Lashes Make Everything Better: LashBee Interview

Who wouldn't love to say, "yes I DID wake up like this!" Well now you can, with the fabulous eyelash extensions that the ladies of LashBee have to offer! After having the opportunity to chat with the owners of LashBee, Erin and Anjali, we are now always dreaming of the newest trend that is eyelash extensions.

When and why did you both decide to start LashBee?
We first came up with the concept in the summer of 2014. I had tried lash extensions while on a trip to Korea a few months prior and was absolutely obsessed but couldn't find a quality place to keep them up in Philadelphia. Erin and I both knew we wanted to work on starting a company and had brainstormed lots of ideas but kept coming back to the lashes. We knew it has potential to be huge in Philadelphia, as well as the whole U.S.

Where did the name LashBee come from? 
Actually it was suggested by a web domain provider! We had been testing to see if different lash names were available and LashBee popped up as a suggestion. We absolutely loved it - a fun, memorable name that allows for buzz-worthy puns (see what we did there!). Given our focus on lash safety, we also liked consumers association of bees to more wholesome and organic beauty products. It also has allowed us to come up with fun names for our different style options - for example the "Busy Bee" is our set that takes the least time and the "Queen Bee" is our fullest classic set.

Having a business partner can be tricky, how did you both meet and how do you balance your roles? 
We both met before our business school classes started, while on the elevator going to an event called the "Founder's Retreat" which is put on by Wharton for MBA candidates who express a strong interest in starting their own company. After that event, we worked together on Wharton's Entrepreneurship Club Board and recognized that we had complimentary skill sets. Since we balanced each other so well, we decided to brainstorm ideas together and LashBee came out as the winner!

What are a few goals for LashBee's future that you both envision? 
One of LashBee's core principles is to always keep innovating. We have dedicated ourselves to research and development. We currently have two engineers on our team - one chemical and one industrial - helping us to continue to create better products and tools. We'd love to continue making eyelash extensions better, safer and faster!

What lash styles are your personal favorites and why? 
The fuller, the better! We absolutely love when the extensions can completely replace both mascara and eyeliner, which usually happens with the sets that have more lashes. Anjali's favorite set is the Queen Bee (classic) and Erin goes for the Mega Volume! Both can just wake up and go!

One of my favorite things to do is jam out in my car! Although this time of year I can't jam with my windows rolled down, I still enjoy turning the tunes up really loud and belting the lyrics to my favorite songs. I love FM and 96.5 AMP Radio plays Philly's New Hit Music. I got the chance to talk to Mike Adam from Mike Adam On Air at 96.5 AMP Radio and he had so much insight into how to make music your career.  

How did you get started in the industry? Is it something you always wanted to do or did it just sort of work out that way? 
I knew I wanted to have a career that revolved around music...I just wasn't sure what it was going to specifically be. One of my friends told me about Connecticut School of Broadcasting...I enrolled, and the rest is history. Once I graduated from CBS, they got me an internship with iHeart (Clear Channel at the time) and I just worked my way up the ladder. 

What advice do you have for students who want to get into your field?
You have to be resilient and motivated. Say yes to everything, and learn to love either coffee or energy drinks. I've been in the business for a little while now and I still grind out like I'm a newbie. I'm on-air Monday through Friday, 3-7 p in Philly, then Saturday and Sunday mornings in New York City. I work 7 days a week, and blog, do a web series, TV hosting, and more on top of that. You have to be a machine, and be willing to do whatever it takes to stand out from the crowd. Oh, and don't take no for answer. Your determination will wear people down...trust me. 

Who inspires you?
My mother. She raised me by  herself...worked doubles every day to give me the life and opportunities she wanted me to have. With that being said...how could I NOT work hard? She got me to this point, and being lazy or not motivated would basically be me being ungrateful for what she provided me with. Other than that, any creative, driven person inspires me. 

Who do you hope to have on your show someday? 
Interviewing Kanye was a pretty big one for me since I'm a huge fan of his. I would love to have Robert Plant on as a guest, or Chris Cornell...but that would be my last day on-air if I aired an interview with either of those guys since I'm on a top-40 radio station, haha. But as far as someone who DOES fit the format...Jay Z would be a dream come true. Love him. 

What is your favorite genre of music?
Alternative rock. Nirvana, Green Day, Black Keys, Cage The Elephant, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, etc. I'm an 80's baby, so I grew up in that Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam era...but I also love some of the new guys like Arctic Monkeys for instance. 

 

Love & Likes

Why do we look so happy? Because we can finally spill the beans... Piqued PR is now offering social media for weddings! We call this new service (which by the way is the hottest trend in weddings), Love & Likes by Piqued PR and we're so excited to bring it to the Main Line and Philly. 

A wedding is the most important event of your life. Countless hours and hundreds of dollars are put into your special day. There’s the planner to design every aspect of the day, the hair and makeup artist to make you look your best, the DJ or band to add music to the moment and the photographer to capture it all. But what about the publicist to market and publicize your wedding? 

That's where we come in! Piqued PR is introducing Love and Likes, a social media consulting and concierge service for brides to accompany your wedding. 

You'll learn a lot more about Love & Likes over the next few weeks but in the meantime let us leave you with these pretty images. Hair and makeup was done by the fabulous Gabriella Iannucci, photography by talented Haley Cairo, invites created by Simply Serendipity Press, stunning flowers by Q/A Designs, wedding dress from The Wedding Pavilion and modeled by Corrin. 

An outfit is never complete without an accessory! Fisayo Quadri, happiness curator and accessory creator, has the perfect added touch for you! We got the chance to learn more about Fisayo, Oh Lou and her future plans. Check it out below! 

When and how did you start Love Oh Lou? 

I’ve always had a knack for the shiny things in life. Anything with sequins, glitter, and confetti is just a part of who I am. In my nineteen years of life, the one thing that has remained consistent is my love for fashion, philanthropy and entrepreneurship. I launched Oh Lou in November of 2014 out of my desire to provide exquisite accessories that not only enhance external beauty but also encourage internal beauty by satisfying the needs of members in the community.

What inspired you to branch out into Oh Lou Silver Spoon Initiative? Any personal connection to D.C, where one food item is donated for every item sold in the initiative? 

Growing up in the Washington DC metropolitan area, I had the opportunity to frequently give back through community service. Oh Lou actually resulted from my experience with Project CHIC (#1000Headbands4StJude). The Silver Spoon Initiative was created in support of Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. It represents my belief that no matter what financial background someone may come from, no one should be denied access to the basic necessity of food.

How do you handle being a student at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY as well as run Oh Lou? Any advice for college students who want to have a creative outlet too? 

I’m learning how to prioritize my priorities. Essentially, it’s about knowing what needs to get done and disciplining yourself to find balance. The good thing is that I’m a fashion major so everything I do relates back to Oh Lou. My best advice is to find what works for you and be patient while perfecting your skill.  Don’t measure your success by someone else’s standards.

What do you see yourself doing after graduation?

My options after graduation are wide open! The one thing I know for sure is that I’ll continue to develop Oh Lou.

As an accessory creator, what is a must have accessory that you believe everyone should have in their collection?

This might sound cheesy but I would definitely say a smile! It doesn’t cost a thing and can make you feel so much better.

Get Your Glow On!

If you ask me, who wouldn't want to glow all year around?! Marla Sacchetta, owner of And So It Glows, brings the best glow to you with her mobile spray tanning service. Using top of the line Norvell products for spray tans, the product is paraben free, gluten free, and 100% vegan. This week we wanted to spotlight Marla, her amazing business, and how you can keep your skin glowing all year long! 

How did you get into the spray tanning business?

One of my best friends brought the idea to me and we started the business together initially, and now I am branched off to do my own thing. 

Do you have any tips to achieving the perfect spray tan?

Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! Be sure to shower and exfoliate before your session and do not wear anything except dark, loose clothing to the session. No make-up, perfume, deodorant or lotions. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize after your first shower which should be 24 hours after your spray session (if you can last that long). 

How do you balance being a wife, mother, and business owner? And so successful in all three! 

Well... that is nice to say... The best advice I can give anyone is to keep your sense of humor and to perfect time management!!! It's all about the balance. In today's world we are all so busy, even kids. It's important to stop and take time for yourself. If I am not the best version of myself both mentally and physically, I am not good for anyone else. Having a great support system is key too. Without the help of family and my babysitter I couldn't do what I do. Be present... whatever you are doing at that time, if it's doing something with your kids, or thinking of a new business initiative, etc. Be present and stay focused and on task. Set attainable goals! And just get your S#%$ DONE! lol. 

What are your goals for And So It Glows? 

Pitbull calls himself "Mr. Worldwide," I am going to be "Mrs. Worldwide" in the mobile sunless tanning industry, LOL. Seriously, my goals for this year are to be sure when people think of sunless tanning they think of And So It Glows. I want to always have a stellar reputation of being a reliable, dependable, and top-notch company. I plan to bring more staff on my team so that we can reach people efficiently, providing more flexibility for my clients. I am always brainstorming of where or who And So It Glows can partner with. Long term, I see us having a presence in NJ and DE as well as PA. I will start selling retail products in the Fall and I would love to someday have a "Tan Van;" I think it would be great to have for parties and events. How fun would it be for the Tan Van to roll up and inside you can get your sunless tan, hang out with your friends, and have some food and drinks??? I mean, come on!!! Last, I love that I can use this business as a platform to educate people of all ages on the benefits of getting a sunless tan. Although we all enjoy a little Vitamin D, which isn't a bad thing, we all need to be aware of the harmful effects of UV rays both naturally and from tanning beds! Sorry, it's the truth. 

What is your personal favorite custom color option?

Venetian Plus all day long!!! It's gorg and makes you feel like you just came back from an exotic trip. It's beautiful on any skin type too. Not to mention I go into the tent looking like my normal self and come out looking like Sofia Vergara. At least in my own mind I do!

Aside from house calls and private parties, where can people find And So It Glows traveling to next?!

For the latest and greatest places, check out my site at www.andsoitglows.com. I will be a social media expert before it's all over too; Patricia has a challenge ahead of her with trying to coach me along with this stuff. I will be doing a party at Scout and Molly's in the Glen Eagle Shopping Center on Tuesday, February 9th, 16th, and 23rd from 5 till 8pm! Come see me and get your GLOW on!

Is there any fun fact about yourself you'd like to share?

So I randomly met Mel Gibson when he was filming the movie Signs at Smith and Wollensky's in the Rittenhouse Hotel in Philly. I had a business meeting there and my team went to the bar for a few drinks after and he walked into the bar and sat right next to me. I was so star struck, but I easily am anyway, that after I shook his hand I told him I had to go into the restroom to call my parents to tell them who I was with. He was super nice and he commented that he liked my name and I said to him, "don't you think it's the kind of name that should be on a billboard or under a star on the Walk of Fame?" LOL. He has a horseshoe shaped kidney, by the way.  

Come On Barbie... Let's Go Party!

I love birthdays. I mean LOVE. It even says so in my Instagram bio. So when I celebrated my birthday on January 17th you bet I went all out. Each year I try to have a theme. Personally, I think it's easier to plan and decorate with one and it allows your friends to really get into it.

This year... Barbie. Yep. I was obsessed with these plastic little ladies when I was younger. I probably played with them well beyond an age that was socially acceptable. The theme was a no brainer but instead of doing the classic black and white stripe with accents of pink I opted for a more 90s throwback Barbie color scheme with pastel ombre and touches of gold. Fun, right?!

My cake and cookies were by The Createrie. I work with Aly often for my parties and even client events. She's so creative and always gets my vision. I'm more of a vanilla girl so it was vanilla on vanilla and sugar cookies with icing. The cupcakes though? They were by my sweet mom. 

True story: I still have my Barbie house from when I was little. I'm saving it for my future daughter. But since that's forever away, for my party I converted the house to my "Barbie Bar" where the signature drink of the night was "Patricia's Punch" uh duh. 

These ombre plates from Hattan Home totally inspired the color scheme I mentioned above. And if it's not on Facebook it didn't happen, right? So of course I made a Barbie box Photo Booth. We had TOO much fun with it.

I got a lot of questions on my dress, it's by Camilyn Beth and totally adorable. Earrings were my new favorite tassels from Piqued PR client Lisi Lerch. I stopped in Tribe Beauty for the first time ever before my party where they did my hair and makeup. They made me into a modern hostess with the mostest Barbie.

Business Babe: Mix & Match Design Company

Meet Chaney the designer behind the e-design services of Mix and Match Design Company. She's making the design process approachable and the it affordable to live in a well designed casa.

When and why did you decide to create your business? What was the light bulb moment?

I decided to create Mix & Match Design Company in the spring of 2015 after having spent the past several years writing a design/DIY blog (May Richer Fuller Be) and helping friends and family with design in their homes. I've always had a passion for helping people make their homes into places they love and wanted to be able to offer that as a service to a broader audience. The lightbulb moment came when I realized there are a whole bunch of folks out there who would never think or want to hire a traditional interior designer, but still want help choosing pieces and designing spaces in their homes in an affordable, approachable way that fits their schedules and budgets. E-design is a perfect fit for those needs and thus, Mix & Match was born!

What is your background and how did this help prepare you in regards to your business?

Oddly enough, my schooling and professional background are in something completely unrelated to design - medicine and healthcare. I've been pursuing creative endeavors on the side for a long time though, starting way back in high school when I started a ribbon belt business! I've spent the last several years honing my design skills primarily through writing my blog and designing spaces in both my own home and others'. Those experiences have had the biggest impact on preparing me to launch my business. 

What do you believe sets your business apart from others and competitors?

E-design is a nascent industry, so our primary focus is helping customers who wouldn't hire a traditional interior designer realize that affordable services are available through e-design. It's not all or nothing anymore! There are several e-design companies out there offering various services. Mix & Match Design Company differentiates itself by offering a more approachable set of services, which range from full custom room design to "finishing touches." For example, I've helped customers with everything from simply picking out a couple of rugs all the way up to planning a full master bedroom design in a new construction home. We also offer consultations by the hour and pre-designed "in-stock" design boards. 

What do you consider your greatest success?

My greatest success is taking a chance to start my own business. I never thought I would consider myself to be an entrepreneur, but I'm embracing that title now! To me, being successful is about taking a risk and following your passions, not necessarily making millions of dollars (although that would be nice, right?).

What is your favorite form of marketing and why?

Word-of-mouth recommendations. There's nothing better than a happy customer spreading the word to friends and family and giving them a personal recommendation to check out Mix & Match Design Company!