Show Notes:

In this episode of the Beyond Beauty Podcast, the host interviews Michelle Nguyen, a self-taught lash artist and entrepreneur. Michelle shares her inspiring journey from an immigrant with limited English skills to a successful businesswoman in the beauty industry. She discusses her transition from a salon owner to founding Paris Lash Academy and establishing multiple lash manufacturers in Vietnam. The conversation highlights Michelle's challenges, including cultural expectations and business hurdles, and her strategies for overcoming them. Emphasizing the importance of passion, education, and resilience, Michelle offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs in the beauty industry.

About Michelle:

Coming to the scene as a self-taught lash artist in 2008, Michelle Nguyen knew how difficult it could be to truly break into the beauty industry. She has continuously studied the art and science of eyelashes and was double-certified through Lash Inc. and NALA. After running her salon for 6 years, Michelle ultimately decided to sell it to focus on Paris Lash Academy — a way to share her vast lashing experience with lash artists all around the world.

She is proud to own multiple lash manufacturers in Vietnam, where she was born and raised on a coffee farm. These manufacturers allow Michelle to give back to her community, providing jobs for over 700 women who would otherwise be working in harsh farming environments. Since launching PLA about 5 years ago in her father’s garage, it has grown exponentially.

Education has always been at the forefront of Michelle’s mission. Through PLA, Michelle can teach fellow beauty professionals at any level and provide private labeling opportunities as well. She loves giving back to the industry by being a resource to anyone who needs support or guidance.

Michelle is a proud mother of two children, loves murder mystery shows, and would love to retire on a farm someday.

Timestamps:

Michelle's Background (00:01:00 )

Michelle shares her journey as a self-taught lash artist and her experiences in the beauty industry.

Early Career Journey (00:02:15 )

Michelle discusses her immigration story and initial challenges in the beauty field.

Discovering Eyelash Extensions (00:03:14 )

Michelle describes her first experience with eyelash extensions and her decision to pursue this career.

Transitioning to Entrepreneurship (00:04:10 )

Michelle outlines her journey from lash artist to salon owner and now a manufacturer.

Manufacturing in Vietnam (00:07:01 )

Michelle explains her transition from salon ownership to establishing manufacturers in Vietnam.

Starting the Manufacturing Business (00:09:03 )

Michelle shares the challenges and motivations behind starting her own lash manufacturing business.

Product Offerings (00:11:19 )

Overview of the semi-permanent eyelash extensions produced for lash artists.

Marketing Strategies (00:12:27 )

Discussion on how Michelle's company achieves growth without traditional advertising.

Entrepreneurial Challenges (00:14:35 )

Michelle reflects on unexpected challenges faced as an entrepreneur, particularly in business structure.

Scaling the Business (00:17:21 )

Insights on the importance of delegation and bringing in experts to grow the business.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs (00:19:31 )

Michelle emphasizes the necessity of passion and dedication in the competitive beauty industry.

Hiring Smart People (00:21:38 )

Emphasizes the value of hiring talented individuals and learning from them.

Resiliency in Entrepreneurship (00:22:02 )

Explores the importance of resilience and solution-oriented thinking in business challenges.

Navigating Industry Noise (00:22:48 )

Michelle shares how to focus on goals amidst distractions in the beauty industry.

Social Media's Impact (00:23:35 )

Discusses how social media allows brands to scale and connect with audiences.

Advice for Young Entrepreneurs (00:25:33 )

Encourages young entrepreneurs to disregard outside opinions and take risks.