Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Mendez.
Hi Melanie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I graduated with a degree in Media and Communication Studies, hoping to get into the marketing field. I did, for a while—I was Marketing Director for a Columbus-based plastic surgeon—but then, the pandemic hit. During the lockdown, I ultimately decided to take the leap and work for myself.
I’ve always adored the world of beauty, and while I never envisioned myself as an actual service provider (I figured my involvement would stay in the marketing realm), coming across the lash extension process one day had me absolutely mesmerized. The intricacy it takes, the creativity involved, having the ability to make people feel beautiful in their own skin; I loved every part of it. My entire trajectory shifted, and it led to me obtaining my esthetics license, becoming lash certified, and starting Muse. Now, I’m a mobile lash artist who happily serves the Cleveland area with eyelash services that they don’t even have to leave the house for.
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?
Running a successful and profitable business has no lack of challenges. The challenge I’ve overcome that has made the best impact on my business, though, is having to face the fact that my business is exactly that – a business. Early on in this journey, I tried my absolute best to go above and beyond for all of my clients. Unfortunately, on occasion, this led to people mistaking my kindness for exploitability. I found myself negotiating my prices, giving refunds that weren’t justified, working outside my typical hours, and the list goes on.
Although this left every single client happy, it wasn’t a profitable way to conduct business. At the end of the day I had to accept that as long as I’m using high-quality products and providing the best service I can possibly give, everything else is out of my control. Today, I have policies like non-refundable deposits, fixed working hours, and non-negotiable prices which allows Muse to be successful and, in turn, allow me to continue to do what I love.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a lash artist, and it is my belief that since my clients are my muses, it’s my job, as the artist, to go to them. I’m known for providing a luxury lash experience that prioritizes the health of my client’s natural lashes, completing pre- and post-service treatments that will set them up for the best retention possible, explaining what I’m doing every step of the way, and educating them on best practices for aftercare.
It’s important to me that since their eyes are closed during most of the service, my clients are understanding everything that’s going on, as well as what they need to be doing to take care of their lashes in between sessions. This communication is something that I’ve been told various times that not all lash artists do, so aside from creating beautiful sets, it’s something that I really pride myself in.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The lash industry is growing rapidly, and will only continue to do so over the next decade. There are endless opportunities for lash artists to start and grow their businesses; not only in providing the service itself but also in developing courses and training, creating products (for both artists and clients), collaborating with other artists and lash brands, writing e-books in various niches, launching podcasts, the list goes on and on.
It’s a relatively new industry that is constantly evolving, so it’s up to every lash artist to keep up with new methods, styles, and techniques to offer their clients the best services possible. It’s also a great industry for new artists and entrepreneurs to enter, as it doesn’t seem to be slowing any time soon—it is part of the beauty industry after all.
Pricing:
- Full Set — $200
- Standard (2-week) Fill — $120
- Extended (3-week Fill) — $140
- Mini (1-week) Fill — $80
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.musebeauty.co/
- Instagram: instagram.com/musebeautycleveland
- Facebook: facebook.com/musebeautycleveland
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/muse-beauty-cleveland
