Rising Stars: Meet Shay Love

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shay Love.

Hi Shay, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, I’m Shay or Shay Love to anyone familiar with my business. I have a Lash and women’s accessory business. I don’t just sell lashes, what many don’t know is I am a Certified Surgical Technologist with a specialty in eyes. So eye health is extremely important to me! In 2020, when the pandemic struck I was a single mom with a daughter who needed to convert to virtual learning.

This was hard seeing as my family was back home in MD and there’s no such thing as virtual surgery. I had to make the tough decision to leave the operating room, yet still wanted to use my knowledge in a profitable way to support my family.

This is when Shay Love’s Lashes and Thingz was born. I officially launched on 12/05/2020 as a birthday present to myself!!

Fast forward to now I am frequently found doing pop-up shops across North Carolina. I have grown from just lashes to carrying a full line of accessories. I also install lash strips and absolutely love when someone allows me to give them their first set of lashes!! I’m truly thankful for all the support I have received on this journey!

It gives me such pleasure when a person who has never worn lashes trusts me to install their first pair and I see the joy on their face when they love the reflection in the mirror!! Making people genuinely smile makes my heart happy!!

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?
Becoming an entrepreneur is a struggle in its own right.

First, there’s leaving the security of your job and understanding that this week, sales may be through the roof while next week there may not be any. It’s a true walk of faith!! All I knew was I have this little girl depending on me to succeed. My daughter is my motivation in all that I do so failure is not an option!!

Aside from figuring things out through trial and error, I think my biggest struggle was the fact that I am not from this area. Getting myself and my business out there and not having a foundation of local support was daunting. The lash business can seem oversaturated so I needed to set myself apart!!

Being the perfectionist I am I needed to ensure that my products and customer service were top quality. Hence, I spent several months purchasing lashes from various vendors to inspect their quality and durability before my launch.

The process is much easier now after almost two years however nothing is perfect and I’m still growing. I’m always looking to keep things fresh and new, not only with my lashes but with accessories as well!! I pride myself on having items you won’t see everybody else with.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Shay Love’s Lashes and Thingz, our staple is luxury strip lashes.

I carry 18mm-30mm 3D-6D lashes. I try to have something for everybody, the novice who has never worn them before all the way to my “Lash Lovies” who are here for the glitz, glam, and flare of it all!!! I am known for having purses that you don’t see everywhere or even every day.

I’m proud because of the faith it took to start and continue my business. Being a one-woman show isn’t easy however I say all the time my small business will not always be small, I will be a household name one day!!

What matters most to you? Why?
The most important part of my life is motherhood.

Everything I do I keep my daughter, KyOmi, in the forefront of my mind. Being a business owner gives me the opportunity to teach her about finances, budgeting, people skills, and entrepreneurship. She has learned so much about the ins and outs of running a business by accompanying me at pop-up shops and even fulfilling online orders.

Business-wise, the most important thing is customer service!! I pride myself on offering the best service and care possible to all that I encounter!! I truly believe that this can make our break the success of your business!

Contact Info:

• Email: Shayloveslashes@gmail.com
• Website: Shayloveslashes.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/shayloves_lashes
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShayLovesLashes/
• Other: www.tiktok.com/shayloves_lashes