in to L. Lash Bar at the time – it’s now Lash Common. They would come in very confident with their resumes showing that they were multi certified. This means to an owner of a lash salon that they won’t need to put a ton of training or work into this new staff member. They would then come in for a model interview, and their work was nowhere near up to par. They were practicing old-school methods of taping or application and weren’t even taught to focus on 1:1 application. I saw a very large gap in training AND product lines. There were issues with reliability, products that weren’t outrageously expensive, and brands that I wanted to purchase from! I felt like a lot of the big CEOs of those companies weren’t real or authentic. I couldn’t relate to their products, their brands and to be honest – because of this I didn’t want to give them my money.

How did you know it was time to bring on a partner for Lash Line?

I got blindsided by this in the most positive and rewarding way ever. To be honest, the problem in my business was not knowing my weaknesses and being able to delegate. I was obviously drowning in work and I was on a plane with Cara (who is now my partner). She asked me if I had ever considered a partner. Immediately my ego got in the way, and I didn’t say anything out loud – but I thought - "I don’t need a partner. Does it seem like I need a partner? I have my shit handled". If I hadn't had that ah-ha moment and realized my ego was getting in the way - that could have possibly cost Lash Line its future. It would have stayed small and wouldn’t have 10x’d like it has now with Cara as my partner. I did not know I needed a partner until my now partner pointed it out. It's kind of funny because it is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I didn’t need be good at everything and I could delegate my weaknesses out. No CEO is good at everything. What they are good at is recognizing their weaknesses and delegating tasks (even if it costs money). There is no way you can be strong in every area.

What’s one of your favourite memories from the past year?

I have two – the first is personal and business because I couldn’t have one without the other. I manifested my dream home. I would drive past the Windermere sign almost everyday and take a photo. I found a house I absolutely loved in Windermere and said that house will be mine. Even if that exact home wasn’t going to be mine, I knew I wanted to live in that area. I didn’t know I was actually going to purchase that original home I fell in love with. I never thought I could afford it, and within 3 months there were so many changes personally and with Lash Line that changed the way my financial future was going. I couldn’t believe that I could manifest something so huge and make it come true within 3 months.

One of my favourite business memories was the day we launched our first online course – Volume Mastery. We did the most revenue we had ever done in 3 hours. DURING A PANDEMIC.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

I’m actually quite sensitive. I have a tough exterior but I am loyal to the core and care so much for the people I love. I am also a boxing fanatic! If I chose any other path in life, I would have become a professional boxer. I would still love to train like crazy and enter an amateur match one day!

What’s something—big or small—that you’re really good at?

I haven’t always been good at this – but communication. It is what I do very well, and am very confident in. I am very good at reading people. Within five minutes of meeting someone, I can usually tell what they’re like. I can tell their communication style, how to approach them and how to deal with them in certain situations. I know different tactics to complete things in the most efficient way based on their personality.

How do you determine who is the right hire when adding to your team?

There are multiple factors when choosing any member of your team (whether it is someone who packs orders, someone who does graphic design, or someone who does customer service). It doesn’t matter if they are front of house or back of house. Your company culture is the most important (figure that out if you haven’t already). If you’re working with a smaller team – it is important to find members who compliment your team.

 The things I look for when hiring a new team member:

- Work experience (it can tell you a lot about a person). Their experience doesn’t need to be in the field they are being hired for.

- Their personality

- Respect

- Work Ethic

- Do they align with what your company stands for? (Lash Line is authentic and we look for authentic people). Don’t tell me what I want to hear in an interview – I understand people get nervous and want to present their best selves but don’t bullshit me and tell me what I want to hear. Be yourself! Be real, be funny, be loyal, be respectful.

I always try to hire within. I would rather move someone to a higher position that has worked at the bottom. I don’t care if you have the education or experience. If they are loyal, hardworking, authentic, they take initiative, and if I can trust them, they are the right choice for the job. 

If you have someone who has been by your side for the last year or two and you feel they have the willingness to learn and grow, they will work harder and be more dedicated to you because you showed that you trust and believe in them.

What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?

Someone saying that I was well spoken. The reason why this stands out for me is because I have struggled my whole life and even now as adult with ADHD. It has progressively gotten worse as I’ve gotten older. When I would try to articulate my thoughts clearly in a video, or even talking to someone - I felt like I was stunted or tongue tied. I felt like I knew what I wanted to say but I could never get my thoughts out to the level that I knew I was capable of. When I finally went on medication and got the help I needed in order to focus my brain and compartmentalize the thoughts I wanted to articulate I was a whole different person. To be told I was a great speaker was the most impactful compliment for me. I’m so happy I finally got the assistance I needed to be the best Educator, Owner, and the best communicator and leader for my team.

 I have also been told that I am inspirational and motivating while doing it in the most authentic way – there is no better compliment.

What is the best advice you ever received and who was it from?

The best advice I ever received was from my dad.  He said “There is great satisfaction in doing things for yourself instead of being given everything”. My parents taught me from an early age that I was only entitled to things I worked for. That really shaped me and resulted in the great work ethic I have today.

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Nuts, Loud, and hardworking. I would also like to say funny – but I do steal a lot of my friends’ jokes. (Sebrena here – for the record Jessi is just louder than me. I make the jokes. She hears them, repeats them loudly for everyone to hear and people think she’s hilarious).

Thanks for joining us again today! We hope you gained a TON of insight into our founder and Co-Owner Jessi and how + why Lash Line was started! Jessi is one of a kind, and the best leader for Lash Line. 

We'll be back next week with our Director of Operations Sebrena! Get to know Lash Line's wonder woman and find out how she balances being a full-time mom, wife, and working!